Legal Concerns with an Uninsured Trucking Company After a Highway Collision
Navigating a traffic accident involving commercial vehicles can be complex, especially when the liable party appears to lack valid insurance coverage. Recently, I encountered a situation where a trucking company, involved in a minor collision on the interstate, seems to be attempting to avoid accountability. Here’s an overview of the incident and the issues at stake, along with insights on how to proceed.
Incident Summary
While traveling on the highway, our vehicle was involved in a small collision caused by a trucker merging unexpectedly over double solid lines into our lane. The estimated repair cost is approximately $11,000. The truck driver initially provided what appeared to be insurance details, and I captured a photo of their insurance information. However, upon verifying with the insurance company, I discovered that their policy had expired two months prior to the incident.
Attempts to Contact and Verify
Subsequently, I reached out to the truck driver’s manager at the trucking firm, but received no concrete answers. Instead, I was told to get back in touch once the manager was available, and my calls have since gone unanswered. To further investigate, I checked the company’s registration details via the Department of Transportation (DOT) website. Interestingly, their current active insurance appears to be through Geico Marine, which is unrelated to commercial trucking. This raises suspicion that the company may be attempting to circumvent minimum insurance requirements by holding a policy that does not cover their trucking operations.
Regulatory Filings and Company Status
Notably, the trucking company filed their MCS-150 form (used to report fleet and operational data) just three days after the accident, which could suggest an attempt to update their records or mask their insurance status. This behavior warrants concern regarding their intent to avoid liability.
Legal and Insurance Considerations
Given these circumstances, several questions arise:
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Is the trucking company intentionally delaying addressing their liabilities, hoping the issue will fade over time?
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Should I retain legal counsel and send a formal, certified demand letter for compensation?
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Is pursuing immediate legal action advisable?
My father-in-law, the driver involved, carries full coverage insurance, but at the time of the collision, he was working for Uber. He has not disclosed this to his insurance provider, though he may hold Uber-specific coverage. This creates hesitations about filing a claim, as insurance companies sometimes deny coverage for accidents occurring during ride-share services.
Next Steps and Recommendations
Considering
