Legal Concerns with Uninsured Trucking Company Following Highway Accident
Introduction: Navigating a Potential Insurance Crisis After a Minor Collision
Encountering a minor collision on the highway can be stressful enough, but situations become more complicated when the at-fault party appears to lack valid insurance coverage. Such is the case with a recent incident involving a trucking company that seems to be trying to avoid its financial obligations. This post discusses the key developments and advises on the best steps moving forward.
Incident Overview: The Highway Collision
The incident involved a small accident on the highway resulting from a truck merging across double solid lines into our vehicle, causing estimated damages of approximately $11,000. The truck driver initially provided an insurance policy, which I captured with a photo. However, subsequent verification revealed that the policy had been canceled two months before the accident.
Attempts to Contact the Trucking Company
After reaching out to the trucking company’s management, responses have been evasive. The company manager advised me to call back when he’s in the office but has since avoided returning calls. Meanwhile, a search on the Department of Transportation (DOT) website indicates that the firm’s only active insurance is through Geico Marine, an insurance policy unrelated to commercial trucking. Industry insights suggest that some companies attempt to use non-direct insurance policies to meet legal minimums temporarily, but these do not provide actual coverage for trucking operations.
Legal and Strategic Considerations
The trucking company filed their MCS-150 registration update just three days after the accident, which raises questions about their transparency and intent. Given these circumstances, several critical questions arise:
- Are they deliberately delaying, hoping the incident will be forgotten or the issue resolved without their necessary acknowledgment?
- Should you engage a lawyer immediately to protect your rights?
- Is sending a certified letter demanding compensation an advisable step?
- Or should legal action be initiated promptly through a lawsuit?
Insurance Concerns and Personal Protection
Your father-in-law, the driver involved, has full coverage on his personal vehicle but was operating as a rideshare driver at the time. He has not informed his insurance provider about Uber driving, and it is unclear whether his Uber coverage applies in this incident. There is also a concern that filing a claim through your own insurance might result in policy cancellation or denial, especially if the insurer deems the accident occurred while driving for Uber, which might be excluded from personal coverage.
Additional Insurance Considerations
It remains uncertain whether the trucking company may hold other forms of insurance not publicly listed or
