Semi-trucks are necessary components of domestic transportation infrastructure. Semi-trucks provide cost-effective and fast transportation for goods and materials. There are trucks capable of hauling thousands of gallons of milk at an appropriate temperature. There are even special trucks that haul brand-new vehicles to dealerships across the country.
Despite how important they are, semi-trucks are also a safety hazard for other people in traffic. A crash between a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck is likely to have dire consequences for the occupants of the smaller vehicle. Often, semi-truck collisions cause serious injuries.
In the worst-case scenario, they can lead to people dying. Those grieving the sudden loss of a loved one in a traffic collision caused by a semi-truck often worry about what the future might look like. The only way to protect against catastrophic financial consequences stemming from loss of life may be to seek compensation for the effects of the collision.
What options do surviving family members have?
Those who have lost a family member in a semi-truck crash typically have two main options for compensation. The first is a commercial insurance claim.
Semi-trucks are dangerous enough that federal authorities have established different insurance requirements for commercial vehicles. Owner-operators driving their own commercial vehicles and transportation companies typically need to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. While that is many times more than the coverage required from smaller vehicles, is still often not enough to fully cover emergency medical expenses and many years of lost earning potential.
When the estimated costs caused by a semi-truck crash go beyond what insurance can pay, surviving family members may also have the option of pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit. Depending on the scenario, the driver or the transportation company could be liable for the lifetime losses the family must absorb after a semi-truck tragedy.
Although many people do not relish the idea of litigating their situation, doing so is frequently the only surefire means of holding transportation companies and professionals accountable and fully covering the expenses generated in a tragic collision. Reviewing the crash report and other details about a semi-truck collision with a skilled legal team can help grieving family members consider their options. Demanding financial accountability can give families a sense of closure and reduce the losses they must absorb after a crash.
