A New York woman’s Toyota is in rough shape after an uninsured semi-truck driver crashed into her. To make matters even worse, she doesn’t have collision insurance.
TikTok user Faith (@faithhrusk) posted a video detailing her insurance nightmare last week. “This is your sign to get collision coverage on your vehicle,” she says to start the video. “Tell me why a semi hit my car, the whole bumper came off, and insurance doesn’t cover it?”
She explains that the truck driver didn’t have insurance, and the trucking company itself didn’t carry a policy either. “What do we do at this point?” she asks. “I have to pay completely out of pocket. My car’s been sitting there for two weeks now because I really don’t know what to do.”
She asks commenters for help deciding what to do. “Do I tow it to a mechanic?” she asks. “Do I keep it there? Do I sell it? I have no idea. I just want to drive a car.”
Gallery: 2023 Toyota Corolla
Viewers React to New York Toyota Corolla Driver's Insurance Nightmare
In the comments section, viewers expressed both empathy for Faith’s situation and healthy skepticism that the trucking company is being forthcoming with its insurance status.
"If the trucking company has no insurance, you need to report them to the [United States] Department of Transportation," said one viewer.
A second person said, "Trucking companies must have insurance to operate. As long as you know which truck hit your car, you can collect from their insurance. If they truly don’t have insurance, you’ll have to sue them for damages."
@faithhruska Guys I can’t afford a new car what do I do😭 thanks to the semi that hit my parked car and pulled it away from the curb #hitandrun #car #caraccident #carinsurance ♬ original sound - Faith Elizabeth
The Facts About Commercial Truck Insurance Coverage
Not only are trucking companies required to maintain insurance coverage by state law, but the federal government has its own insurance coverage requirements for truck drivers using the interstate highway system. So the commenters are correct that, in theory, every trucking company should hold enough liability insurance to cover the damages in a wreck like this.
Unfortunately, not every commercial truck operator follows the rules. In the event that an uninsured or underinsured commercial truck driver causes an accident, the victim might end up having to sue both parties to recover the costs.
Of course, that’s a long and difficult process that isn’t certain to work out in the victim’s favor. That’s probably why Faith is preaching about the benefits of collision coverage.
What’s the Difference Between Liability and Collision Insurance?
States make drivers purchase liability insurance, which covers damage the insured does to other people or property. Collision insurance is what covers the driver’s own vehicle in case of damage.
If a person is in an accident with a semi truck in New York, they have to pursue their car insurance for short-term medical expenses and go through a longer process to file a claim or suit against the trucking company. If you only maintain liability and not collision coverage, you won’t be able to file a claim with your insurance. That’ll leave you waiting on a settlement from the trucking company that, depending on the facts of its insurance status, might never come.
Motor1 contacted Faith via TikTok comment and direct message for comment.
