Despite the inherent danger they pose to others on the roadway, tractor-trailers and other large trucks are a common site on America’s roadways. The reason for this is simple – we have yet to find a more efficient method to move cargo from point A to point B in the United States. Fortunately, these mammoths of the roadway are heavily regulated by the federal government. For example, tractor-trailers and other large trucks are required by federal law to carry insurance. If you are ever injured in a Michigan trucking accident in which the truck was at fault you should (at least) be able to count on the defendant having adequate insurance coverage to cover your damages.
Injuries caused in a trucking accident are frequently severe, even fatal. The laws of physics tell us that the average passenger vehicle weighing in around 4,000 pounds does not stand a chance against a fully loaded semi-truck weighing 80,000 pounds. With this in mind, the U.S. federal government requires large trucks to carry sufficient liability insurance to adequately compensate most victims should a truck cause, or contribute to, a collision.
Title 49, Section 387 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations is where most federal insurance requirements can be found. Trucks weighing over 10,000 and carrying non-hazardous cargo are required to maintain a liability insurance policy with a minimum limit of $750,000 for injuries to people and/or property. Trucks with a gross weight of under 10,000 pounds and carrying non-hazardous cargo must carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance at all times.
If the truck is carrying hazardous cargo the insurance requirements increase. A tractor-trailer hauling hazmat is required to carry at least $1 million in liability insurance and potentially as high as $5 million. Trucks under 10,000 pounds carrying hazardous materials are also required to have at least $5 million in liability insurance.
Clearly, no amount of compensation is worth the injuries that all too often occur in a trucking accident; however, it is reassuring to know that if you, or a loved one, are injured in a Michigan trucking accident, compensation should be available if the truck was at fault.
If you have been injured in a Michigan trucking accident you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact the experienced Michigan trucking accident attorneys at Slusky and Walt, the American Benefit Experts, by calling 1-800-ABE-HELPS (1-800-223-4357) today to schedule your free consultation.
- I was hit by a car in a parking lot causing serious injuries, who will pay my medical bills? - May 17, 2016
- What should I bring to my Social Security hearing? - April 19, 2016
- What should I wear to my Social Security hearing? - April 5, 2016
Leave a Reply