The standard tractor trailer in California is approximately 72 feet long. That is nearly the length of the average high school basketball court. When fully loaded, these tractors are permitted to carry a maximum of 80,000 pounds. As commercial trucks are extraordinarily large, it is imperative that they are always operated with the utmost care and professionalism.
Notably, California has specialized insurance regulations in place that require commercial trucks to carry additional liability coverage. As a baseline, commercial trucks carrying over 10,000 pounds generally need at least $750,000 in liability insurance. Here, our Stockton truck accident lawyer provides an overview of insurance requirements for commercial trucking operations in California.
An Overview of Minimum Liability Requirements for Commercial Trucks in California
For a passenger vehicle, the minimum required motor vehicle insurance is $15,000 for injury/death to one person and $30,000 for injury/death to more than one person. Commercial trucks are required to carry insurance with far more expansive liability coverage. As explained by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), all commercial trucks are weigh more than 10,000 pounds—including trailer and its contents—are required to carry:
- A minimum of $750,000 of liability coverage per accident.
Note: A truck transporting oil needs a minimum of $1 million in liability coverage. A truck transporting hazardous material (hazmat) must have a minimum of $5 million in liability insurance.
Dealing With a Trucking Company’s Insurer is Never Easy (Four Tips You Can Use)
It is a good thing that commercial trucks in California are required to carry additional liability insurance. If a crash happens, tractor trailers can cause extreme damage. Comprehensive liability policies help to ensure that victims have a path to compensation. With that being said, the insurance companies that offer liability policies to large trucks are aggressive. They know that there is a lot on the line and they fight hard to pay out as little as they can. You need to be ready. Here are four tips that you can use to effectively deal with the trucking company’s insurance carrier after an accident:
- Know that they are Not on Your Side: To start, it is vital to recognize that the trucking company’s insurance provider is not your ally. Ultimately, the primary goal of the insurance company is to minimize their liability—and that means limiting the amount that they pay out. Given the adversarial nature of your relationship with the truck company and its insurer, be sure to approach every interaction with caution. No insurance company is on your side.
- Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement: One common tactic insurers use is to ask for a recorded statement early in the process. They may try to paint your statement as simply part of the “fact-finding” process. While this might seem harmless, it is actually a strategy designed to pin you down to a version of events before you fully understand the extent of your injuries or damages. It is very common for truck accident victims to say something that allows their words to get twisted or otherwise taken out of context.
- Be Wary of the Quick Settlement Offer: Insurers often try to resolve claims quickly with an initial settlement offer. Why? It is another strategy that they use to try to minimize the amount paid out to injured victims. Indeed, that early settlement offer from a truck company’s liability insurer is typically far less than what you might be entitled to. Accepting this offer can be tempting—especially when facing mounting medical bills and the stress of recovery. Still, you need to be patient. Do not settle your claim until you know the full value.
- Work Through a Top Stockton Truck Accident Lawyer: Taking on a truck company’s insurance provider is never easy. The right attorney can make the difference. A top-tier Stockton tractor trailer accident lawyer can handle all communications with the insurer, advocate for your rights and your interests, and build a strong case to help you secure justice and the absolute maximum financial compensation.
Truck Accident Victims Deserve the Maximum Financial Compensation
Hurt in a semi-truck accident in Stockton or elsewhere in the San Joaquin Valley? You need financial compensation to pay your bills and support your family. In California, injured victims have the right to seek compensation for their economic and intangible damages. Along with other types of losses, our firm helps truck accident victims seek compensatory damages for:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement;
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills and other health care costs;
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative support;
- Loss of wages and loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering & mental distress;
- Long-term physical disability; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Redkey Gordon is the Top Personal Injury Law Firm for Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accident claims are notoriously complex. Redkey Gordon Law Corp is a boutique law firm that is focused on serving the people who need help the most—victims and families. We are not on the side of the big trucking companies. After a bad accident in the San Joaquin Valley, our firm is prepared to help you take action to get justice and hold the insurance company accountable. With a proven record of successful case resultsin complex personal injury claims, our Stockton, CA tractor trailer accident lawyers are ready to get started working on your case today.
Contact Our Stockton Truck Accident Attorney Today for a Free Case Review
At Redkey Gordon Law Corp, our Stockton semi-truck accident lawyers have the legal expertise that you can rely on during tough times. If you were hurt in a bad crash, we are more than ready to help. If you have any questions about your rights, your options, or how to deal with insurers, please do not hesitate to contact us now for your no cost, no obligation case review. Our firm has an office in Stockton and we handle semi-truck accident cases throughout the San Joaquin Valley.