The Insurance Gap: Why Atlanta Truck Accident Victims Rarely Get What They Are Owed
After a serious truck accident in Atlanta, many victims assume the size of the crash indicates the size of any potential settlement. However, it rarely works that way. Trucking companies carry powerful insurance policies and have equally powerful legal teams, and their top priority is limiting payouts.
If you were injured in a truck accident and feel pressured to settle quickly, our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers explain the steps needed to protect your rights.
Why Atlanta Truck Accident Settlements Often Fall Short
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that the average losses injured victims suffer in a truck accident total nearly $400,000. However, there is often a significant gap between what Atlanta truck accident victims need to recover and what they actually get.
To reduce payouts, trucking company insurers make early offers and try to close claims before victims fully grasp their total losses. Actions on your part that could leave you paying out of pocket:
- Agreeing to accept a settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries.
- Not factoring in future medical costs.
- Not calculating potential future lost income.
- Underestimating the value of pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
The FMCSA requires most commercial carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, with many carrying policies of $1 million or more. Despite these large policy limits, insurers work hard to dispute liability and downplay settlement amounts.
How To Protect Your Rights To Compensation in an Atlanta Truck Accident Claim
Leveling the playing field against a trucking company and its insurer requires preparation, evidence, and a clear financial picture of what your claim is worth. That calculation goes far beyond immediate medical bills. It includes current and future lost income and compensation for any loss of enjoyment of life your injuries cause.
To get the full amount you need to recover, take these steps:
- In the immediate aftermath of a crash, get contact information for everyone involved and take photos of the accident scene.
- Get immediate medical care, inform the doctor of all symptoms, undergo any recommended testing, and follow all treatment instructions.
- Do not return to work until cleared by your doctor, and keep copies of wage statements documenting lost income.
- Before speaking to insurers or accepting any immediate settlements, contact an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer first.
A quick settlement may feel like relief, but it often means paying out of pocket for crash-related costs for months or years to come.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Trucking companies have one goal after an Atlanta truck accident: pay as little as possible. At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, our goal is the opposite. We fight to get you the maximum amount you are entitled to in your claim.
If you are in a crash, contact us today and request a consultation with our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers. We represent clients throughout Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties, including Alpharetta, Decatur, Marietta, and coastal areas such as Savannah and St. Simons Island.
Sources:
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/fmc-pre-240812-001-federal-motor-carrier-safety-administration-crash
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/insurance https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/motor_vehicle/index.html
