By Olivia Clark
If your truck is sidelined because of someone else’s negligence, you need to know your rights and how to protect your income. In many states, the law allows you to pursue the at-fault party’s insurance company for the business income you’ve lost—but only if you take the right steps.
What is Downtime?
Downtime is the time your truck is out of service due to an accident that wasn’t your fault. Every day your truck sits in the shop is a day you’re not making money. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your lost revenue from the at-fault party—but only if you handle the claim the right way.
Why Should Gen Z Truckers Care?
As a younger driver, you’re likely focused on building your business, maintaining financial stability, and keeping up with the latest trucking technology. But one unexpected accident can put you out of work for weeks or months, costing you thousands of dollars. Without downtime compensation, that lost income comes straight out of your pocket.
What You Need to Do If You’re in an Accident
If another driver causes a wreck that takes your truck off the road, here’s what you should do to protect your downtime claim:
- Gather Evidence at the Scene – Take photos of the accident, damage, and road conditions. Get the other driver’s info and any witness statements.
- Get a Police Report – This official document can support your claim.
- Track Your Lost Revenue – Keep records of your average weekly earnings and any expenses related to your downtime.
- Work With an Attorney – Insurance companies won’t just hand over downtime compensation. An experienced trucking attorney can help you fight for what you’re owed—not from your own insurer, but from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. At Eckert & Associates, we negotiate directly with their insurer to recover your lost income.
How Insurance Can Help
Many Gen Z truckers run their own businesses, whether as owner-operators or lease operators. That means dealing with insurance can be a headache. It is essential for you to have the right insurance coverage when starting your trucking career. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Property Damage coverage can help protect your right to recover downtime after being hit by someone without enough coverage or with no coverage at all. Eckert & Associates works to fill the gap between insurance coverage and business losses; helping you win your downtime claim and protect your rights. Talk with your agent about what insurance is right for you, and how you can ensure your business is covered.
Eckert & Associates doesn’t just help truckers understand their own coverage—we go after the at-fault party’s insurance company to recover the compensation you deserve. Many truckers assume their own insurance will cover downtime, but in most cases, it won’t. That’s why we fight to hold the responsible party and their insurer accountable for your lost revenue.
New Truckers, Protect Your Rights
Being a trucker in 2025 isn’t just about driving—it’s about understanding your rights, protecting your income, and preparing for the unexpected. If you ever face downtime due to someone else’s negligence, don’t just accept the loss. Know how to document your claim, fight for compensation, and keep your trucking career moving forward.
Want to learn more about how to fight for compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance? Visit DowntimeClaims.com to protect your business and get back on the road faster.
About the Author:
Olivia Clark is the Assistant Marketing Manager at Eckert & Associates, PA, a law firm dedicated to helping transportation professionals recover losses after accidents. With a Hootsuite marketing certification and a Bachelor of Arts from Regent University, Olivia combines her creative talents with strategic thinking to craft educational blogs, videos, and print content. She also builds partnerships with transportation businesses, making it easier for clients to connect with the firm and for referrals to flow smoothly.
Olivia began her journey in the legal field as an administrative assistant but quickly found her niche in marketing. Her strong communication skills and genuine empathy allow her to connect with clients and help them take the first steps in their legal cases. During college, she served as Marketing Director for Regent University’s Student Leadership Board and was the founding president of the Protestant Student Fellowship. Olivia is passionate about creating content that educates and empowers people to understand their rights. When she’s not working, she enjoys painting, reading, sipping coffee, and spending time with her pets: Brutus, Tyson, and Albus.