How Does Insurance Pay for an Accident Involving an Interstate Truck?

Most accident claims against truck drivers and trucking companies get resolved through insurance settlements with the insurance companies involved.

However, a claim involving a commercial truck may be more complicated to resolve than a typical claim with your insurer for a minor auto accident. The injuries in a semi-truck accident are often more severe, and the amounts of compensation sought are much higher. More insurance carriers may be involved.

If you have suffered significant injuries in an interstate truck accident in Indiana, you deserve answers to your questions about truck accident claims work and what to expect. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for a free case review. Our knowledgeable and compassionate attorneys will answer your questions and help you evaluate your legal options. You’ll understand why truck accident victims choose us to stand up to trucking companies on their behalf and demand maximum compensation.

Types of Insurance Coverage for Interstate Truck Accidents

Insurance policies carried by truck drivers and trucking companies engaged in interstate trucking provide various types of coverage, such as:

• Primary liability coverage – Primary liability coverage is a truck insurance policy that covers the truck driver, the truck’s owner, and the trucking company for liability. The liability insurance requirements for interstate trucks range from $750,000 up to $5 million, depending on the type of freight the truck transports. Liability insurance covers property damage, bodily injury, and death resulting from a truck accident caused by the truck driver or trucking company. If the truck driver is a for-hire driver, the trucker and the trucking company may have separate liability insurance policies.
• Physical damage coverages – These are optional policies that protect the truck’s owner from repair costs or loss of the truck due to collisions, fire, flood, weather, or theft.
• Motor truck cargo coverage – This insurance covers damage to cargo or loss of cargo.
• Hazardous materials liability – Truck drivers and trucking companies that haul hazardous materials, including flammable, toxic, or radioactive materials, have much higher liability insurance requirements than carriers that transport non-hazardous cargo. These policies provide that additional coverage.

Multiple insurance policies may provide compensation after a semi-truck accident. An experienced truck accident attorney will spend time identifying all the parties who are potentially liable and the insurance policies that apply to the accident.

Factors Affecting Insurance Claims for Interstate Truck Accidents

Some of the most critical factors that affect the value of your insurance claim after getting into an accident with an interstate truck include:

• Fault determination – The insurance company’s determination of fault for the truck accident will affect its willingness to settle and the amount of compensation it may pay. When the evidence clearly shows that the accident occurred due to the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence, the insurance company will be more likely to offer a significant settlement to avoid the expense of trial and the risk of a larger jury verdict. Conversely, if the insurance company contends that you bear some partial responsibility for the accident, the insurer may refuse to settle or minimize any settlement offer.
• Insurance policy limits – Insurance companies will only pay claims up to the policy limits of the applicable coverage. If your losses exceed the policy limits, you cannot demand anything more than that from the insurer.
• State and federal regulations – Insurers may also agree to a more favorable settlement when a truck driver or trucking company has violated federal trucking regulations. This is true because you may have a stronger case under a theory of negligence per se rather than having to prove negligence if no regulation had been violated.

Do You Need More Information? Call Us for a Free Consultation Today!

When you’ve suffered injuries in an interstate truck accident caused by a negligent truck driver or trucking company in Indianapolis, get experienced legal guidance. When you call Craig, Kelley & Faultless, our Indianapolis truck accident lawyers can deal with the insurers on your behalf and negotiate for full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC at (800) 746-0226 today for a free case evaluation with a semi-truck accident lawyer. Let’s discuss how our firm can fight for the financial recovery and justice you deserve.