Unfortunately, accidents are a part of life. Whether it’s in day-to-day life or business, the only thing we can do is guard against them. From a commercial trucking business perspective, the risks of accidents are even higher. Statistics show that 500,000 trucking accidents occur annually in the United States alone. And although driver distraction from a cell phone and driver fatigue are the most common causes of truck accidents, there are other causes that are completely out of your control.
With this knowledge, it’s evident that the odds aren’t on your side, and your business policy probably doesn’t cover your commercial truck or fleet. Nevertheless, you should have a clear set of procedures and policies in place in case of an accident. Here is some much-needed direction to that effect.
1. Lawyer Up
If your large or small business heavily relies on logistics, it’s essential to know your legal rights and have an attorney on stand by. However, not just any kind of attorney will do; a truck accident attorney is apt. Despite how regulated the trucking industry is, truck accidents have become the order of the day. So, to cover yourself, your staff, and goods in the event of a commercial truck accident, a personal injury lawyer with years of experience can help.
According to Los Angeles based semi truck accident lawyer Daniel Kim, the commercial trucking industry is widely known for contributing danger to the road. Enlisting the services of a car accident lawyer such as Daniel Kim will ensure your business is covered in the event of a truck accident injury. He is specialized in insurance company formalities, medical treatment, injuries, and even stress.
What’s more, he offers a free consultation and his service further ensure that victims get due settlement based on the injuries and damage incurred. This is mostly because he understands the ins and outs of the law and regulations governing the industry.
2. Get Business Insurance
Any business owner who doesn’t have an insurance policy is asking for a shortlived company. With this in mind, it’s imperative to cover all your assets. The thing is, finding a business insurance plan that suits your company isn’t easy these days. Nevertheless, the iSelect platform offers a one-stop location to find and compare commercial auto insurance rates.
They equally provide all the information business owners should be equipped with before opting for any type of insurance plan. This covers cyber liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, tradies insurance, public liability insurance, and even personal accident insurance. What’s more, the service is mainly targeted at small business owners as well as entrepreneurs looking to protect their growing businesses.
3. Get a Vehicle Insurance Plan
To ensure that the vehicle fleet is always ready for use and damage can be repaired quickly and easily, all that is needed is a single, very comprehensive vehicle policy. This should cover the insurance of all vehicles in a company.
As the name implies, vehicle insurance solely can cover a single vehicle or an entire fleet. In some selected cases, a large commercial truck used for your business can also be covered by your personal auto policy. However, it’s essential to approach this step from an informed stance. Alternatively, you can have a chat with a certified agent for specifics on the kind of coverage needed.
4. Prepare All Documentation
If, or when, an accident occurs, documentation is vital. If you’re going to make any claims, you need to have the proper documentation in hand. Ensure that you get a copy of the accident report, and instruct your employees to get pictures of the car and crash site.
Sharing these pictures with your insurer is one way to streamline the process of getting your insurance claim. To really get a full picture of what happened, it won’t be a bad idea to instruct employees to get eyewitness reports. Anything that can support your claim is welcome.