Are Trucking Companies Required To Have Full Insurance Coverage In Texas?
Yes. The simple answer is trucking companies in Texas are required to have insurance coverage. The term “full coverage” does not exist. Instead, full coverage refers to a combination of coverages to protect a motor vehicle. The answer becomes more complicated because Texas trucking companies must abide by state and/or federal insurance laws.
Either way, you will need to deal with the insurance companies if you’re injured in an accident with a trucking company vehicle. In that case, you will want a Dallas truck accident lawyer advocating on your side for the right to compensation. Fill out the contact form on our website and a representative from our office will be in touch with you shortly.
Insurance Needed for a Dallas Trucking Company Varies
The minimum amount of insurance coverage for a truck depends on the following:
- The weight of the commercial truck when fully loaded.
- The type of cargo transported. For instance, different insurance coverage applies to non-hazardous and hazardous materials.
- Whether the truck operates intrastate (within Texas) or interstate (across state lines).
Insurance Requirements for Intrastate Trucking Companies
The amount of truck insurance for intrastate is set by Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). It sets the minimum amount of commercial insurance coverage at $500,000.
Insurance Coverage for Interstate Texas Trucks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the laws regarding how much coverage is needed by a Texas trucking company. The amount of coverage depends on the weight of the commercial truck and type of materials they transport. For example, trucks transporting non-hazardous materials and weigh less than 10,001 pounds must carry at least $300,000 in insurance coverage.
The other insurance requirements are:
- $750,000 in coverage when carrying nonhazardous materials and weighing more than 10,001 pounds.
- $1 million for trucks transporting oil, hopper-type vehicles or cargo from or to Texas to another state.
- $5 million for trucks carrying hazardous materials.
4 Main Types of Insurance Coverage for Trucking Companies
In addition to the minimum insurance a trucking company must carry, it can obtain additional insurance coverage. The four main types of commercial insurance coverage are:
- General Liability Insurance: This insurance is similar to auto insurance for a passenger vehicle. It protects a trucking company in a lawsuit where its driver was responsible for a crash. This is the minimum coverage requirement.
- Extended Liability Insurance: Extended liability insurance offers greater protection for the trucking company because it offers more than the minimum coverage.
- Eroding Policy: A eroding policy allows a trucking company to subtract the cost of its defense from the coverage.
- Self-Insured Retention Policy: This insurance coverage allows a trucking company to add $250,000 to their insurance policy. For instance, if Texas only requires $750,000, the company can increase it to $1 million. However, the trucking company is responsible for the first $250,000 of damage to you and/or your motor vehicle.
Getting Money for a Truck Accident
A truck accident is any type of traffic accident involving a commercial truck such as an 18-wheeler. The accident may involve a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or pedestrian. Truck accidents often cause severe injuries. Truck accident victims often receive compensation from the trucking company’s insurance coverage. However, a trucking company’s insurance coverage will often determine how hard or easy it will be to obtain money.
For instance, an expanded liability policy gives a trucking company the incentive to fight a case. If it loses the case, it may lose more money. Self-insured retention policy affects how much money you receive from the trucking accident. Typically, you receive more money when negotiating with the insurance company than the trucking company. An eroding policy gives your personal injury lawyer an incentive to resolve your case quickly and for the payout.
Getting an Insurance Payout for a Texas Accident.
Negligence is the legal term to describe who was responsible for a truck accident. Negligence is the failure to act as a responsible person would in the same or similar circumstance. This means proving the trucking company or its driver failed to act as a responsible person would and cause the accident.
Proving negligence, or fault, requires your attorney showing you were a victim, how the accident occurred and why you deserve money. In Texas, elements are used to help you prove their case. These elements are:
- The driver or trucking company owed you a legal duty. This legal duty was to protect you from harm. This means they were legally responsible for ensuring your safety while the truck was on the road.
- The driver or trucking company breached their legal duty by causing the truck accident.
- The actions or inactions of the driver or trucking company led to your injuries that occurred in the accident.
- You deserve money to cover your bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Contact our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, about Your Texas Truck Accident.
Trucking companies must have insurance for their vehicle to be on the roadways. That does not mean they are willing to pay if they are responsible for injuring you. Contact our firm, a Dallas car accident law firm, about your case. We offer a free case evaluation. You have the right to receive money for your injuries regardless of the type of insurance coverage the trucking company has. Call us at 469-998-4069.