I was hit by a truck driver in a big rig who is self employed and has expired insurance. How do I recover for damages?

Question: While passing by the exit of a truck stop, I was hit by a big rig. The driver didn’t even seem to notice me as he entered the highway. We stopped and exchanged insurance information. Since then, I’ve discovered he no longer has insurance through the company he referenced (his I.D. card had expired) and he’s a freelance truck driver. I did manage to write down his entire license plate number while I was talking with him. How can I proceed against this driver?

Response:  Given all of the misinformation you were given by the other driver, you should hurry and contact an attorney to represent you in this matter. He or she should be able to help you locate that wayward truck driver by having the proper authorities run that license plate number for you through your state’s vehicle registration database. Your lawyer can also tell you what type of accident reports you may need to file to fully protect all of your rights.

Truck drivers cause a frightening number of accidents every year since many of them don’t stop and obtain adequate sleep. A large number of them stay quite fatigued because they know the faster they can drop off one load, the quicker they can go pick up another one and deliver it. Their efforts to maximize their income in the shortest stretches of driving time threaten all of us.

Answered by Elizabeth Smith

Additional Resource: State Laws Related to Trucking Accidents

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