Top 4 Insurance Claims of 2010
This has been a very busy year for Peak Claims with both property and cargo related damage. Since several of our claims made the evening regional news we thought it would be appropriate to gather up a few of them for the first annual “Peak Claims – Top 4 Insurance Claims (of 2010″. Due to the sensitive nature of these claims, all names and general indicators of involvement have been redacted. In no particular order they are:
1. Total Loss Tractor Trailer Accident & Fire - This loss made the evening news as it caused extensive delays and temporary closure of I-70 in central Colorado. Prior to the collision, a passenger car had collided with a large Elk on the interstate, causing the battery of the car to become disconnected which resulted in the car having no tail lights. The semi-truck driver did not see the vehicle and collided with it. All passengers of the automobile were not in the vehicle at the time of the collision and only moderate injuries were sustained by the truck driver.. It was discovered by the Highway Patrol that the collision sheared open the entire diesel fuel tank of the truck and sparks ignited the fire. The remote location of the incident combined with a diesel fuel fire left little time for extinguishing the blaze and a total loss resulted to the tractor as well.
Total Loss Truck Tractor Damages
Total Loss Trailer Cargo Damage
2. Total Loss – 60,000 lbs Raw Beef Food Product – We were contacted by a global container company and ocean shipping company to investigate a cargo loss involving raw beef food product intended for delivery overseas. According to all parties, a reefer container was improperly set for 23 degrees Centigrade (Celsius) instead of 23F, or perhaps -23F. The setting happened just prior to the sail date and was corrected in a short time after the ship set sail. Upon arrival to the consignee in Japan, the container was refused and sent back to the consignor in Colorado. The FDA did not approve the use of the product, but our investigation revealed the responsible parties and documentation was secured for subrogation purposes.
Meat Product Damages totaling 60,000 lbs
3. Total Loss – 20,000 Gallons of Olive Oil – Although this claim didn’t involve extreme visible damages, our President says Olive Oil is something worth talking about. The containers are small but the value is big at around $16 per gallon and this shipment involved about 20,000 gallons. It was determined that the consignor stacked pallets of these cans on top of each other with only a thin layer of fiberboard separation to support the weight of the pallets. As a result, the containers sustained an overload during ocean transit and partially collapsed causing small leaks in the containers. Needless to say, you could smell the Olive Oil from a block away as it had leaked all over the pavement, and probably along the interstate from California to Utah. The container was a workman’s compensation claim waiting to happen in itself.
Olive Oil Cargo Damages
4. Total Loss – Three Unit Tractor – Trailer Collision – Finally, we’re looking at one of Colorado’s worst semi truck and trailer incidents of the year. We were assigned this loss because of our experience and expertise in handling multiple truck incidents. This truck was the last of three tractor-trailer operations involved in the incident. US Highways 385 and 287 are a 2 lane operation that merge and run together north of Dalhart, Texas. The highway was closed to one-lane operation and this driver failed to stop or slow down for the one lane operation, which was halted as he approached at approximately 65 mph. This truck rear ended another stationary rig, which forced that one into another stationary rig. This driver and the one in front were victims of a casualty and did not survive. Cargo was badly damaged in both vans and we helped gather evidence to support indemnification.
Truck Damages - Liability Claim
Truck Damages - Liability Claim
Peak Claims leads Colorado, Utah, Texas, Kansas and other states in Cargo Damage Surveys, Trucking Liability, Subrogation Investigations and Missing/Lost or Astray Cargo Investigations. The company has operated out of it’s headquarter office in Denver Colorado since 2005 and is managed by Phillip A. Crimaldi. Contact Peak Claims for your insurance claim service needs today.
