People involved in motor vehicle collisions often expect reasonable compensation. They might want to pursue insurance compensation from a driver who caused their crash. Some collisions lead to very straightforward compensation claims. It is obvious who is to blame for the crash, and they carry enough insurance to fully reimburse the people affected by the wreck. Other times, the situation might be more serious. There could be inadequate insurance or catastrophic losses to address. There may be questions about liability and financial responsibility.
Commercial vehicle collisions involving passenger vehicles are often relatively complex cases. The people in a passenger vehicle may have a hard time knowing what steps to take to secure the compensation they require.
What often complicates the pursuit of financial compensation following a crash caused by a commercial vehicle and/or its operator?
The possibility of severe injuries
The size discrepancy between a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck is significant. The smaller vehicle is at risk of significant damage. The potential for more severe injuries is also a concern. The total cost of a semi-truck collision can be multiple times more than a crash at the same speed involving a smaller vehicle.
It can often be quite challenging for individuals to accurately estimate the financial impact of a severe collision because they have to address future expenses, including future medical care costs and lost wages. The injured party may have a more difficult time realistically establishing the cost of a crash involving major injuries caused by a semi-truck collision.
The insurance coverage available
Insurance requirements apply to commercial carriers, not just individual drivers. Those who own passenger vehicles have to carry liability insurance that complies with state law. Commercial vehicles have to carry policies that meet federal standards. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates $750,000 of liability coverage.
That theoretically means better compensation for the injured party, but it also means a more difficult claims process. Insurance companies with more to lose are often much more aggressive about negotiating settlements. There can also be confusion regarding liability after a semi-truck crash. Injured people may not know whether they should take action against the company or the driver if a lawsuit is necessary.
Reviewing the details of a semi-truck collision with a skilled legal team can help people avoid common pitfalls and maximize the compensation they ultimately receive. Those who understand that commercial crashes tend to be more difficult to address may use that knowledge to improve their chances of securing appropriate compensation for their harm.