Most truck accidents involve serious injury and /or death. Because a typical rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, occupants of a 4000-pound passenger car have little chance of escaping serious injury on impact.
That’s why it’s important for truck drivers to have proper liability insurance coverage. In this article, we will discuss the amount of liability insurance that truck drivers must have and why it is crucial for their business.
Liability insurance is a type of insurance that protects the insured party from claims made by a third party for damages or injuries. In the case of truck drivers, this means that if they are involved in an accident and are found at fault, their liability insurance will cover the costs of any damages or injuries to the other party.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all commercial truck drivers to have a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. For general freight carriers, the minimum coverage is $750,000, while hazardous materials carriers must have a minimum of $5 million in coverage. These amounts may seem high, but they are necessary to protect both the truck driver and the public in the event of an accident. Intrastate truckers in Texas can carry $500,000 in liability coverage.
Given the serious injury potential of large commercial vehicles, the minimum insurance required for commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds and subject to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations is $750,000.
Our experience as truck accident lawyers is that motor carriers carry at least a 1 million dollar primary policy, and most companies with more than a few trucks carry an umbrella policy.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations specify larger insurance coverage for trucks carrying hazardous material and commercial passenger vehicles.
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Given the propensity for serious injury and wrongful death arising from an 18-wheeler accident, most insurance companies who underwrite large truckers’s Insurance Policies have “quick response teams” on the site of the accident in 24 hours or less.
The purpose of such teams is to gather information helpful in the defense of a wrongful death or serious injury lawsuit. The defense of truck accident cases frequently centers on efforts to shift responsibility from the driver or company to the plaintiff or other third parties.
Liability insurance protects the public and the truck driver’s business. Without proper coverage, a truck driver could face significant financial losses in the event of an accident. These could include paying for damages, medical expenses, and legal fees. By having the required liability insurance, truck drivers can protect their business and ensure that they are able to continue operating.
While the FMCSA sets the minimum coverage requirements, truck drivers should consider additional coverage options. These can include physical damage coverage, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing the truck in the event of an accident. It’s also important to consider cargo insurance, which covers the cost of any lost or damaged cargo during transport.
Truck drivers need to work with a reputable insurance provider when it comes to finding the right liability insurance coverage. They can help determine the appropriate coverage amounts for your specific business and ensure that you are fully protected. It’s also important to regularly review and update your coverage as your business grows and changes.
Liability insurance not only protects the public but also protects the truck driver’s business. Without proper coverage, a truck driver could face significant financial losses in the event of an accident. This could include paying for damages, medical expenses, and legal fees. By having the required liability insurance, truck drivers can protect their business and ensure that they are able to continue operating.
Additional Coverage Options
While the FMCSA sets the minimum coverage requirements, truck drivers should consider additional coverage options. These can include physical damage coverage, which covers the cost of repairing or replacing the truck in the event of an accident. It’s also important to consider cargo insurance, which covers the cost of any lost or damaged cargo during transport.
Finding the Right Coverage
Truck drivers need to work with a reputable insurance provider when it comes to finding the right liability insurance coverage. They can help determine the appropriate coverage amounts for your specific business and ensure that you are fully protected. It’s also important to regularly review and update your coverage as your business grows and changes.
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Call us to learn your rights and options if a loved one is hurt in a trucking accident. (281) 893-0760.
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