While many truck drivers work for trucking companies or major retailers like Walmart and Amazon, there are also many truck drivers who are owner-operators. These truck drivers don’t work directly for a company, but instead work for themselves. Companies that don’t want to pay full-time truck drivers hire owner-operators on an as-needed basis—allowing them to keep their payroll costs down while also mitigating their risk of facing liability for trucking accidents.

What does this mean for you if you were injured in a truck accident involving an owner-operator? Can (and should) you still hire a Birmingham truck accident lawyer to help you seek just compensation?

Owner-Operators Have Clear Legal Duties and Can Be Held Liable for Their Negligence

Even in truck accident cases involving owner-operators, victims can seek the full compensation they deserve. Owner-operators are required to carry liability insurance, and they are required to keep their trucks in safe operating condition in addition to following the rules of the road. Maintenance issues and mistakes behind the wheel are among the leading causes of truck accidents—and they can both provide clear grounds for truck accident victims to hold owner-operators (and their insurance companies) fully accountable.

Important Steps to Take After a Truck Accident Involving an Owner-Operator

With this in mind, if you have been injured in a truck accident involving an owner-operator, there are some important steps you should take promptly. Taking these steps will help maximize your chances of recovering just compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses. To give yourself the best chance of filing a successful claim with the owner-operator’s insurance company, you should:

  • Get the Medical Treatment You Need – After a truck accident involving an owner-operator, getting the medical treatment you need should be your first priority. You do not want to let your injuries get worse, as this could compromise your health and your legal rights.
  • Keep as Much Information as Possible – From the owner-operator’s insurance information to any photos or videos you took at the scene of the accident, you should keep as much information as possible. Any information you can share with your lawyer will be helpful in the early stages of your claim.
  • Be Very Careful About What You Say to the Insurance Companies – If you contact the insurance companies (or if the insurance companies contact you), you need to be very careful about what you say. In particular, you should not say anything that suggests you were, or even may have been, partially at fault in the accident.
  • Start Documenting Your Accident–Related Losses – As you begin the recovery process, you should also begin documenting your accident-related losses. You should keep your medical bills and employment records (if you miss time from work), and you should take notes detailing how the accident negatively impacts your life on a daily basis.
  • Learn More About the Compensation You May Be Entitled to Recover – If you were seriously injured in a truck accident involving an owner-operator, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. To learn more about the damages available in Alabama truck accident cases, you can read: What Compensation Can (and Should) You Seek for a Truck Accident in Alabama?

Of course, in this scenario, it is important to consult with an experienced Birmingham truck accident lawyer promptly as well. Your lawyer will be able to collect the necessary evidence on your behalf and deal with the owner-operator’s insurance company while you focus on getting better. Your lawyer will also keep you updated throughout the process, and your lawyer will help you make informed decisions (including decisions about settlement) every step of the way.

What to Expect from Your Claim with an Owner-Operator’s Insurance Company

Even when you are struggling to cope with the financial and non-financial costs of serious accident-related injuries, the insurance companies will still put their interests first. This is critical to keep in mind—and it is one of several reasons why it is important to have an experienced Birmingham truck accident lawyer on your side. When you file a claim with an owner-operator’s insurance company after a truck accident in Alabama:

  • The Insurance Company Will Only Tell You What It Wants You to Know – To find out the true cause of your truck accident, you will need to hire a lawyer to investigate the accident and gather evidence with your best interests in mind.
  • The Insurance Company Will Not Calculate Your Losses for You – If you don’t know how much you deserve to recover for your financial and non-financial losses, the owner-operator’s insurance will not offer you just compensation.  
  • The Insurance Company Will Deny Your Claim if It Has Any Grounds to Do So – If the owner-operator’s insurance company can find any justification to deny your claim, it will not hesitate to do so.
  • The Insurance Company May Also Deny Your Claim Without Valid Grounds – In some cases, insurance companies will deny accident victims’ claims without valid grounds as well. In fact, bad-faith insurance claim denials are alarmingly common.
  • The Insurance Company Will Blame You for Your Losses at Every Opportunity – From accusing you of causing the accident to accusing you of ignoring your medical needs, the owner-operator’s insurance company will try to blame you for your losses at every available opportunity.

Unlike the insurance companies, your Birmingham truck accident lawyer will put your interests first. Your lawyer will determine if you have grounds to file an insurance claim; and, if you do, your lawyer will fight for the full compensation you deserve. To give your lawyer the best chance of fighting for just compensation on your behalf, get started with a free consultation today.

Get the Help You Need from an Experienced Birmingham Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Were you injured in a truck accident involving an owner-operator in Alabama? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation. To speak with an experienced Birmingham truck accident lawyer in confidence as soon as possible, call 205-855-2745 or tell us how we can reach you online now.