How does insurance work in a truck accident?
Insurance plays an important role in covering costs and damages resulting from a truck accident in Washington State. Typically, the truck driver’s and the trucking company’s liability insurance will cover the damages caused by the truck. The truck driver’s insurance coverage may include bodily injury liability, property damage liability, and uninsured motorist coverage. If the truck driver is employed by a trucking company, the employer may also carry liability insurance that may include commercial liability and motor truck cargo insurance. If the driver or trucking company is found to be negligent or at fault for the accident, their insurance policy may pay for medical expenses, lost wages, repairs to property, and other costs associated with the accident. In the event that the driver’s or trucking company’s policy does not cover all costs related to the accident, the injured party may have to use their own insurance policy. This could include health, homeowner’s, or auto insurance depending on the type of accident and coverage. In addition, depending on the facts of the case, the at-fault driver or trucking company may be required to pay punitive damages. Punitive damages are an additional form of compensation that can be awarded in cases where the court finds the at-fault party acted with gross negligence, malice, or fraud. These damages are intended to punish and deter reckless behavior. Because punitive damages are not typically covered by liability insurance, the at-fault party may be required to pay them out of pocket.
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