If you’ve ever been involved in a truck accident, you know how complicated it can get when dealing with the aftermath of the crash. Not only are you dealing with physical pain, emotional stress and the aftermath of the crash but you’re also up against a trucking company that has a team of lawyers working hard to pay you as little as possible. Unfortunately these companies will use every trick in the book to avoid responsibility and pay as little as possible.
At Steinberg Injury Lawyers we’ve seen it all and we’re here to expose the sneaky tricks trucking companies use. From blaming the victim to lowball settlements these companies don’t always play fair. So if you’ve been in a truck accident here’s what you need to know about their tactics and how a truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.
1. Deny Liability and Shift the Blame
One of the most common tactics trucking companies use to avoid paying victims is to deny any responsibility for the accident. They may blame you or another driver for the incident, hoping you’ll be too overwhelmed to challenge them. In some cases trucking companies will even argue the accident was caused by factors outside their control like weather conditions or road hazards. The goal is to make it seem like the trucking company had nothing to do with the crash.
Thousands of people are killed each year in crashes involving large trucks. While many of these fatalities are linked to factors like driver behavior or road conditions, trucking companies often attempt to shift the blame to other drivers or external circumstances to reduce their liability. Even though multiple parties can contribute to these accidents, trucking companies frequently use this data to avoid taking full responsibility making it harder for victims to secure the compensation they deserve.
This can be really frustrating especially if you know the trucking company was at fault. But don’t be fooled. Just because they say they aren’t liable doesn’t mean they’re telling the truth. Trucking companies have lawyers who specialize in passing the buck and making it hard for victims to prove their case.
If you’ve been in an accident with a truck you need to make sure you document everything. Take pictures of the scene, get witness statements and write down any details you can remember. A truck crash lawyer will help you gather all the evidence needed to prove liability and hold the trucking company accountable.
2. Downplay Your Injuries
Trucking companies will downplay the severity of your injuries to minimize their liability. When you’re in a truck accident you might feel fine immediately after or you might have injuries that don’t show up right away. Unfortunately trucking companies will use this to their advantage, saying “You’re not really hurt” or “It’s just a minor injury you’ll be fine.”
This tactic is especially common in cases where victims have soft tissue injuries like whiplash or where the injuries don’t show up on X-rays right away. Trucking companies know some injuries take time to manifest and hope to get you to settle before the full extent of your injuries becomes clear.
Always seek medical attention even if you feel fine after the accident. Injuries like whiplash, concussions and internal injuries can be hard to detect right away.
When you seek medical care immediately it helps protect your case and ensures any injuries are properly documented. A lawyer who specializes in truck accidents will work with medical professionals to make sure your injuries are taken seriously.
3. Make You Wait and Drag Out the Settlement Process
One of the most frustrating tactics trucking companies use is to drag out the settlement process. After an accident you may be eager to get your life back on track. However trucking companies know the longer they make you wait the more likely you are to accept a lowball settlement just to move on with your life.
Trucking companies use delays to wear you down. They might take weeks or even months to respond to your claims, hoping you’ll get frustrated and settle for whatever offer they make. They might ask for more paperwork, request unnecessary investigations or simply ignore your communications in the hopes you’ll give up.
Don’t let them wear you down. While waiting for a fair settlement can be frustrating it’s important to stay persistent. A truck accident lawyer can help keep the pressure on the trucking company and ensure they don’t continue to delay the process. If necessary they can file a lawsuit to push the case forward.
4. Offer a Quick Lowball Settlement
After a truck accident you may be offered a settlement that seems too good to pass up. Trucking companies know victims are financially stressed and might take whatever offer they make just to cover immediate expenses. These quick offers are almost always lower than what you are entitled to but trucking companies hope you will take the money and move on.
They might offer you a settlement right after the accident while you’re still in shock and don’t fully understand the extent of your injuries or damages. The settlement might seem fair at first glance but once you accept it you can’t go back and ask for more money even if your injuries turn out to be more severe than originally thought.
Never accept a settlement offer without first consulting with your personal injury attorney. A truck accdient injury lawyer will be able to evaluate the offer, taking into account your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. They’ll make sure the settlement you accept is fair and reflects the true cost of your injuries.
5. Blame Mechanical Failure or Use the "Truck Was Fine" Excuse
Sometimes trucking companies will try to avoid liability by saying the accident was caused by mechanical failure. This is often used in cases where the truck’s brakes failed, the tires blew out or the truck’s load was improperly secured. While mechanical failure is certainly a possibility trucking companies will use this excuse to avoid responsibility and avoid paying damages.
The problem with this tactic is it’s often hard for the average person to verify whether mechanical failure truly caused the accident. If a trucking company claims their vehicle was well maintained and a mechanical failure occurred unexpectedly they might avoid paying out your claim.
Investigate the cause of the accident thoroughly. A lawyer can help get maintenance records, check if the truck was properly inspected and hire experts to examine the vehicle. They’ll make sure the trucking company is held accountable if mechanical failure was the cause.
6. Dispute the Evidence of Victims Involved and Question Your Proof
When you’ve been in a truck accident gathering evidence is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your case. However trucking companies will often dispute the evidence you provide. They might say dash cam footage isn’t clear, eyewitness testimony isn’t reliable or the photos you took aren’t conclusive.They do this because they want to create doubt about who was at fault and weaken your case. The more they can discredit your evidence the more likely they can get out of paying you what you’re owed.
If you have evidence such as photos, videos or witness statements make sure to give them to your lawyer as soon as possible. They’ll know how to preserve and present this evidence to strengthen your case. Lawyers can also help get additional evidence if needed such as vehicle black box data or trucking logs.
Stand Up for Yourself After an Accident with Help From Steinberg Injury Lawyers
It’s never easy dealing with a truck accident especially when trucking companies use underhanded tactics to avoid paying victims. These companies will do everything in their power to avoid taking responsibility and to pay as little as possible. But you don’t have to face them alone.
If you’ve been in a truck accident you need to know the tactics trucking companies will use to fight your claim. The best way to protect yourself is to get in touch with an experienced truck accident lawyer who can help you through the process, gather the right evidence and fight for what you’re owed.
At Steinberg Injury Lawyers we’ve been helping accident victims in Southern California for years and we know how to handle trucking companies and their tricks. If you’ve been in a truck accident call us today. We’ll make sure your rights are protected and you get the settlement you deserve.
