An 18-wheeler accident can be devastating. They are typically more serious than other motor vehicle accidents because of the sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles. Semi-trucks are constantly on Louisana roads and highways, meaning the risk to you is high. A negligent driver may cause catastrophic injuries to you and your family. When this happens, you may be left wondering what Louisana truck insurance requirements do to protect you.
At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, our highly experienced truck accident lawyers are ready to consult on your case. To help you get started, we answer frequently asked questions about Louisana semi-truck insurance and how it may help you recover compensation after an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about Louisiana truck insurance requirements? Here are answers to some common questions we get about these serious accidents:
1. What Is Commercial Truck Insurance?
Commercial truck insurance is a liability policy that covers the costs of an 18-wheeler accident. This insurance is meant to help protect injury victims like you so that compensation is available after an accident.
Commercial truck insurance differs from typical motor vehicle insurance, such as the insurance that you must carry on your car. The applicable coverage minimums are higher than for ordinary vehicles because the government recognizes the dangers of these massive trucks.
2. What Does Commercial Truck Insurance Cover in an Accident?
Commercial truck insurance covers your monetary damages after a major truck accident. This includes physical damage coverage for your vehicle and other personal property. This may compensate you for costly car repairs or even replacement costs if your car is totaled. Truck insurance is also meant to cover your medical payments and compensate you for non-economic damages, such as the pain you suffered. Truck insurance companies are supposed to help compensate you when a negligent driver causes an accident.
Truck insurance also covers damages for the truck driver and trucking company. It may compensate the driver for their own injuries or the company for damage to the vehicle. Many trucking companies also carry insurance for the truck’s cargo, which can be extremely valuable. In a car accident case, you care about the coverage that applies to you. A dedicated truck insurance attorney can help you pursue the compensation to which you are entitled under the policy.
3. When Is Commercial Truck Insurance Required?
Commercial truck insurance is required if either Louisiana or federal law requires that type of truck to carry it. Under federal law, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations regulates commercial truck insurance requirements. Also known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA), it mandates that certain vehicles must carry specialized insurance.
The federal law also sets forth specific insurance minimum coverage requirements based on the type of truck and cargo it hauls. Examples of these insurance requirements include the following:
- $300,000. If the truck operates in interstate or foreign commerce, weighs less than 10,000 pounds, and carries non-hazardous cargo, the minimum insurance coverage amount is $300,000.
- $750,000. If the truck operates in interstate or foreign commerce, weighs 10,000 pounds or more, and carries non-hazardous cargo, the minimum insurance coverage amount is $750,000.
- $1,000,000. If the truck operates in interstate or foreign commerce, weighs 10,000 pounds or more, and carries oil, the minimum insurance coverage amount is $1,000,000.
- $5,000,000. If the truck operates in interstate or foreign commerce, weighs 10,000 pounds or more, and carries hazardous substances as defined by 49 CFR 171.8, the minimum insurance coverage amount is $5,000,000.
Trucking companies may carry higher insurance coverage than the required legal minimums. Your attorney can help analyze the insurance policy to determine what coverage is available to help in your case.
4. Should I Talk With a Truck Insurance Company After an Accident?
Be careful when talking with an insurance company representative following an accident. Truck insurance adjusters are trained to avoid coverage however they can. They often do this by trying to blame you for the accident or trick you into making statements that take the blame. They may ask about what you did immediately before the crash, your driving history, and more.
Never admit fault, even partial fault, when talking with an insurance agent. Speak with your attorney first and let them handle this interaction to protect your legal rights. If you receive a voicemail or message before you are represented, speak with a truck accident lawyer right away.
5. Are Commercial Truck Insurance Minimums Enough Coverage for My Accident?
Truck insurance coverage is supposed to help pay you for damages after an accident, but is it enough? This depends heavily on the facts of your case. Some accidents are painful and expensive but well within the minimums set by law.
Some cases are much more costly, and damages may range into the millions. In these cases, insurance minimums are sometimes insufficient to account for the victim’s total damages. However, insurance coverage is only one potential source of compensation. You may also seek compensation directly from the negligent defendant, the trucking company, and other parties who might be responsible.
6. How Do I Sue a Truck Insurance Company for Coverage?
You can pursue compensation from a truck insurance company through a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance companies are often named defendants alongside the negligent driver or trucking company in these civil cases. If appropriate, a qualified personal injury lawyer can include the insurance company directly in the legal complaint.
In other cases, the insurance company is not named directly in the lawsuit but is a part of the case in other ways. For example, insurance companies are often engaged in settlement negotiations or payout of any jury verdicts.
7. What Compensation Am I Owed After a Truck Accident?
In a successful Louisiana truck accident lawsuit, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent party and their insurance carrier that may include:
- Past and future medical costs
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Costs of a new disability
- Lost future earning capacity and lost income
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship and support
Contact a Lousiana Truck Insurance Coverage Lawyer For Help
The Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers are here to help if you were involved in a serious truck accident. We have decades of experience filing truck accident claims and handling commercial insurance companies. We know how to negotiate a favorable settlement when insurers are willing to pay their fair share. Our trial attorneys are also prepared to litigate your case if an insurance company refuses to negotiate fairly.
Louisiana truck insurance may help you win compensation for your truck accident injuries. Contact us today for a consultation on your case.
