Federal laws require commercial trucks to carry a minimum amount of insurance to cover damages following accidents. But, do these minimums actually fully compensate those injured in serious trucks accidents?
Learn more about whether truck companies have full insurance coverage in Ohio for trucking accidents.
Understanding Minimum Insurance Requirements for Trucking Companies
According to the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is an agency that regulates commercial trucks and buses, companies must maintain a minimum amount of insurance to cover damage to trucks, the freight they were carrying, and any injuries sustained.
To comply with regulations, trucking companies must get liability insurance. This type of insurance is bare minimum coverage that only covers bodily injury and property damage. Whether truck companies in Ohio have full insurance coverage depends on the size of the truck and the type of load it carries.
Why Trucking Companies Decide to Self-Insure
As a way to save money, federal laws allow trucking companies to self-insure their businesses to pay for its own general liability insurance. By choosing to self-insure, they have more control over the claims they pay out, which can mean injured parties may not be able to collect fair compensation for their losses.
This is part of the reason why you should contact a personal injury attorney in Ohio as soon as possible after a truck crash. A lawyer will represent your best interest and protect you from any traps the insurance company might use to settle for a lower amount.
Filing a Claim After a Commercial Truck Accident
Individuals injured in truck accidents in which the truck driver is at-fault due to negligence must find out whether the trucking company is self-insured. Self-insured trucking companies have more control over the claims they pay out. Since many take this route to save money, if you seek compensation for your injuries, they likely will try to make you settle for less money.
Though these truck companies may not have full insurance coverage for all your expenses, you are still entitled to seek damages to compensate for:
- Prescriptions
- Lost income
- Hospital bills and medical expenses
According to Ohio’s statute of limitations, one generally has up to two years to file a claim.
Get a Free, No-Obligation Case Review
Truck accidents are typically more severe than regular auto accidents and can be devastating to you and your family when one gets seriously injured. Focus on getting better and call our firm, Bressman Law, at (614) 538-1116 to get the legal help you need. We fight to get you justice and fair compensation for your injuries, so you can work toward getting your life back. We offer a free, no-obligation initial case consultation.