A Lawyer Who Knows How To Deal With Insurance Companies
Vancouver, WA truck accident attorney Colin Scott fights for your rights
Recovering financial compensation after you've been hurt in a truck accident can be a difficult process. Insurance companies may dispute your claim and will try to pay you as little as they can. The Scott Law Firm, PLLC is familiar with the tactics insurance companies use and how to avoid certain pitfalls in order to get the best possible outcome in your case.
Dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be complicated. Insurance companies are businesses. Many of them are publicly owned and have a duty to their shareholders to keep their profit margin high. To accomplish this, insurance companies typically try to spend as little money as possible on resolving claims. Claims involving truck accidents with bad injuries are no different, since there is often a lot of money at stake. That's why hiring an experienced lawyer can make a massive difference.
We know how to hold the trucking company and their insurance company accountable
Determining fault in a truck accident is a crucial step in the insurance claim process. Multiple parties may share the blame if their negligence played a role in the crash. Insurance companies have their own methods for determining fault, and as you might imagine, their primary objective is to protect their bottom line.
It's important to seek legal guidance from an experienced truck accident attorney who can help navigate the complexities of the insurance claim process and ensure that fault is accurately assessed to pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our law firm today for a case evaluation and let us seek justice and fair compensation for your injuries.
Insurance companies have different tactics they use to try to avoid their responsibility of paying appropriate compensation. For example:
An insurance company may dispute the extent of your injuries
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that lead to significant medical expenses and other costs. The insurance company or companies for the liable party should pay for those expenses.
However, insurance companies may question your doctor's diagnosis or challenge the need for certain procedures or treatment. They may also retain a medical expert to review your records and look for any prior injuries or complaints involving the same body parts that were injured in the crash. The insurance company will then use this information to claim you were previously injured.
An insurance company may ask you to answer some questions
You may be asked to provide a recorded statement and answer questions about what happened. But what the insurance company is really trying to do is get you to say something that makes it seem as if you were responsible.
An insurance company may try to shift blame
Multiple parties are usually involved in a truck crash. There's the driver and the trucking company. There's also the owner of the cargo and in some cases, a manufacturer who may have produced a defective component believed to have been a factor. Each has their own insurance company and attorney representing them. And each will often try to put blame the other for the accident, or what is sometimes called "pointing the finger."
An insurance company may make you a settlement offer
This often happens soon after the accident. The insurance company will contact you with an offer. It may seem like a lot of money to you at the time, and it can be tempting to accept. But these initial settlement offers typically fall far short of the compensation you deserve for the damages you have suffered.
Act now to protect your legal rights
In Washington state, there are specific time limits, known as the statute of limitations, for bringing a lawsuit or claim after a truck accident. In general, injured people must file a legal claim within three years from the date of the accident. However, this is not a steadfast rule and not every case in Washington has a three year statute of limitations—some fact patterns may require that you take proper steps to preserve your claim much sooner. That’s why it’s important to consult an attorney right away after a wreck with a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or another type of big rig. We can analyze your situation and explain your legal rights and options.
When clients come to us, we generally tell them not to accept an early settlement offer or answer any questions from the insurance company. There are many reasons for this. But for the most part insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests. They have attorneys advising them what to do, and you should too. At the very least, you should contact an attorney to discuss the facts of your potential claim. You need to look out for what's best for you.
Get straight answers from an experienced truck accident lawyer
Attorney Colin Scott has dedicated his practice to helping victims recover the financial compensation they deserve and to which they are legally entitled. Aggressive claim negotiations are one of our firm’s many strengths. We know the various tactics insurance companies use to try and resolve claims for less than they are worth. Once you hire our firm, Colin can prevent these insurance companies from taking advantage of you.
If we agree to work on your case, our firm will investigate to find out which party's negligence caused the crash. We will work to build a strong case that insurance companies can't ignore. Sometimes this alone is enough to convince insurance companies to settle for maximum value. During settlement talks, Colin puts his clients first, including their needs and desired outcome.
If you were hurt in a truck accident, you probably have questions and are searching for legal advice. Learn more about how we can help you. Talk to an attorney in a free consultation. Contact us online or call 360-718-3640 to schedule a time that's convenient for you.