Truck accident settlements
Hit by a big truck and handed an offer? Call for a free review.
Call about my crash(833) 716-6705
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A truck accident settlement can draw on far more insurance than a car crash. Federal rules require for-hire interstate trucks of 10,001 pounds or more hauling ordinary freight to carry at least $750,000, per 49 CFR 387.9.
Which insurance pays
The trucking company's liability policy is usually first. The driver may work for the company, lease to it, or own the truck. A trailer owner, a cargo loader or a repair shop can share the blame, each with its own insurer.
| What the truck carries | Minimum coverage |
|---|---|
| Ordinary freight, for hire, 10,001 lb or more | $750,000 |
| Some hazardous materials | $1,000,000 |
| The most dangerous hazardous loads | $5,000,000 |
Typical amounts
No public source tracks truck settlements. They run higher than car claims because injuries are worse and limits are higher.
Back surgery with $60,000 in bills fits well inside a $750,000 policy.
So the policy limit is rarely what caps a truck claim; the evidence is.
Steps
- Photograph the truck's door, which shows the company name and a USDOT number.
- Get the driver's name and the company's insurer.
- See a doctor the same week.
- Call us, so a lawyer sends a letter telling the company to keep its logs and data recorder.
- File suit before your state's deadline, listed in the 50-state deadline table.
Truck accident settlement questions
Why are truck accident settlements larger?
The injuries are often worse, and trucks carry far more insurance than cars. Interstate freight trucks must carry at least $750,000.
Who can be responsible in a truck crash?
The driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, the shipper who loaded it, or a repair shop. Each may have its own insurer.
What records matter in a truck accident claim?
The driver's logbook or electronic log, the truck's data recorder, inspection reports and the driver's hiring file. These can be lost if no one asks for them early.
How long do I have to file?
The same state deadline as any crash: one to six years depending on the state, and two years in 25 of them. Federal rules do not extend it.
What to do now
Call about my crash(833) 716-6705
Our team answers 24/7, goes over your crash free, and finds you a car accident lawyer with no fee unless you win.
Call before you sign anything or answer the trucking company's questions, because the company decides what records to keep. the injury deadline is two or three years in most states, and that clock started the day of the crash. Call now for a free case review while the evidence still exists.