Being involved in a semi-truck accident can be very stressful and unnerving. Regardless of who was at fault, the extent of damages can range from a minor “fender bender” to major damages that keep you off the road for several weeks until your truck is repaired.
While you will certainly be concerned about the damage to your semi-truck and its major operating components—engine, brakes, transmission, etc.—one thing often overlooked after an accident is whether you need replacement truck seats.
Accidents Cause Damages That Are Not Always Seen
One problem with commercial truck accidents is they can cause damages that you do not always notice or see. The impacts from a crash not only damage the exterior of your truck but can also send vibrations throughout the entire cabin.
For example, truck seats, even unoccupied ones, will experience crash forces. They can be forced forward while the seat base pulls them backward, resulting in damage that can be invisible. As a result, the damage could prevent the seat and the seat belt restraint system from working correctly should you ever get into another truck crash.
Therefore, the extent of these vibrations from impacts could damage your truck seats, so they are no longer safe. To help determine if truck seat replacement is needed, ask yourself the following:
- Did your airbags deploy?
- Was the truck undrivable after the accident?
- Did you sustain any serious injuries?
- Were the doors to the cabin damaged?
- Is there any visible damage to the seats?
- Was the air suspension system damaged?
- Do features like air lumbar support, heated and cooled seats, or massage no longer work?
If you answered yes to one or more of these, then you should include replacement truck seats as part of your damages you submit to your insurance adjuster, so your semi-truck can be repaired correctly.
Insurance May Cover the Costs of Replacement Truck Seats
Whether you work for a truck company or are an independent truck driver, the insurance company will often cover any costs associated with replacing semi-truck seats after an accident. However, you may have a deductible that will lower the total amount reimbursed by the insurance company.
To ensure your new commercial truck seats are part of your insurance claim, include them with your repair estimates. Then submit the new seat estimate and other repair estimates to your insurance adjuster.
Most insurance policies will cover the costs of new seats as long as the repair shop has verified their damages.
Why You Should Never Buy Used Air Ride Truck Seats
Most truck repairs after a truck accident must be completed by a qualified repair shop to ensure your truck meets FDOT and other safety requirements once it is back on the road. While it can be tempting to save a little money and buy used air ride truck seats, don’t.
For starters, you are not going to put any money in your pocket by buying used truck seats. The only one that benefits is the repair shop. However, if they suggest you get used seats, you may want to consider a different repair shop, as this practice is a bit shady.
The next problem with used seats is you do not know their accident history. They could have come from another truck that was also in an accident.
In addition, you have no guarantee that the seats will meet safety standards in the event of another accident. Therefore, when you need to replace the truck seats in your semi after an accident, you want to get the best semi-truck seats possible by purchasing new ones.
Features to Consider When Replacing Semi-Truck Seats
When choosing a new truck seat, you want to select one comparable to or better than the one you currently had. While your insurance will cover up to a set amount for the new seat, you may want to splurge and upgrade to a better semi-truck seat that is more comfortable and which has the features you desire, such as:
- Air Lumbar Support
- Heating and Cooling
- Massage
- Dual Arm Rests
- Extra Padded Seat Cushions
- Multi-Directional Seat Adjustments
You may even want to custom order your new seats to get new seats personalized just for you and your truck. For further information on how to order replacement truck seats after a truck accident and assistance in finding the best semi-truck seats for your truck, please feel free to contact Suburban Seating & Safety at 1-844-SAS-SEAT (844-727-7328) today!
