| Think the speed limit for big, commercial trucks is | | | | - Don't admit fault. Have the insurance |
| too high? The American Trucking Association | | | | investigators determine liability. |
| agrees that it is. A 68mph speed limit for trucks is | | | | - Don't let time limits to file your insurance claim |
| being proposed by not everyday car passengers | | | | expire. Be sure to file on time. |
| but by a group of trucking companies that make | | | | - Don't take what insurance companies say as the |
| up the American Trucking Association. | | | | final word. Insurance companies give you low |
| The American Trucking Association along with | | | | estimated losses. |
| Road Safe America has proposed a 68 miles per | | | | - Don't sign a release or waiver. |
| hour maximum speed limit for trucks weighing at | | | | - Don't accept a check as a final payment unless |
| least 26,000 pounds or 13 tons gross vehicular | | | | you are sure it's a fair compensation for your |
| weight. The 3 mph over 65 mph speed limits is | | | | losses. Truck accidents differ from car accidents |
| given for increased speed needed when passing. | | | | in their limited visibility as well as the extent of |
| Most of these trucks already have | | | | damages and injuries due to a truck's size. Areas |
| computer-enforced systems called speed | | | | beside and behind a commercial truck exist where |
| governors, but no law exists that requires them | | | | the driver has limited or zero visibility. Trucks also |
| to be activated. Speed governors are attached to | | | | take longer distances to stop than passenger |
| a vehicle's engine to limit their maximum speed. | | | | vehicles do. Because these trucks tend to do |
| Proponents of the proposal believe that many | | | | greater damage in accidents than cars do, |
| lives could be saved as excessive speed is a | | | | truckers must carry more insurance than other |
| factor in many fatal crashes. Truckers face | | | | drivers. |
| pressures to go as fast as they can to get all | | | | How Truck Insurance Differs From Car Insurance |
| deliveries done, make up for road construction | | | | - Minimum liability coverage of $750,000 is |
| and other delays, satisfy customers who have | | | | required for vehicles weighing more than 10,000 |
| zero-tolerance late arrival policies, and make | | | | pounds and hauling non-hazardous materials |
| expensive payments if they're independent. | | | | - Minimum liability coverage of $1,000,000 for |
| The above factors combined with the sheer size | | | | hazardous materials and oil |
| of a truck make accidents not only possible, but | | | | - Minimum liability coverage of $5,000,000 for |
| also more likely to be fatal if they do occur. | | | | passenger trucks, trucks operating portable tanks, |
| Should you be involved in an accident, make sure | | | | and capacity over 3,500 gallons Some believe that |
| to: | | | | with a new, lowered maximum speed limit of 68 |
| - Promptly report the accident. | | | | mph, fewer truck accidents will take place. |
| - Think about it if the insurance company asks | | | | Others, though, believe the new proposal will |
| you if they can record the conversation. If injuries | | | | hardly make a difference and that it will in fact, |
| exist or if you think the insurance company will | | | | multiply other problems. Many worry that with |
| say you're not covered, you may want to | | | | truck speed controls in place, other cars will try to |
| contact a law firm first. | | | | pass trucks more often, which is a major cause |
| - Get details of the accident, like pictures and | | | | of car-truck accidents. Others say the proposed |
| names and phone numbers of witnesses. | | | | speed will cause traffic flow problems. If trucks |
| - Get insurance details of other people involved in | | | | stay in the right lane because of the |
| the accident. | | | | lower-imposed speed, cars could have trouble |
| - Keep a written record of conversations with the | | | | getting on the Interstate or getting over to the |
| insurance company. | | | | right lane to exit. |
| - Save bills and receipts for vehicle repair work | | | | The petition to lower truck speeds, closed for |
| and medical costs associated with the accident. | | | | public comment after March 27, is proposed to |
| - Be honest with insurance investigators so your | | | | make the roads safer for everyone. The National |
| claim is not denied. | | | | Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which |
| - See if you have more than one insurance policy | | | | studied the proposal in 1991 and said it was not |
| that provides coverage for the accident or injury | | | | necessary, will have the final say on what |
| to use. How To Get Through the Accident | | | | happens with the proposal. |
| Process With Insurance Companies | | | | |