Dallas Center Truck Accident Injury Attorneys

Across the extensive highway networks, trucking accidents frequently cause major disruptions and serious injuries. During these trying times, trucking injury attorneys offer essential support, providing guidance and aid to those affected. They are experts in the complex landscape of trucking laws and regulations.

When dealing with insurance companies, especially after an accident, it’s crucial to know how to navigate the system to get a fair settlement. Here are six little-known secrets to help you achieve that:

1. Know Your Facts and the Law

Understanding the facts of your case and how Iowa laws apply is essential when handling a case on your own. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize settlements using various techniques. One common tactic is pretending to be your friend, offering to handle everything, and suggesting that hiring a lawyer is unnecessary and costly. However, they won’t tell you that it’s perfectly legal for them to use deceptive tactics to settle your case for less than its worth. Be aware of their strategies, such as claiming your case is weak or that injuries like “soft-tissue” injuries heal quickly, limiting their payout.

2. You Do Not Have to Give a Recorded Statement

In most cases, you are not required to give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster of the other party. If there’s a police report, politely decline to give a recorded statement and refer the adjuster to the report and your medical records. However, for claims against your own insurance company (e.g., underinsured motorist claims), you might need to provide a statement as per the policy language. If unsure, consult a qualified Iowa personal injury attorney.

3. Always Tell the Truth

Honesty is paramount. Insurance companies have extensive databases with your prior claims. If you lie about previous claims, you harm the credibility and value of your current case. Always be truthful to avoid these pitfalls.

4. In Car Accident and Personal Injury Cases, Ask the Adjuster How Much Insurance Coverage They Have Available

Asking about the available insurance coverage often catches adjusters off guard, especially if you don't have an attorney. They may try to withhold this information. Iowa law mandates a minimum of $20,000 per person for personal injuries in car accidents. If your injuries are severe, you might need to tap into your underinsured motorist policy. Ensure you follow specific requirements like getting your insurance company's permission before settling.

5. Making Threats Will Not Help Your Case

Threatening the insurance adjuster is ineffective. They are trained professionals whose goal is to pay as little as possible. Anger and threats only make negotiations more difficult and can transfer your file to another adjuster, reducing the work for the current one.

6. Do Your Research to Know How Much Your Case Is Worth

Negotiating without knowing your case's worth is challenging. Research similar cases in Iowa to understand potential settlements or court awards. This information is crucial for informed negotiations.

Understanding Truck Accident Claims and Preserving Evidence

In the case of truck accidents, preserving evidence is critical. A spoliation letter can prevent a trucking company from destroying crucial records, such as hours of service logs, which they are only required to keep for six months. Evidence like the truck’s “black box” recorder, medical records, and cell phone records of the driver can be pivotal in a claim. 

Commercial trucking companies must preserve driver qualification files as long as the driver is employed and for three years afterward. Contacting a knowledgeable attorney to send a spoliation letter and preserve this evidence is essential.

Filing a Claim for Falling Cargo Accidents

If you’re struck by falling cargo from a truck, you can file a claim even if the truck didn’t physically hit your vehicle. Truck drivers and companies are responsible for securing cargo. Liability can extend to the driver, the trucking company, and even third-party loaders or trailer manufacturers if defects are involved. An experienced Iowa law firm can help determine liability and pursue compensation.

Contacting Walker, Billingsley & Bair

At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, our team is committed to ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve. We handle all injury cases on a contingency fee basis and manage all necessary documentation and communications.

Walker, Billingsley & Bair is prepared to act fast to defend your rights after a truck accident in Iowa. Contact our office at 641-792-3595 to speak with an attorney.