How to Talk about Your Texas Truck Accident
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Texas, you have the right to file a claim against the trucking company for damages. These damages don’t just include your wrecked vehicle, medical bills, lost wages and the like, but they can include pain and suffering – an aspect of the wreck many insurance companies hope you don’t know about.
Let’s see what the Car Crash Captain has to say about being in a Texas truck accident.
Understanding Your Rights as a Victim
The first thing you have to know after a truck accident in Texas, is that most trucking companies will have their lawyers and insurance company move into action quickly. They are going to gather evidence, get quotes, take names, and analyze how they can diminish your claim. Don’t panic! The sooner you can get your truck wreck lawyer informed the better.
Do – Take Names and Information
When someone from the trucking company calls you (or their insurance company, or their legal representation) the first thing you should ask for is their name, who they work for, and their contact information. Any reputable business will give this information, if they hesitate or don’t do it, make a note of what you do know.
Do Not – Give a Statement
The insurance company will likely call you on a recorded line. Their goal is to get you to say something that diminishes your claim. Questions can be phrased in a tricky way so you admit fault unwillingly. Perhaps something along the lines of, “When you changed lanes without signaling, did you see the truck?” Even answering, “No I did not see the truck.” Can be twisted to say that you admit you did an illegal lane change. The best option is to just not give any statement at all. Instead…
Do – Refer to Your Texas Truck Accident Lawyer
When insurance, trucking company lawyers, or the trucking company themselves call you, gather their information, and then refer them to your truck accident lawyer. If they ask questions, you just have to say, “I am represented by Herbert Law Group, please direct any inquiries to them.” It is likely they will insist on getting information, they just need, “a little information.” And will ask questions such as, “Is it true this accident took place on such and such a date?” Keep your resolve, and direct them to Herbert Law Group.
Do Not – Accept the First Settlement Offer
Insurance companies rely on the fact that you don’t know the law the way they do. They may throw out a settlement offer and make it sound like it’s a “take it or leave it” proposition. In reality, you don’t have to take the first settlement offer. It’s usually better if you do not take that offer – even if you’re in a simple fender bender. You can almost always argue for a better settlement that will meet your needs.
Do – Know You have the Right to Choose
Most insurance companies will try to get you to use their preferred providers. They will claim that the settlement will go quicker or more smoothly if you use the auto body shop of their choice, of if you choose the doctor they have endorsed. Remember, you have the right to choose your service provider – it doesn’t have to be their recommended provider.
Do Not – Post on Social Media
Immediately following the wreck, it’s time to go silent on social. A post as innocuous as “Got in a wreck, I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” Can be construed as you are faking your injuries. Insurance investigators will find anything that can be used to weaken your claim. Even performing physical activities in public can be seen as your injuries are not as severe as you said. Stay silent on social, and monitor your actions where someone could be watching.
Do Contact Herbert Law Group after a Truck Accident in Texas
Long before any insurance company should be contacting you, you should have already contacted Herbert Law group to get guidance on the wreck.
Before we can help, though, we have to know what happened. So, we’ve opened the phone lines for a free consultation. Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll be in touch with you soon.