You could suffer life-altering injuries in a Norfolk or Virginia Beach truck accident. If you have to file a claim with the insurance company for the truck driver, you need to know the amount of insurance they must carry. However, the rules are different for trucks traveling in our state and those traveling across state lines.
How Much Insurance Coverage Must a Trucker in Virginia Have?
Truck drivers must carry a certain amount of liability insurance coverage under Virginia and federal law. Here are the amounts they are required to have intrastate under Virginia Code §46.2143-1:
- For a truck having a gross weight over 7,500 pounds, the trucker must carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance.
- If the truck has a gross weight in excess of 10,000 pounds, the truck driver must have a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage.
If a trucker drives interstate, they must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules regarding how much insurance coverage is required. The minimum insurance coverage they must carry is:
- They must have at least $300,000 in liability coverage if the truck’s weight is less than 10,000 pounds or $750,000 in liability coverage if the truck’s gross weight is more than 10,000 pounds when they are transporting nonhazardous materials.
- If carrying hazardous materials, they must carry at least $5,000,000 in insurance coverage.
Why Do You Need to Know How Much Insurance Coverage the Truck Driver Has?
It is always crucial to know how much insurance coverage the truck driver and any other liable parties, such as the trucking company, shipper, and trailer owner, have so that you know how much money there is to compensate you for your injuries. You should never settle your claim until you find out how much insurance coverage there is and consult with a skilled truck accident lawyer about the settlement offer.
Were you or a family member injured in a truck crash that was not your fault in Virginia Beach or Norfolk? Our experienced truck accident attorneys can collect the evidence you need to win your case, find out the insurance coverages for all liable parties, and fight so that you obtain the compensation you are entitled to under Virginia law. Call our Norfolk office at 757-625-1214 or complete our online form to schedule your free initial consultation today to learn more about how we can assist you.