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Why Truck Accidents Often Involve UIM Claims

Commercial truck accidents tend to cause catastrophic injuries due to the sheer size and weight difference between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle. Medical bills from spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and internal organ damage can easily reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

While federal regulations require commercial trucking companies to carry substantial liability insurance—typically $750,000 to $1 million or more—some trucking operations carry only the minimum. Owner-operators and smaller carriers may not carry enough coverage to fully compensate victims of a serious crash. When the trucking company’s insurance falls short, your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage becomes critical.

When UIM Coverage Applies to Truck Accidents

UIM coverage kicks in when the at-fault party’s liability insurance is not enough to cover your total damages. In a truck accident, this can happen in several situations. The trucking company carried minimum federal insurance and your injuries exceed that amount. The truck was operated by a smaller carrier with limited coverage. Multiple victims are sharing the same policy limits, reducing the amount available to each person. The driver was an independent contractor with a separate, lower-limit policy.

For example, if a semi-truck rear-ends your vehicle on I-74 near Peoria and you sustain a traumatic brain injury with $1.2 million in damages, but the trucking company’s policy limit is $750,000, your UIM coverage could potentially cover some or all of the remaining $450,000 gap.

Investigating Truck Accident Insurance Coverage

Truck accident insurance situations are more complex than typical car accident claims. There may be multiple policies in play: the trucking company’s primary liability policy, the driver’s personal policy, cargo insurance, umbrella policies, and potentially coverage from a broker or freight company.

A thorough investigation is necessary to identify all available insurance before turning to your own UIM coverage. At Parker & Parker, our personal injury attorneys work with investigators and insurance experts to trace every available policy and maximize the total recovery.

Coordinating Multiple Sources of Recovery

In a truck accident UIM claim, the order of recovery matters. Typically, you first pursue the at-fault trucking company’s liability insurance. Once those limits are exhausted or offered, you can then open a UIM claim with your own insurer. Your UIM insurer is entitled to a credit for the amount you received from the trucking company, so your UIM recovery covers the difference between their payment and your total damages, up to your UIM policy limit.

If you carry substantial UIM limits or can stack coverage from multiple vehicles, this can significantly increase your total compensation. This is especially important in truck accident cases where injuries are severe and long-term care costs are substantial.

Protect Yourself Before an Accident Happens

The best time to prepare for a truck accident is before one happens. Review your auto insurance policy and make sure your UIM limits are as high as you can reasonably afford. If you have already been injured in a truck accident and believe the trucking company’s insurance may be insufficient, contact Parker & Parker for a free consultation. We handle serious accident cases throughout Central Illinois.

Injured? Get a Free Case Review.

The personal injury attorneys at Parker & Parker have been fighting for accident victims in Peoria and across Central Illinois for over 25 years. Call (309) 674-0044 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my UIM coverage after a truck accident?

Yes. If the trucking company’s liability insurance is not enough to cover your total damages, your own underinsured motorist coverage can help bridge the gap, up to your policy limits.

How much insurance do trucking companies carry?

Federal regulations require most interstate commercial carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, with higher minimums for hazardous materials. However, some smaller operations or owner-operators may carry only the federal minimum.

What should I do if the trucking company’s insurance is not enough?

Contact a personal injury attorney who can investigate all available insurance policies, including the carrier’s primary liability, umbrella coverage, and your own UIM coverage, to maximize your total recovery.

Dealing with injuries after a car crash can feel overwhelming. Our our Peoria personal injury team can guide you through every step of the legal process.

Need a lawyer? This article is part of our Peoria Car Accident Lawyer practice area. Call Parker & Parker at 309-673-0069 for a free consultation.

Underinsured Motorist Claims After a Truck Accident in Illinois