Unfortunately, due to their size and weight, trucks can be dangerous. Recognizing this, the trucking industry is heavily regulated by federal law.
Insurance Regulations for the Trucking Industry
Both individual states and the federal government have specific laws governing large truck operations within their jurisdiction. The insurance coverage the Federal Government requires large trucks to carry is spelled out in Title 49 Section 387 of the United States Code.
Federal law mandates trucks carrying freight to have liability insurance between $750,000 – $5,000,000, depending on the weight of the truck and what is being transported. Vehicles weighing under 10,001 pounds, and carrying non-hazardous materials, are required to carry a minimum of $300,000 of liability insurance. When a truck carries hazardous materials, the insurance requirements are greater.
These liability insurance regulations are meant to protect victims of truck accidents from truckers and trucking companies that cannot afford to compensate truck accident victims out of their own pockets. The required liability insurance exists to pay for bodily injury and property damages suffered by accident victims. Because of the importance of this coverage, and because the minimums have not been raised in 30 years, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is considering raising the liability insurance limits.
Higher insurance limits are urgently needed. Trucking companies that have the minimum $750,000 in coverage, simply will not have enough money to compensate seriously injured accident victims or the families of people who have been killed.
Damages in a Trucking Accident Case
Because of the size and weight of a truck, any truck accident is likely to result in severe injuries and property damage. This means there will likely be much higher damages in a truck accident case than in an auto accident lawsuit.
Although the damage trucks can cause is immense, who is responsible for truck crash injuries is not always obvious. If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost someone in an accident involving a commercial truck, you may be entitled to compensation for injuries, loss of earnings, and pain and suffering.
Contact an Experienced Long Beach Personal Injury Attorney to Assist You with Your Claim
“Your Injuries are Personal to Me”
My law practice exclusively represents personal injury victims and does so with a deep understanding of their suffering and an absolute commitment to their recovery. I take your injuries personally, and that is why I directly handle all aspects of every case to ensure that you receive maximum compensation.
Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You are under no obligation and you will never pay any money unless you recover damages for your injuries. I offer bilingual services as part of my comprehensive approach to legal representation and I am available 24/7 to talk to you about your case.