What is MCS-90 in a Truck Accident?
Accidents involving larger commercial trucks often result in devastating injuries for those involved. However, commercial truckers are required to carry additional types of insurance above and beyond what is required of traditional motorists. This includes commercial insurance policies as well as an MSC-90 endorsement. An MSC-90 endorsement is an amendment to a truck driver’s auto insurance policy that guarantees a minimum amount of compensation to those injured in an accident caused by a trucking company or the truck driver. Here, we want to examine how an MSC-90 endorsement could impact your truck collision claim.
Explaining the MSC-90
Individuals who have never worked in or around the trucking industry likely have not heard of the MSC-90. However, this type of endorsement can make a big impact on whether or not individuals are able to recover compensation after crashes caused by a truck driver or trucking company.
The MSC-90 is an “endorsement” added to a commercial auto insurance policy. In general, every trucking company and motor carrier that operates across state lines is required to have this type of endorsement on their policy (an endorsement is an add-on to a standard insurance policy).
The MSC-90 is required by federal regulations for all commercial motor vehicles operated by motor carrier authorities. Additionally, private carriers that transport hazardous materials are required to have this endorsement. Individual truckers or trucking companies who failed to obtain an MSC-90 endorsement could face fines from the US Department of Transportation.
The MSC-90 does not actually add additional coverage to an existing insurance policy. The MSC-90 is an amendment to a standard commercial trucking insurance policy and guarantees that members of the public have access to at least a minimal amount of money to pay for their injuries even if the truck company’s standard insurance policy does not cover the expenses.
What This Means for You
If you or somebody you love has been injured as a result of the careless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company in Georgia, you should be able to recover compensation. Usually, individuals in these circumstances are able to recover compensation from the at-fault driver’s commercial insurance policy or the insurance policy of the trucking company. However, if it turns out that the claim is denied, individuals may still be able to recover compensation through the MSC-90 endorsement.
A skilled truck accident attorney should be involved in your case. In fact, one of your first phone calls needs to be to an attorney after a truck accident occurs. A lawyer can conduct an independent investigation into the incident and gather any evidence needed to prove liability. A lawyer will also handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance carriers involved in these cases. They will explore every possible route of compensation, including an insurance settlement, the MSC-90, and even a personal injury lawsuit against the truck driver and motor carrier involved.
Recovering compensation in these cases can be challenging, particularly when individuals have to go up against well-funded insurance carriers and trucking companies. A Georgia truck accident lawyer can help level the playing field by providing the resources necessary to go toe-to-toe with these other entities.