Shady Insurance Settlement Tactics You May Encounter
In 2023, Bradley Shepherd and his son Colton were driving in Tacoma, Washington. Going straight on the road, their world was rocked when a TruGreen commercial vehicle turned in front of them. With hardly any time to react, Bradley hit the brakes, but wasn’t able to avoid the wreck. His son suffered a fractured leg, and Bradley himself fractured his spine.
Over the course of the trial, the insurance company representing TruGreen offered a settlement that many would think, at first, to be fair: $2 million. However, the lawyers representing Bradley knew that a quick settlement, even one that looked like enough, was shady. A young boy with a fractured leg and a man in his 40’s that needed invasive surgery – their quality of life would never be the same.
When the case was finally resolved, in 2025, the jury awarded Bradley $12.74 million to ensure he would be compensated for sufferings now, and anything that arose in the future. The Car Crash Captain explores why this case, even though it took 2 years to finalize, is an important lesson on how to deal with commercial vehicle insurance settlements.
How a Commercial Wreck Differs
We know there’s a difference between a commercial wreck and one with another motorist. But just how are they different? It seems like it should be straightforward, but these things can get pretty complicated.
- Parties – When colliding with a commercial vehicle there can be multiple parties that maintain some liability.
- Oversight – Commercial drivers must abide by both the state and federal regulations.
- Coverage – The coverage limits are generally much higher, especially when multiple layers exist.
- Complexity – Cases tend to be far more complex, and negotiations and trials can drag out for months and even years.
- Defense – Insurance companies, and their lawyers, will be much more aggressive in their defense tactics.
- Amounts – Settlement amounts tend to be much higher, usually because injuries, economic loss, and limits are greater.
- Delays – After a commercial wreck, the delays are usually longer as all the data and evidence are gathered.
There’s more at stake after a commercial wreck. The injuries are greater, the accidents are more often fatal, and the settlements can run into many millions of dollars. That’s why the lawyer representing the defense will use tactics to limit their exposure.
Tactics Insurance Companies Use after a Commercial Wreck
Many of the tactics that could be used are considered illegal. However, there are plenty of shady methods that can be used that don’t fall into that category.
Early Offers – One of the most used tactics these companies use is to put out a settlement offer quickly. This is usually a low-ball offer, and one that is set forth soon after the wreck. The tactic is done because they know if things are investigated more carefully, the victim will understand they need more compensation to cover their losses. By trying to settle quickly, the hope is that you will take an offer that isn’t adequate.
Hiding Logs – When the at-fault party knows they will be found liable, they might try to delay turning over the evidence that will show they are wrong. Often, they don’t deliberately hide the logs, but they don’t make them easy to get. You need an attorney to subpoena the logs when the other party refuses or delays turning them over.
Casting Blame – Because there isn’t always one party that’s fully responsible, the insurance company may try to cast the blame to another party that is at least partially responsible. This helps to not only delay, but also to reduce the payout they might be on the hook for.
Delay Tactics – When you don’t accept that early and low-ball offer, they usually do whatever they can to delay the settlement. Sometimes they claim the medical condition must stabilize before the full extent is known, sometimes they slowly turn over information, and sometimes they will straight up ignore you.
The big issue here is that this party knows they are at-fault, and they’re doing everything they can not to admit it, and to ultimately reduce what they rightfully owe.
Why You Need a Lawyer
And that means you’re often left battling for your own rights. Without a lawyer, you have to do all of this investigatory work on your own. Are you able to do that? Do you know how to subpoena records, pursue compensation, reconstruct an accident scene, and deal with a shady insurance company that’s delaying your settlement?
Most likely, you don’t know how to do it. Possibly, you couldn’t do it even if you were aware of all the necessary procedures.
Herbert Law Group Helps with Victims of Commercial Wrecks
That is why Herbert Law Group is here. You should have one focus after a commercial wreck – to heal from your injuries.
We are here to fight for your rights.
Don’t try to do this alone; instead, let us help you find compensation and the justice you deserve. It all starts with a phone call and a free conversation to figure out how we can help. Call us at 214-414-3808, or fill out the contact form on our site and we’ll be in touch with you shortly.