Insurance Requirements on Big Commercial Trucks

If you were hurt in an accident with a commercial truck, you’re likely dealing with serious medical expenses right now.

Accidents with commercial trucks are often catastrophic, leaving victims with critical injuries often more serious than accidents with other cars and extensive damage to vehicles. In cases like this, it’s important to know the insurance requirements on big commercial vehicles in Texas so that you understand what these vehicles are insured for and how you can pursue a claim for your injuries.

Injured in an accident with a commercial truck? Help is only a phone call away. Call Shaw at 800-862-1260 for 24/7 assistance.

A new bill was introduced in 2013 to better protect the public from the rising impact of big truck accidents. This law was designed to increase insurance minimums that trucking companies are required to adhere to.

As a result, commercial truck drivers are required to carry commercial PIP (personal injury protection) insurance. This insurance is sometimes called “no-fault insurance” because it is designed to cover the costs of an accident, regardless of which driver was at fault.

PIP insurance is used to compensate victims after an accident for:

• Medical Expenses
  • Treatments,
  • Surgeries,
  • Procedures,
  • Appointment Costs,
  • Medication,
  • And Medical Devices Necessitated by the Accident,
• Lost Income Resulting from Disability,
• Costs Associated with Rehabilitation,
• And Funeral Expenses (in the event the driver and/or passenger is killed in the accident)

Federal Law sets minimum requirements to protect the public from negligent drivers and trucking companies. This law has been in effect since the 1980s. These laws govern any vehicle that crosses state lines, as well as specific vehicles that only operate in one state.

Minimum insurance requirements also vary from state to state. Vehicles operating in Texas must adhere to state minimums and federal minimums.

Many companies require set liability limits regardless of the type of materials being transported, while others are content to abide by bare minimum standards.

Here are some examples:

In Texas, insurance requirements for this type of vehicle is $300,000. If the goods are transported across state lines, federal regulations mandate a minimum of $750,000 worth of coverage.

Texas and federal laws for this type of vehicle are the same, with both mandating a minimum of $500,000 in coverage.

Both Texas and federal laws for the transport of oil or hazardous materials are the same. Vehicles transporting oil must carry a minimum of $1,000,000. Those transporting any type of hazardous material must carry a minimum of $5,000,000.

The minimum requirements set by Congress were created to protect innocent victims of commercial truck accidents and ensure that they aren’t left drowning in bills for an accident that wasn’t their fault.

But these requirements don’t always function as intended.

Minimum insurance coverage doesn’t always cover the victims of catastrophic accidents completely. In these cases, they are left to cover the difference themselves, making the laws ineffective.

With any luck, Congress will work together and take the necessary action to increase the minimum limits of insurance for the trucking industry. Large trucks continue to catastrophically injure and kill thousands of victims each year – the victims of these truck crashes should be adequately compensated, no matter what.

Big insurance companies are not on your side, and you don’t have to fight for the compensation you deserve on your own.

Don’t settle for anything less than your case is worth. Call Shaw.

Minimum insurance requirements may not cover the costs of your accident – we’re prepared for that. Our team of semi-truck/18-wheeler accident attorneys has represented victims like you for over 31 years, and we have the know-how and resources to take your case to court if we have to.

If you were hurt in an accident with a large commercial truck, you could be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Bills,
• Surgeries,
• Disfigurement,
• TBI,
• Spinal Cord Injury,
• Disability,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Lost Work/Loss of Earning Capacity,
• Wrongful Death,
• Burial/Funeral Costs,
• And More.

We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.

Help is only a phone call away for victims of commercial truck accidents in Texas. Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 for a free case evaluation with one of our semi-truck/18-wheeler accident attorneys.

No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. We look forward to serving you.

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