First, you will need to establish who is the liable party in your accident.
Negotiating an insurance settlement for a trucking accident in Ohio has four important components:
- Establishing that the at-fault party undertook a duty of care
- Proving that the at-fault party violated this obligation
- Showing that their actions or behaviors caused an accident
- Showing that the accident caused you to be injured and/or financial loss [economic damages] in the form of medical bills or lost income.
Ohio operates on a fault system. This means that following a collision, you would pursue damages from the responsible party’s insurance company. You need to show proof of your damages and enter the negotiation process knowing how much you are willing to accept for your accident-related losses. This is an important part of negotiating an insurance settlement for a trucking accident in Ohio.
Yet, some of these organizations are more interested in protecting their bottom line than settling with accident victims. If you cannot reach a settlement agreement that covers the cost of your damages, you may want to consider speaking with a truck accident lawyer for legal assistance.
How the Settlement Process Works for a Trucking Accident in Ohio
When you are involved in a trucking accident in Ohio, you will start accumulating bills and experiencing financial losses almost immediately. An insurance claim can help you pay those bills before they create a financial burden for you and your family. Keep in mind that the trucking company will not pay you anything on your injury claim until you are willing to sign a release preventing you from making any further injury claims arising from the accident.
When you say yes to an insurance settlement for a trucking accident, you agree to accept a specific amount of money in exchange for not filing a lawsuit against the truck driver.
You will be asked to sign binding paperwork that ensures you will not pursue litigation once you receive the agreed-upon amount. You can have a lawyer with you while you negotiate an insurance settlement, but the choice of whether or not to accept any offers is ultimately up to you.
For a free legal consultation, call (614) 538-1116
A Lawyer Is an Asset in Insurance Settlement Negotiations
Having a lawyer on your side during settlement negotiations with an insurance company can work to your advantage for several reasons. If you are involved in a collision with another passenger vehicle, you know exactly who to pursue for financial damages–– usually, the driver of the other car. However, when you are involved in a trucking accident, the right party to pursue might not be as clear.
In these types of accidents, multiple parties can be found responsible, including the individual trucker, their employer, and even the company who built the truck. These parties may each have different insurance companies or may even resort to pointing the finger at each other rather than offer a fair settlement. This can make negotiating an insurance settlement for a trucking accident even more complicated. When you work with a lawyer, they can determine liability and handle all communications with these involved parties.
A lawyer can also be an asset by helping you assign full and accurate value to your compensation claim. On your own, it can be difficult to calculate the cost of lost income, anticipated medical bills, and noneconomic damages. Your legal team’s primary goal will be to negotiate for a settlement that accurately covers the cost of your accident-related expenditures.
Gather Documents That Help Value Your Insurance Claim
You need to enter the negotiation process knowing how much money you need to cover your expenses, while also having documentation to support that amount.
You can make sure no expense is overlooked when your lawyer is calculating the value of your claim by providing them with the following documents:
- Your accident-related medical bills to date, including the cost of future treatments
- An estimate or receipt for the cost of property damage
- Your employment records that indicate your current and future lost income
- Bank statements
- Childcare receipts, if your injuries were so severe that you could not care for your family on your own
When you work with a truck accident lawyer, they can explain what other documents can aid with the negotiation process.
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Do Not Put Off Filing Your Compensation Claim
When you are involved in a trucking accident in Ohio, you need time to build a comprehensive claim. A comprehensive claim is one that is complete, thorough, and accurately represents your interests.
You may not have long to act under Ohio’s statute of limitations. You generally have two years from the date of your accident to move forward with a civil action. Some circumstances may toll this timeframe. To learn more, speak with a truck accident lawyer today.
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A Lawyer Can Help Negotiate a Settlement for a Trucking Accident in Ohio
When you or a family member are involved in a trucking accident in Ohio, an insurance settlement can help you avoid a prolonged court case and still receive compensation for the expenses resulting from the accident.
When you are ready to seek the monetary award you deserve and negotiate a, call Bressman Law. Our legal team has been serving personal injury clients for more than 30 years. To get started with a free case review, call us today at (614) 538-1116.
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