If you or your loved one is in a truck accident, the chances are good there are serious injuries or even deaths to cope with. In fact, according to the statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2015, over 20 percent of trucking accidents resulted in injuries and/or fatalities. Therefore, it is critical that victims and their families understand their rights and options regarding compensation.
After a crash, it may not be very long until a trucking company’s insurance agents contact you with a settlement offer. However, as tempting as it may be to accept the offer and move on, you could be making a big mistake if you accept less than you deserve. Below are three things you should seriously consider before accepting any settlement after a crash.
- Damages can be much higher than victims and their families are led to believe. In addition to immediate medical bills, funeral expenses, property damage and other obvious damages that stem from a catastrophic crash, there can also be lost wages, pain and suffering, as well as future expenses that are not necessarily reflected in a settlement offer.
- Trucking companies have considerable resources they can devote to defending against accident claims. This means victims and their families are often at a disadvantage when it comes to dealing with them directly and understanding what they as victims actually deserve.
- There may be violations that contributed to the crash with which people outside the trucking industry are not familiar. Unless you understand state and trucking regulations, you might not recognize negligence or recklessness that would support a legal claim.
With all this in mind, we urge you to consult an attorney before agreeing to anything after a serious truck accident. If you know your rights, you can fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.