In the aftermath of a truck accident, injured victims may struggle to cover the related costs, ranging from medical bills to lost wages. One commonly used solution is to file a civil lawsuit against the party responsible for the accident and resulting injuries and hold them liable for the costs. While this process is greatly beneficial for many accident victims, it can become complicated by insurance companies. Auto insurance is meant to help cover victims when accidents occur, but insurance companies are notoriously resistant to paying out compensation and may make the process increasingly frustrating for people who are injured.
A recent state appellate case demonstrates how insurance disputes can slow down the process of receiving compensation. According to the court’s written opinion, a semi-tractor trailer was hauling logs early one morning in December 2013 when the plaintiff’s vehicle collided with the logs extending from the back of the trailer. As a result, the plaintiff suffered severe and permanent injuries, including a spinal cord injury. According to the complaint, the medical expenses incurred as a result were over $1,000,000.
The plaintiff filed a complaint against several defendants, including the semi-tractor trailer’s insurer, which was the focus of this case. The insurance company filed multiple subsequent motions and defenses, including a motion for summary judgment, arguing that there was no coverage for the incident because the policy excluded incidents involving the truck driver who was driving at the time of the accident. The insurance company also disputed the uppermost limit of coverage in this case, arguing for the state’s minimum coverage of $100,000 rather than the federal minimum coverage of $750,000. In addition, and to complicate the case further, the insurance company claimed that the state court did not have proper jurisdiction to hear this case.
These disputes with an insurance company, unfortunately, happen all the time to Maryland victims, complicating litigation and sometimes significantly postponing or barring recovery for accident victims. Insurance companies have a vested interest in paying as little as possible for claims, and thus they hire large legal teams to limit their liability whenever possible. As in the case above, they usually will use many different tactics to delay or even squash plaintiffs’ claims against them, hoping to ultimately escape liability or limit it to the bare minimum. This can be frustrating for truck accident victims, who desperately need the compensation from an insurance company to recover financially from an accident.
Do You Need a Truck Accident Attorney to Help with Your Case?
If you or a loved one has tried to negotiate with an insurance company in the aftermath of a truck accident, you know how frustrating and time-consuming it can be, especially when you are trying to heal from your injuries. Contact Lebowitz & Mzhen, Personal Injury Lawyers, today and let us handle your case for you. Since we have decades of experience leveling the playing field against stubborn, well-resourced insurance companies, you can trust that your case is in good hands with us. We can handle every stage of a Maryland personal injury lawsuit and will take your case to trial if need be, zealously advocating for your rights at every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more and schedule a free, no-risk consultation at 800-654-1949.