Accidents are an unfortunate reality in trucking. However, how you respond after a crash can make all the difference in resolving a claim and controlling long-term insurance costs.
When a claim isn’t reported immediately or lacks complete details, it creates a gap in the investigation process. That gap can be exploited by personal injury attorneys, who step in and drive up settlement costs. This results in insurance payouts and rising premiums for your fleet.
The High Cost of Incomplete Claim Information
Industry data shows a clear trend: claims reported promptly without complete contact information for all involved parties are significantly more likely to end up with legal representation. Once attorneys get involved, even minor incidents can become expensive and protracted negotiations.
These inflated claims don’t just affect one policy period. They can affect your loss history and lead to higher renewal rates or difficulty securing favorable terms from insurers.
What to Do After an Accident
To help protect your trucking business, every driver and dispatcher should do the following after an accident:
1. Report the claim immediately — even if it seems minor.
2. Gather complete contact information for all parties involved:
- Full names
- Addresses
- Email addresses
- Phone numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- Vehicle license plates
- Names and contact info for any witnesses
This information forms the foundation for a proper claims investigation. Without it, adjusters are limited in what they can verify and increase the chances of litigation.
While you can’t control every accident, you can manage how your drivers respond. Make it standard protocol to collect and report full accident details without delay. By doing so, you help your claims team do their job efficiently. Claims handled well mean fewer disputes, faster resolution, and lower costs.
About Western Truck Insurance Services
Western Truck Insurance Services is an insurance brokerage specializing in commercial truck insurance. We know this stuff and want to make sure you do, too. Our clients appreciate our dedication to finding competitive rates and offering unparalleled service beyond excellent insurance options. They also value how our state-of-the-art automation provides lightning-fast truck insurance quotes, customer service, insurance certificates, and coverage changes. Contact us today at (800) 937-8785 to learn more.