House Raises Federal Trucking Insurance Minimums For the First Time Since 1980, but the Bill Still Needs to Pass the Senate

by | Jan 19, 2022

On July 1, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a highway reauthorization bill that will increase minimum trucking insurance liability limits.   The House bill would raise the mandatory minimum liability to $2 million dollars.The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. The current law requires that trucking drivers carry only $750,000 per incident. This unrealistically low level of insurance has not been adjusted for inflation, even though the cost of medical services has increased significantly.  When the current minimum levels of insurance were set in 1980, the average cost of a car was just $7,500 and the average house just $47,000. 

Fifth wheel RV overturned on highway with wench truck trying to get it off the road and two semis parked nearby and traffic cones keeping traffic away

The insurance increase is in response to the number of large trucks on the road.  There were over four million truck accidents in 2018, resulting in almost 4000 fatalities.  The new bill will help protect drivers, passengers, and other motorists from the potential financial consequences of an accident with a tractor-trailer.  Currently, the $750,000 policy minimum applies to all people injured or killed in a trucking crash.  Trucks are so much larger than cars.  When a truck driver acts negligently, there is a potential that many people can be injured or even killed.    In some cases the $750,000 policy minimum is not even enough to cover the medical expenses of one catastrophically injured individual, let alone multiple people in a multi-vehicle or multi-passenger event.  

This change in minimum mandatory insurance limits for trucking companies and drivers is long overdue.  It is time that the Senate does what is right, and passes this law to protect the innocent victims of negligent truck drivers.  Please call your Senators and tell them to vote for this bill.  

If you are involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer, it is crucial to speak with an attorney who understands the complex legal landscape of truck accidents.

At The Law Offices Chaikin Sherman Cammarata & Siegel, our attorneys have years of experience representing victims of truck accidents.  Call us today at (202) 659-8600 to schedule your free consultation. We are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.

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