Commercial Truck Insurance Disputes
If you were recently in a semi-truck accident, you may be dealing with severe injuries, expensive property damage, and mounting medical bills. The last thing you should deal with is trying to resolve a dispute regarding commercial truck insurance in Georgia. If the trucking company or their insurer is disputing your claim or refusing to make a fair settlement offer, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you fight back and demand the money you deserve.
Will the Commercial Truck Insurance Cover My Injuries and Losses?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all trucks and commercial vehicles engaged in interstate commerce to carry certain minimum levels of liability insurance. If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, this insurance could cover your:
- Medical care and treatment, both past and future
- Lost wages for time missed due to injuries
- Reduced earning capacity if your injuries hinder your future wages
- Pain and suffering for your physical pain and mental anguish
- Property damage
Common Disputes in Commercial Truck Insurance Claims
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to minimize payouts to truck accident victims so they can maximize their profits. As such, they might dispute the following to try to pay you less in a truck accident claim:
- Injury Severity – Insurers may argue that you are exaggerating the extent of your injuries and their effect on your life. They might also argue that you worsened your injuries or that they are unconnected with the accident.
- Policy Limits – The company may argue that the policy does not cover certain losses or that it has already been exhausted and no more funds are available.
- Fault Determination – The insurance company may claim you are partly or wholly at fault to reduce the payout. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, under which you cannot recover compensation if you are 50 percent or more responsible for the crash.
- Pre-Existing Conditions – Insurance companies may argue that your injuries are from a pre-existing condition rather than the truck accident.
Taking Action After an Accident
You are not responsible for an insurance company’s potentially harmful or nefarious actions, but taking proactive steps can help protect you from a commercial truck insurance dispute:
- Keep track of everything related to the crash, including the truck driver’s information, name, and phone numbers for witnesses, witness statements, the police report, and any photos or videos of the truck accident scene.
- Seek medical attention immediately and then follow your provider’s instructions. Missed doctor’s appointments or therapy sessions can signal to the insurance company that your injuries are not as severe or painful as you claim.
- Start a pain journal to document your injuries and their impact on your life. Be specific in the many ways your injuries also affect your loved ones, such as a broken arm preventing you from returning to your job or driving your kids to school.
- Consult a truck accident insurance claim lawyer, and do not give a statement to the insurance company until you do. Once you have a truck accident attorney, they can communicate with the insurance carrier on your behalf while handling your truck accident case.
How Our Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
If you have injuries and expenses after a semi-truck accident in Georgia, our experienced truck accident lawyers are here to help. Let us:
- Investigate your accident to compile and examine evidence
- Determine if any regulatory violations contributed to the crash
- Calculate the dollar value of the losses you suffered
- Determine everyone who may be liable for your injuries
- Negotiate with the insurance companies for maximum compensation
- Represent you in court if necessary
Geiger Legal Group, LLC, is a family-run law firm committed to providing excellent service to victims of truck accidents. Our five-star team is prepared to work tirelessly while you take care of yourself. Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.
