Navigating Insurance Challenges After a Truck Accident: What You Need to Know
Facing a truck accident with potential insurance issues can be a complicated and stressful experience. Recently, a situation arose involving a trucking company that appears to be attempting to evade their insurance obligations following a minor collision on the highway. Here’s an overview of the situation and some guidance on the steps to consider.
The Incident
A small collision occurred when a trucker merged illegally over double lines into the vehicle of an affected party, resulting in an estimated $11,000 in damages. The driver involved provided their insurance details and even photographed the policy. Upon investigation, however, significant discrepancies surfaced.
Insurance Discrepancies
Contacting the trucking company’s representative revealed that their insurance policy had been terminated two months prior to the accident date. Efforts to follow up with the driver’s manager have been met with silence, as they are avoiding further communication. Additionally, verification through the Department of Transportation records indicates that the company’s only active insurance policy was with Geico Marine—a provider not typically associated with trucking or commercial vehicle coverage.
Industry experts suggest this may be a tactic used by some trucking firms to maintain active status while circumventing the minimum insurance requirements mandated for cargo and liability coverage. These companies sometimes hold non-relevant policies to present as insured, even if they lack proper commercial coverage when most needed.
Recent Filings and Possible Motives
Interestingly, the trucking firm filed their MCS-150 form three days after the accident, which is a required document updating their operational details. This timing raises questions about their transparency and intentions—are they trying to stall or hope the issue will fade without accountability?
Legal and Insurance Considerations
In this case, the driver involved, who is the claimant, holds full coverage for their vehicle. However, at the time of the incident, they were driving for Uber and have not disclosed this to their personal insurer. It’s possible they might have separate Uber insurance, but clarity on this is lacking. This lack of transparency complicates the decision-making process regarding filing claims or pursuing legal action.
Questions to Consider
- Should you immediately engage a lawyer to assess your options?
- Is sending a certified letter demanding compensation a prudent first step?
- Might it be better to file a lawsuit proactively rather than waiting for the trucking company’s next move?
- Should your insurance be contacted directly, or is pursuing the trucking company’s insurance more appropriate?
Additional Concerns
Given the uncertainty about the trucking company’s actual coverage,
