We rely on our insurance company when our vehicle breaks down or needs repairs and even when we have been involved in an accident. In most cases, when a driver is the victim in an accident and is not responsible for causing it, they can pursue the at-fault party’s insurance for compensation to cover the damage and/or injuries caused, as stated by South Carolina’s Department of Insurance. Under South Carolina law, a driver must carry $25,000 of minimum liability coverage at all times to be in compliance with the law. But what happens when you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck such as a semi or big rig? Are the circumstances the same?
Like motorists of passenger vehicles and small trucks, owners of commercial vehicles must carry a minimum amount of liability coverage to ensure public safety. According to Commercial Truck Insurance HQ, South Carolina law stipulates that most truckers must maintain a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance. Of course, these limits vary based on the type of freight that is being hauled and where it is being transported to. Below are a few of the minimum liability requirements based on the type of freight:
- Non-hazardous freight moved in vehicles under 10,001 lbs.- Minimum liability insurance must be at least $300,000.
- Non-hazardous freight in vehicles over 10,001 lbs.- $750,000.
- Oil moved by For-Hire & Private Carriers-$1,000,000.
- Other Hazardous Material moved by Fort-Hire & Private Carriers- $5,000,000.
Practically, most commercial motor vehicles have $1 Million in liability coverage. There two main components to a commercial truck driver’s liability insurance policy. The first is third-party liability insurance and it protects the trucking company for claims of third parties for injuries caused by the trucking company driver. The second portion of the minimum coverage is physical property damage and it pays for repairs that are made to other people’s property damaged in an accident. The policy may also contain coverage that applies to injuries the truck driver sustains.
In the event trucks are being driven through multiple states, this is deemed to be interstate commerce and the federal government requires minimum liability limits of $750,000. Because truck accidents involving commercial motor vehicles such as semis and tractor trailers can be rather serious and cause a significant amount of damage, it is important the owners of the vehicles are complying with state and federal requirements to ensure they are properly protected in the event of an accident.
If you have been involved in a collision in South Carolina and are wanting to find out how much your accident entitles you to collect, there is no better truck accident lawyer Greenville to call than attorney Paul Hammack at Hammack Law Firm.
Our Client Bill of Rights offers a 30-day unconditional satisfaction guarantee —no costs and no fees. We serve our Greenville clients in all areas of personal injury, including auto and motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, and boating accidents.
To get started with our Greenville personal injury law firm, please simply contact us online or call (864) 766-7108 for a free consultation.
With over 25 years of legal experience, Paul Hammack provides his clients with a level of trial expertise and strategic insight rarely found in personal injury litigation. Having spent the first eight years of his career working within major insurance defense firms across Georgia and South Carolina, Paul gained an intimate understanding of the “other side’s” playbook. This insurance industry background serves as a unique differentiator for his clients; he knows exactly how insurance carriers evaluate risk and what motivates them to pay top dollar for a claim.
In 2008, Paul founded Hammack Law Firm to move away from the “plaintiff mill” model and focus on building personal relationships with those he represents. As a seasoned litigator, he has tried dozens of first-chair cases to verdict, specializing in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries and complex truck accidents. His dual-state practice allows him to provide aggressive representation across both South Carolina and Georgia, ensuring victims of negligence receive the maximum financial compensation possible regardless of which side of the state line the accident occurred.
Paul’s commitment to excellence is reflected in his record of significant achievements, including a $10 million tractor-trailer wrongful death settlement and a $3.9 million moped-versus-truck recovery. His credentials and bar admissions in both South Carolina and Georgia underscore his deep roots in the regional legal community. Beyond the courtroom, Paul is a dedicated advocate for his local community, contributing his time and resources to organizations such as the United Way, Red Cross, and Hands On Greenville, all while working to make South Carolina a safer place for everyone.
