How Insurance Companies Handle Car And Truck Accident Claims
We’ve seen firsthand how stressful it is to deal with the aftermath of a car or truck accident. Between medical bills, time off work, and damage to your vehicle, it’s a lot to deal with. The last thing anyone wants is to fight with an insurance company.
Still, these corporations don’t have your best interests in mind. That’s why at Gardner Law Firm, we believe anyone injured in a crash must understand how these companies handle claims—and where we can step in to help. Our Texas-based firm serves clients in Rockport and Corpus Christi, so if you've been involved in an accident, you know who to call.
What Happens Right After An Accident
After an accident, most drivers call their insurance company. The insurer will assign an adjuster to the case who reaches out, asks for a statement, and starts the process of evaluating the claim. This initial conversation may feel routine, but it can affect the value of your case.
Adjusters may ask questions that seem harmless but are designed to reduce the payout. They’re trained to pick apart the timeline, challenge how the crash happened, or imply that your injuries aren’t serious. Some may even request a recorded statement, which can later be used to dispute your claim.
We always tell clients: don’t give a recorded statement until you’ve spoken with an accident lawyer. You have the right to say no.
Insurance Companies Start With the Goal of Paying Less
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Every dollar they pay in a claim is a dollar out of their pocket. So, it’s no surprise that one of their main goals is to pay as little as possible. This is true whether you’re dealing with your own insurance or the other driver’s.
Here are some of the common tactics we’ve seen used:
Delaying claims: Hoping you’ll settle out of frustration.
Offering quick, low settlements: Before full injuries are known.
Using your medical records against you: Especially if you’ve had prior injuries.
Blaming you for the crash: To reduce or deny compensation entirely.
These tactics aren’t just frustrating—they can leave you without the support you need. That’s where a seasoned accident lawyer comes in.
The Difference Between Car And Truck Accident Claims
Truck accidents are different from typical car accidents in many ways. We’ve handled cases involving commercial trucks, and they usually involve larger damages, multiple insurance policies, and stricter federal regulations. Because of these differences, truck insurance companies often act even faster to protect themselves.
Right after a truck crash, the trucking company’s insurer often sends professionals to the scene. They may collect data, interview witnesses, and even try to access the vehicle’s black box. All of this happens before victims have had a chance to recover, let alone consider hiring legal help.
That’s why we urge anyone involved in a truck crash to contact an accident lawyer quickly. Evidence can disappear quickly. Having an attorney represent you from the start matters.
How Claims Are Valued By Insurers
When an insurance company evaluates a claim, they don’t just look at the damage to your vehicle or the hospital bill. They use internal systems and algorithms to estimate how much they think your claim is worth. These systems aren’t transparent, and they often undervalue real suffering.
Here’s what they typically consider:
Medical bills: They may push back on charges they view as “unnecessary.”
Lost wages: Only if you have documentation from your employer.
Property damage: Based on actual cash value, not replacement cost.
Pain and suffering: Often calculated using a multiplier that skews low.
We’ve had to fight to get fair compensation for many of our clients, especially when an insurer refuses to take pain, emotional distress, or future treatment needs seriously. Having an accident lawyer involved early helps prevent undervaluation and strengthens your claim.
When Insurers Deny Liability
Even when liability seems obvious, insurance companies often find reasons to deny it. They may claim their driver wasn’t at fault, argue that both parties were equally responsible, or blame a third party.
Under Texas law, we follow a modified comparative fault system. That means if you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you can’t recover damages. Even if you’re under that threshold, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. This makes it easy for insurers to play games with liability—and it’s one of the main reasons we push back hard.
As an experienced law firm, we’ve seen how quickly a solid claim can unravel without someone challenging these disputes. Our job is to make sure the real facts are heard and to protect your right to recover.
The Impact Of Independent Medical Exams
Sometimes, the insurer may request an Independent Medical Examination (IME). Don’t let the name fool you—these aren’t always neutral assessments. Often, the doctor performing the IME is chosen by the insurance company and is paid by them. We’ve handled cases where IME reports contradicted months of treatment records to justify a denial. It’s one of many tools insurers use to cut off claims or reduce settlements.
We typically attend these exams with our clients or prepare them in advance. You have rights during an IME, and an accident lawyer can help protect them.
Dealing With Medical Liens And Subrogation
After a crash, your health insurance provider—or a hospital—might place a lien on your injury settlement. This means they expect to be reimbursed for any care they provided. These liens can get complicated fast, especially when multiple parties are involved.
We frequently negotiate medical liens down so clients can keep more of their settlement. It’s a part of accident claims that most people don’t expect and don’t feel equipped to handle. That’s where legal representation helps.
How Insurance Companies Handle Uninsured Motorist Claims
Texas law doesn’t require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage—but many do. If you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance, you may need to file a claim under your own UM policy.
These claims often feel like you’re fighting your own insurer. We’ve seen companies deny or delay UM claims, even though you’ve paid premiums for years. They may question whether the at-fault driver was actually uninsured or try to offer a low settlement. We help clients gather evidence, submit strong claims, and fight back when insurers don’t honor their contracts.
Why Settlement Offers Aren’t Always Fair
It’s tempting to accept the first offer from an insurance company. After all, medical bills pile up quickly and you want closure. However, we always caution people to think carefully before accepting. Once you sign a settlement, your claim is over—you can’t ask for more if complications arise.
We’ve seen cases where initial offers didn’t come close to covering future surgeries, long-term care, or permanent injuries. A skilled accident lawyer helps you understand the true value of your case and fights for a fair resolution.
When A Claim Turns Into A Lawsuit
Most car and truck accident claims settle out of court. Still, there are times when filing a lawsuit is the only way to move forward. This can happen when an insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation or when liability is seriously disputed.
Filing a lawsuit shifts the dynamic. Suddenly, insurers know they’ll have to defend their actions in court. That pressure often leads to a better offer. We’ve taken many cases to trial, and we always prepare as though we’re headed there—because that preparation strengthens your claim, even if it settles.
A Quick Checklist of What To Do After A Crash
If you’re reading this after a crash, here’s what we recommend:
Seek medical care right away: Even if you feel okay, some injuries may not show symptoms immediately.
Document everything: Take photos, write down names and dates, and save all receipts related to the crash.
Don’t admit fault: Even polite statements can be misinterpreted and used against you later.
Avoid giving recorded statements: Especially to the other driver’s insurance company, as these can be used to weaken your claim.
Talk to an accident lawyer: Early legal advice can shape the direction and strength of your entire case.
The choices you make in the first few days can have a major effect on what you recover.
Reach Out to Us Today
We know how frustrating it is to deal with insurance companies after an accident. It often feels like you’re being blamed, ignored, or pushed aside when all you want is to heal. Our experienced attorney in Rockport, Texas, will step in to protect your rights, push for fair treatment, and make sure you’re not taken advantage of. We serve clients throughout Rockport and Corpus Christi, Texas. Contact Gardner Law Firm today.