Commercial Truck Insurance Coverage Requirements

Transport companies or motor carriers have enhanced minimum requirements for financial responsibility, also known as truck insurance. If the truck involved in your Kentucky truck accident was not properly insured, this can seriously impact your personal injury claim. A Kentucky truck accident attorney can help you review the details of your accident claim and explain how insurance impacts your case.

Commercial Truck Insurance Limits

Depending on the type of commercial truck and the commodity transported, commercial truck insurance limits can vary from vehicle to vehicle. The following limits are currently in effect:

• $750,000 minimum for for-hire trucks weighing 10,001 or more pounds for interstate or foreign commerce while transporting nonhazardous property;
• $5 million minimum for for-hire and private trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more for interstate or foreign commerce while transporting specific hazardous substances;
• $1 million minimum for for-hire and private trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more for interstate or foreign commerce while transporting oil, hazardous waste, and specific hazardous materials; and
• $5 million minimum for for-hire and private trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or less for interstate or foreign commerce while transporting specific hazardous substances.

Hazardous Material Transport and Commercial Truck Insurance

The minimum requirements for commercial truck insurance increase as the type of cargo being transported becomes more dangerous. Federal regulations classify many types of cargo as hazardous and further categorizes them into divisions. Hazardous materials that require the motor carrier to have a minimum of $5 million in commercial truck insurance coverage include:

• hazardous substances as identified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration;
• radionuclides; and
• radioactive material.

The reason commercial truck insurance rates are so much higher for hazardous material transport is because of the increased risk of catastrophic injury in a Kentucky truck accident. A relatively minor Kentucky truck accident can turn serious or even deadly if the hazardous cargo on the truck spills.

Commercial Truck Insurance and Your Kentucky Truck Accident

After you have been in a Kentucky truck accident it's important to find out the truck driver's commercial truck insurance standings when filing your personal injury case. Because of the increased risk of severe injury and death in accidents involving commercial trucks, the minimum coverage for insurance is much higher than it is for passenger vehicles.

If you are considering a personal injury lawsuit after your Kentucky truck accident, you should seek the help of an experienced Kentucky truck accident attorney. Attorneys who specialize in truck accidents will know about the commercial truck insurance requirements and be able to help explain the details of your claim to you and your family.

Consulting with a Kentucky Truck Accident Attorney

If you have been involved in a Kentucky truck accident you should be aware that a discrepancy in the drivers' commercial truck insurance can have a substantial impact on your claim. An experienced Kentucky truck accident attorney will be familiar with the insurance minimums and be able to help you investigate the drivers' coverage.

When building your personal injury case, you'll want the experience and knowledge of a truck accident attorney at Gray and White Law. Our attorneys will give your case the personal attention it requires and work with our team of experts in re-creating the accident to fight for your case. Contact us today for a free case consultation - 1-800-634-8767.