Des Moines, IA (Radio Iowa)– A compromise between Iowa’s trucking industry and trial lawyers would create new liability protection from lawsuits filed over accidents involving commercial vehicles.

The Iowa House, on a 58-to-42 vote, has approved a bill that would set a five million dollar cap on so-called pain and suffering damages in most lawsuits filed over wrecks involving commercial vehicles like semis and tow trucks.

Representative Megan Jones of Sioux Rapids says this bill has been nothing short of a nightmare in her mind.

Representative Jones adds that in her opinion a reduction in insurance premiums is not worth the life of another person.

Jones became emotional during her comments as she talked about a great aunt who was killed decades ago when the car she was in struck a truck parked, without its lights on, in the middle of a highway at night. Her family didn’t sue, but Jones says she won’t vote to limit what other families in similar circumstances can do.

Earlier this year, most Republicans in the Iowa Senate voted for a TWO million dollar cap on non-economic damages in lawsuits filed over trucking accidents. Governor Reynolds has previously proposed a ONE million dollar limit, so it’s unclear if the Senate will accept the FIVE million dollar cap.