On Oct. 24, 2010, in Henderson County, a speeding tractor-trailer crashed into a line of cars stopped on Interstate 26 due to an earlier crash. My son, Chuck Novak, was killed.

The total number of fatalities and injuries in the crash that killed Chuck was 15. The motor carrier that caused the crash only held a $1 million policy, slightly higher than the minimum now required, which was split among five families who lost loved ones and 10 injured, as well as all other parties who had a claim to the settlement, such as emergency responders and the state of North Carolina.

The insurance did not come close to covering medical costs of those injured or providing for surviving families and children, like my grandson.

It is time for Congress to increase the minimum levels of insurance required by trucks so that they can actually cover the costs of crashes like the one that killed my son.

Please ask your representative and senator to raise the minimum level of insurance to cover catastrophic crashes, because no family should have to endure the grief of suddenly losing a loved one as well as financial devastation resulting from the same crash.

Jackie Novak

Hendersonville

Link to Article: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20151203/OPINION/151209957?tc=ar