Commercial Motor Vehicle Insurance

The insurance company often pays damages to the victim in truck accident cases, subject to reimbursement by the company. The provisions regarding truck accident insurance are pretty favorable to victims because of the “MCS-90 Endorsement.” A vehicle must carry the minimum amount of insurance that depends on what kind of vehicle it is and its load.

Take action quickly if you are a truck accident victim. A California truck accident attorney can help you establish medical documentation of your injuries and represent you against the trucking company and insurer. Call our truck accident attorney at (916) 270-6880 for a free consultation to learn more about your case.

Commercial motor vehicle insurance requires greater minimum liability coverage than non-commercial car insurance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) usually sets the minimum amount. Still, sometimes states may have their own laws regarding minimum coverage. For vehicles that operate on an interstate basis, however, the provisions of the FMCSR apply. 

Under the FMCSR, the following are the amounts of insurance that a commercial motor vehicle must carry: 

• $750,000 for commercial motor vehicles that do carry non-hazardous materials. 
• $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for commercial motor vehicles that transport hazardous materials
• $1,500,000 to $5,000,000 for commercial motor vehicles that transport passengers. 

Take note that the amounts of $750,000, $1,000,000, and $1,500,000 are just the minimum amounts of insurance that a commercial truck must carry. The actual coverage limits may be higher. 

The FMCSR does not provide a strict definition of hazardous materials. The Secretary of Transportation has the prerogative to determine what constitutes hazardous materials. It may include materials or substances that can pose an unreasonable risk.

As mentioned earlier, the MCS-90 Endorsement makes truck insurance a little more favorable to victims. The MCS-90 Endorsement is not an additional form of insurance, although some motor carriers may confuse it for one. It is merely an assurance coming from the insurance company that they will pay in case of liability stemming from accidents. It makes it easier for victims to claim damages because the law requires insurance companies to pay them under the MCS-90 Endorsement.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations have helped victims secure compensation for their injuries through increased insurance requirements for trucking companies. With that said, obtaining compensation in truck accident cases requires proving liability either in negotiation or litigation. Call our personal injury attorney at (916) 270-6880 for a free consultation to learn more about your case.