April 15, 2024 | Uncategorized
Involved in a commercial truck accident? You are far from alone. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports that there were nearly 6,000 tractor-trailer accidents in the state in 2021. The aftermath of a large truck accident can be extremely stressful. You may get a call from an insurance adjuster just a few days after a crash. Why are they calling? Insurance adjusters want to take a statement—and their goal is to use your statements against you in the claims process. Here, our Oklahoma City semi-truck accident attorney explains why an insurance adjuster will call you after a crash and what you should do to protect your rights. McGuire Law Firm can represent you if you were injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma.
Semi-Trucks are Covered By Commercial Insurance Liability Policies
As a starting point, it is important to emphasize that tractor-trailers in Oklahoma are generally covered by large commercial insurance policies. A fully loaded commercial truck may be 30 times larger than a standard passenger vehicle. Due to the inherent risk of causing extreme damage, large trucks are mandated to carry substantial commercial liability insurance policies.
When you are involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler, you will generally deal with the trucking company’s insurance provider. It is unlikely the truck driver or truck company itself will reach out to you after an accident, though anything is possible. Still, it is far more typical to receive a call from an insurance adjuster.
Why They Call: The Insurance Adjuster Wants a Recorded Statement
After a truck accident, insurance adjusters usually act quickly. They often try to contact those involved in a crash within a few days. You could even receive a call from a truck company’s insurance carrier the very next day. Why do insurance adjusters call injured victims? The primary goal of these early calls is to obtain a recorded statement from you. On the phone, insurance adjusters are trained to come off as friendly and disarming. The adjusters will present a call as a routine part of the process—potentially even saying or implying that a giving statement will expedite your claim. However, the true purpose is to gather information that can be used to minimize the company’s liability.
Warning: Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in a manner that may lead you to inadvertently admit fault or downplay the severity of your injuries or the impact on your life.
Why You Should Not Answer: Insurance Adjusters Will Use Your Words Against You
Be very careful when dealing with insurance company representatives—especially after a large truck accident. Unfortunately, speaking to insurance adjusters without proper preparation can undermine Their skill in conducting these conversations and can lead you to provide statements that seem harmless but can be taken out of context in ways that weaken your position.
As an example, mentioning you were driving at the speed limit can be twisted into an admission of not adjusting speed to road conditions. Alternatively, saying something innocuous like “I’m feeling better” could be used to downplay the severity of your injuries. Insurance adjusters are not independent fact-finders. They call injured victims as part of their defense strategy.
Protect Yourself By Working With Insurers Through an Oklahoma City Truck Accident Attorney
How do you take on the insurance company after a truck accident? Do not do it alone. Instead, the best way to navigate the inherent complexity of the personal injury claims process is to work with a top-tier Oklahoma semi-truck accident attorney. Your lawyer will protect your rights. Among other things, an attorney will understand the tactics insurance adjusters use and advise you on how to communicate without jeopardizing your claim. Further, your Oklahoma truck accident attorney can handle all interactions with the insurance company. You are never required to provide a recorded statement without representation from an attorney. It is your right to have an attorney by your side through each and every step of the legal claims process.
Consult With Our Oklahoma City Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Today
At McGuire Law Firm, our Oklahoma semi-truck accident attorneys fight tirelessly to protect the rights of injured victims. If you were in a truck accident and you are facing calls from an insurance adjuster, it is imperative that you consult with a lawyer. Give us a call now or contact us online for a free, no-obligation initial case review with a top-tier attorney. We handle semi-truck accident claims in Oklahoma City, Lawton, Edmond, Tulsa, and throughout the State of Oklahoma.