After you have been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, you might be contacted by the trucking company’s insurance carrier. The insurance representative may be extremely kind or apologetic, even offering to help you through the process of filing a claim. No matter how genuine an insurance representative seems, any contact they make is for one reason only: to reduce the amount you receive for your claim. 
How Insurers Work to Deny Truck Accident Compensation to Victims
One of the most common tactics insurers use to reduce the value of a claim is taking recorded statements. The insurer’s goal is to get you to talk about the severity of your injuries before you know the full extent of the damage, or say something that could be taken as an admission of fault for the crash. An insurer may even attempt to convince you that a recorded statement is necessary in order for the claim to be processed.
Other tricks insurers may use after a truck crash include:
Offering sympathy.
Insurance companies spend thousands of dollars training their employees on how to get victims to settle a case for less than it’s worth. Language such as “we’re sorry you got hurt” can actually deter accident victims from calling a lawyer and make them more likely to accept an early settlement—language that also carefully avoids an admission of fault for the accident.
Acting like a friend.
An insurance representative may offer to help you during recovery by recommending a doctor for your injury treatment or a garage to fix your car. These professionals often have a relationship with the insurer, allowing the insurance company to keep an eye on you.
Using surveillance.
Insurance companies may hire investigators to follow you in the hopes of catching you doing something outside of the limitations of your injury. These investigators may even visit your neighbors or coworkers to interview them as witnesses to your daily activities.
Have You Been Involved In A Rhode Island Truck Accident?
If you've been hurt in a truck accident you need to speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Warwick office directly at 401.946.3200 to schedule your free consultation. We help truck accident victims in Providence, Warwick and all areas of Rhode Island.
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