Iowa Senate Bill SF499

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/2/23
• Refer: 6/5/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to damages owed by a party at fault in crashes and collisions involving commercial motor vehicles.(Formerly SF 339.)

Impact

The bill introduces a significant change in how fault in accidents involving CMVs is addressed legally. Under SF499, the party at fault is liable to compensate the owner of the damaged CMV for each day the vehicle cannot operate. This compensation is based on the average revenue generated from the vehicle during the thirty days prior to the incident. Notably, the bill states that the damages owed to the vehicle owner will not be reduced by any contributory fault on their part, which marks a departure from existing laws that diminish damages based on shared fault.

Summary

Senate File 499 addresses the responsibilities of parties at fault in crashes and collisions involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The bill mandates that a party responsible for causing damage to a CMV is required to arrange and pay for a like replacement vehicle to be delivered to the owner or operator of the damaged CMV upon request. This replacement vehicle must be provided without unnecessary delay until the repairs are completed or the damaged vehicle is ready to be put back into service. Additionally, if the responsible party fails to provide a replacement vehicle, they must reimburse the owner for any costs incurred in securing a replacement, including rental charges.

Contention

Supporters of the bill argue that it provides necessary protections for CMV operators, ensuring they are not at a financial disadvantage when involved in accidents caused by others. Critics, however, may raise concerns about the implications of expanding liability in cases where multiple parties may share fault. The bill's provisions could lead to contentious legal interpretations regarding what constitutes adequate compensation and fault allocation, particularly if not all circumstances of a crash are clear-cut. This could result in increased litigation as parties navigate the revised liability landscape.