How much liability insurance are truckers required to carry in Texas?

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident caused by a negligent trucker, one of your major concerns is the amount of his liability insurance coverage. The reality is that you will need to rely in part on his insurance company to compensate you for your injuries, because the trucker will not have sufficient income or assets of his own to pay you.

Here, we discuss the minimum truck driver insurance requirements in Texas and why this is not enough to fully compensate you.

How Much Liability Insurance Are Truck Drivers Required to Carry in Texas?

Both Texas and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have specific insurance and minimum liability insurance coverage requirements for truck drivers. While the minimum required coverage will provide you with some compensation for your injuries, it is often insufficient to pay you the full amount you are owed. Texas’ minimum liability insurance requirements are the following:

• $300,000 liability coverage if the truck contains household goods
• $500,000 liability coverage if the truck is carrying general freight
• $1,000,000 liability coverage if the truck is transporting oil
• $5,000,000 liability coverage if the truck is transporting HAZMAT substances

How to Hold the Trucking Company Responsible So That You Receive the Compensation You Deserve

Unfortunately, the truck driver’s liability coverage may not be sufficient to compensate you for all of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Even if you suffer soft tissue injuries to your shoulders, neck, back, or other parts of your body, you could need months of treatments like physical therapy and pain medication before your doctor decides that they are not working and that you need surgery. If you suffered more serious injuries, you could become permanently disabled.

You most likely will need to hold the trucking company responsible for compensating you as well as the truck driver. Their liability insurance coverage should be substantially more than his. Fortunately, under the legal theory of vicarious liability, trucking companies are often liable for the actions of a negligent trucker who causes an accident if he was acting in the scope of his employment. In addition, you may have separate claim against the trucking company, such as for negligent hiring or retention of the driver or for violation of a federal regulation governing the company.

You need an experienced truck accident attorney to help you identify all the liable parties in your truck accident and negotiate your settlements with them for you. Contact our office today or fill out our online form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation to find out about your legal options.