How Truck Companies Avoid Paying Fair Settlements After Crashes

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Truck accidents can change lives in an instant, burdening victims with pain, medical bills, and emotional trauma. With semi-trucks weighing as much as 30 times more than standard vehicles, these crashes often lead to devastating damage and life-altering consequences for victims.

What’s the priority for trucking companies after an accident? Protecting their profits. They’ll deny responsibility, minimize payouts, and shift blame, all while victims and their families face mounting physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

Knowing the strategies trucking companies and their insurance providers use to deny paying fair settlements can help you stand your ground if you’re in this situation. At Aigen Injury Law, our experienced Florida truck crash lawyers can help you hold the at-fault parties accountable and negotiate for the fair compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Tactics Insurers Use to Avoid Fair Payouts

On Florida’s busy highways, truck accidents frequently cause severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage or brain trauma, leading to liability claims against trucking companies. These companies often rely on strategies to reduce payouts to protect their bottom line. Here are some of their most common tactics:

Lowball Offers Right After the Accident

After a crash, you might get a settlement offer that looks good at first glance. It might even seem like the trucking company is trying to make things right by not fighting the claim. But these offers often fall far short of what you actually need. Their objective is to resolve the case quickly, usually before you fully understand your injuries or long-term costs. And once you accept an offer, you legally can’t go back and request more money later, even if the check runs out before your accident-related bills do.

What to watch for:

  • A settlement offer made soon after the accident
  • Pressure to accept the offer without consulting an attorney
  • Claims like “This is the best we can do” or “Waiting could mean less
  • Offers that don’t account for ongoing expenses as well as future losses related to your injuries

Remember, a fair settlement should cover current and future related medical bills, lost wages for both missed paychecks and reduced earning capacity, your physical pain, and the emotional toll of the crash. Always speak with a qualified attorney before agreeing, especially if the offer feels rushed or too low.

Shifting the Blame

Trucking companies frequently attempt to avoid accountability by shifting blame to others, or claiming the accident was unavoidable due to external factors. These tactics create confusion and complicate efforts to establish their responsibility for the crash.

Common signs of blame-shifting include:

  • Blaming you or other drivers for causing the crash
  • Pointing to outside factors like weather or road conditions
  • Claiming vehicle defects or unrelated maintenance issues were to blame
  • Focusing on small mistakes by others to shift attention away from their responsibility

Proving liability requires gathering strong evidence, such as crash reports, maintenance records, or witness statements, to demonstrate that the company or the truck driver was at fault.

Intimidation by Aggressive Legal Teams

Big trucking companies often use their powerful legal teams to pressure victims into settling for less. These lawyers might use aggressive tactics to make you doubt your case and feel overwhelmed, hoping you’ll give up before fighting for what you deserve.

Intimidation might look like:

  • Overwhelming you with piles of paperwork and tight deadlines
  • Delaying or hiding evidence, like maintenance records or driver logs
  • Threatening a lengthy legal battle to make the process feel impossible
  • Using complicated legal terms to confuse or mislead you about your options

Having your own strong legal representation can help you counter these strategies and focus on building a strong case. Plus, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no upfront costs or retainer fees for our services.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Fight for Your Rights

Truck accident claims often have complex legal challenges, from aggressive defense tactics to deliberate strategies to reduce payouts. At Aigen Injury Law, we prioritize protecting your rights and pursuing the full compensation you deserve.

Here’s how we achieve the best outcome for your case:

  • Investigating the crash thoroughly to uncover evidence of negligence or liability
  • Collecting and preserving critical documents, such as electronic logging device (ELD) data, maintenance records, and accident reports
  • Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf to secure fair compensation
  • Representing you in court if a settlement isn’t possible, ensuring your voice is heard
  • Providing clear guidance and consistent communication throughout the process

Get Qualified Legal Representation With Aigen Injury Law

Truck accidents can leave victims with serious injuries, financial stress, and unanswered questions. At Aigen Injury Law, we take on the fight against trucking companies and their insurers, so you don’t have to.

Our team can gather evidence, challenge unfair tactics, and pursue full compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. With us handling the legal process, you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation to learn how we can help you.