Common Trucking Industry Intimidation Tactics & How to Fight Back

It’s not uncommon for trucking companies and the companies that insure them to use aggressive tactics to minimize, or outright deny, rightful compensation for truck accident victims. Without aggressive representation, accident victims may be pressured into accepting less than they deserve.

Below we explore some of the most common intimidation and negotiation methods trucking company insurers deploy and offer practical advice on how to protect your rights and secure the compensation you are due.

How Trucking Companies & Insurers Try to Avoid Payouts

It’s no secret to why trucking company insurance providers try to pay as little as possible. Call it greed or finance management, aka protecting their bottom line. Either way, it’s a method to revictimize folks who are already feeling overwhelmed due to being involved in the accident, perhaps even injured, or loved ones in wrongful death cases.

Let’s dig a bit deeper into the specific tactics used by these companies so that you know what to look for.

Have You Been In A Truck Accident?

5 Common Intimidation Tactics in Trucking Accident Claims

Here are a few surefire ways to know when a claims adjuster is trying to get one over on you.

#1 Victim Blaming

If you’re being accused of distracted driving or reckless lane-changing, this is an attempt to shift blame from the trucking company and its driver onto you. This is commonly referred to as victim blaming.

The best way to combat these types of accusations is to thoroughly investigate all the circumstances of the accident. This includes reviewing police reports, eyewitness accounts, expert testimony, and gathering any other evidence that establishes who’s actually at fault.

#2 Delay, Delay, Delay

For many accident victims, compensation is desperately needed in order to replace a vehicle and pay for medical expenses. Insurance companies know this and attempt to delay cases, often citing lost paperwork or bureaucratic procedures, in order to wear down a desperate plaintiff.

Your attorney can mitigate these attempts to settle prematurely by demanding timely responses and holding insurers accountable for their clients’ actions.

#3 Low Settlement Offers

Insurance companies negotiate compensation by starting as low as they can possibly go. But with a knowledgeable attorney who understands how to calculate fair compensation, you won’t be bullied into accepting less than you deserve or fall victim to insurance company bad faith tactics.

Here are the costs that are considered when figuring out how much your settlement amount should be:

• Medical expenses (current and future) – Covers hospital bills, treatments, and future medical care.
• Lost wages – Compensates for income lost due to injury recovery.
• Loss of earning capacity – Accounts for reduced ability to earn income in the future.
• Property damage – Covers repair or replacement of damaged property.
• Pain and suffering – Compensation for physical pain and discomfort.
• Emotional distress – Covers psychological impact like anxiety or PTSD.
• Loss of consortium – Compensates for loss of companionship or support.
• Rehabilitation costs – Covers physical therapy or recovery programs.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement – Accounts for lasting physical impairments.
• Wrongful death damages – Covers funeral costs and loss of financial support.
• Punitive damages (if applicable) – Intended to punish egregious wrongdoing.
• Legal fees (in some cases) – Reimbursement for attorney and court costs.

#4 Providing False Information

You definitely don’t want to deal with seasoned insurance claims managers on your own. If they sense weakness, they may provide unsolicited advice that’s more in their best interests than yours. They may even suggest that hiring a personal injury lawyer is unnecessary or too costly.

Rest assured, hiring an experienced trucking accident law firm is the best way to maximize your payout.

#5 Surveillance & Monitoring

You may have heard stories of claims representatives, or their hired hands, surveilling accident victims to prove their severity of injuries are not what they’ve claimed. Claims examiners may even monitor your, or your connection’s, social media accounts.

Litigation specialists may cherry-pick specific images, suggesting you aren’t experiencing pain or limited mobility, when in fact you are.

How to Protect Yourself Against These Tactics

The best ways to protect yourself against predatory insurance agents are to collect robust evidence, maintain your privacy and limit your social media exposure, and hire an attorney with negotiation and trial experience in trucking accident claims.

How Stinson Law Group Can Help

Stinson Law Group attorneys not only have decades of combined experience when it comes to representing commercial vehicle accident victims, the team is also recognized for their being top trial lawyers.

Remember to always speak with your legal advisors and never directly to a representative of the trucking company responsible for the accident. After seeking medical care, the first call you should make is to a tractor-trailer accident lawyer.

If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to the negligence of a trucking company in Wyoming or Montana, reach out to our law team today to schedule a free consultation with a qualified truck accident lawyer.

Free Initial Consultation