Rescue Your Revenue

What Can an Expediter Claim from the Insurance Company After an Accident?

If you’re an expediter, your truck isn’t just a vehicle; it’s your business. When you’re sidelined after an accident, the downtime hurts even more because your freight is often urgent and time sensitive. Here’s what you may be entitled to claim from the at-fault party’s insurance, as well as what may be more difficult to recover. 

What is covered by an average trucking insurance claim?

Most trucking claims focus on the property damage side of insurance. You’ll have repairs, rentals, towing, diminished value, downtime and more. Don’t miss out on anything you’re owed. 

Diminished Value of your Equipment

Even after repairs, your truck might not be worth what it was before the accident. That’s called diminished value—and it can hit your wallet hard.

Let’s say your truck was worth $75,000 before the crash. After repairs, it’s only worth $50,000. That $25,000 drop in value? You might be able to recover that.

It’s not automatic—you’ll need solid documentation and possibly an expert opinion. But it’s worth looking into, especially if your rig is a major investment.

Extra Expenses: Travel, Lodging, Rentals

If you’re stranded waiting on repairs, extra costs like hotels, meals, Ubers or even rental trucks can pile up. Keep every receipt. These expenses can often be included in your claim.

Lost Business Revenue: Downtime Claims

A downtime claim is compensation for business revenue lost when your truck is inoperable due to an accident that wasn’t your fault. Your lost income can be a significant part of your insurance claim. In this case, it falls under the property damage portion of the claim because it’s based on the downtime of your equipment, not your body. For expediters, this is critical; every day without your truck means missed loads and lost revenue. 
 
To build a strong claim, you’ll need: 

• Repair timelines
• Load schedules or rate confirmations
• Proof of average daily income
• Communications with repair shops and insurers

Repairs & Rental Equipment

You can claim repair costs from the at-fault insurance company. You also have the right to choose your own shop; you’re not required to go where the insurer suggests. If you need to rent a truck to keep working, document those expenses too.

What is not typically covered in an average trucking insurance claim?

Some items may seem like fair items to claim, but don’t fall under property damage or only come into play with litigation. These can be much harder to collect.

Emotional Distress

Getting into an accident and being stuck at home can mess with your head. The stress of not working can even make you feel physically sick. Meanwhile, the other driver and their insurance company aren’t losing sleep over your bills piling up or your house being at risk. They don’t care that you’re struggling to feed your family.

It’s frustrating—and it feels like someone should be held responsible for the pain you’re going through.

In personal injury claims, you can sometimes get money for “pain and suffering”—that means the physical pain or emotional trauma you’ve experienced, like seeing something horrific or dealing with serious injuries. But if your claim is only about property damage or lost time from work (downtime), pain and suffering usually aren’t included.

To claim emotional distress, it typically must be serious enough that a doctor gives you a psychological diagnosis.

Interest for Delays

It’s been months since the accident. You’ve done everything right, but the other driver’s insurance keeps giving you the runaround. You’re still waiting to get paid—and it’s costing you.

You might be thinking: “They should have to pay me interest for all this delay.” Unfortunately, in most states, that’s not how it works.

Unless there’s a specific law in your state or a written contract that says they owe you interest, you usually can’t collect extra money just because they’re dragging their feet.

It’s frustrating, but knowing the rules can help you plan your next move.

Attorney’s Fees

Hiring a lawyer costs money—and after an accident, every dollar counts. So it’s fair to ask: Can I get the other side to pay my attorney’s fees?

In most states, the answer is no. The law usually doesn’t make the other party cover your legal costs, even if they’re clearly at fault.

But there are some exceptions. A few states do allow it, and sometimes it depends on the details of your case. That’s why it’s important to ask your lawyer directly—they’ll know what applies in your state.

Court Costs

Going to trial isn’t cheap. There are filing fees, sheriff’s service fees, and other costs just to get your case in front of a judge.

The good news? If you win, the judge might order the other side to pay those court costs. It’s not guaranteed, and it doesn’t cover everything—but it can help take some of the pressure off.

It’s one more reason to make sure your case is solid and your paperwork is tight. Usually, these cases don’t go to trial, so this may not apply to your situation.

What evidence will I need to get started?

Police Reports & Documentation

One of the most important things you can do after a crash is gather solid proof. The crash report is key—it helps show who was at fault. Always request a copy and double-check that everything in it is correct. 
 
If you’ve got a dashcam, save the footage right away. Take tons of photos—of the scene, the vehicles, any skid marks, and road conditions. If police don’t show up, try to snap a photo of the other driver’s license and registration. 

Also, hang on to everything: 

• Repair estimates and invoices
• Texts or emails with shops and insurance adjusters
• Rate confirmations or income records showing lost work
• Prepare the history of your income prior to the accident

All of it helps build a stronger claim and gets you closer to the payout you deserve.

The Right to Legal Help 

Navigating claims as an expediter can feel overwhelming when you’re already losing money every day your truck is down. Having a legal team on your side ensures you don’t miss out on recoverable income.

Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Every day your expedited truck is off the road costs you money. Many drivers don’t realize this lost income can be recovered and miss out on thousands of dollars. Protect yourself by filing a downtime claim.

Protect Every Dollar After an Accident

Not sure what you can recover or how to prove it? The team at Eckert & Associates, P.A. is here to help. Call 1-800-DOWNTIME or visit downtimeclaims.com today for a free consultation. We understand the expediting industry and fight to recover every dollar you deserve.

The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended as legal advice.