Semi Tractor Trailer Injuries and Public Liabilities
If you, or a friend or loved one is injured as a result of collision with a semi tractor-trailer, and the collision was not their fault, they are protected under the civil justice system. Why is this? The answer is as simple as what your mother taught you as a child. If you are negligent, and that negligence causes injury to a fellow Hoosier, then you are responsible for making up for the harm you cause. Generally, the way society has agreed to as a method of making up for the harm is to be financially responsible. We also agree that financial responsibility is met with insurance.
In passenger cars the minimum financial responsibility is met by purchasing Liability insurance limits of no less than $25,000.00. In Semi Tractor-trailer crashes the injuries and harms are likely to be much greater. This is simple physics, the heavier the vehicle involved in the crash, the more likely the damages are to be severe. That is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require greater financial responsibility. The applicable provision of the rules is:
The minimum levels of financial responsibility referred to in §387.7 of this subpart are hereby prescribed as follows:
| Schedule of Limits—Public Liability Type of carriage | Commodity transported | January 1, 1985 |
| (1) For-hire (In interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds) | Property (nonhazardous) | $750,000 |
| (2) For-hire and Private (In interstate, foreign, or intrastate commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds) | Hazardous substances, as defined in 49 CFR 171.8, transported in cargo tanks, portable tanks, or hopper-type vehicles with capacities in excess of 3,500 water gallons; or in bulk Division 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 materials. Division 2.3, Hazard Zone A, or Division 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A material; in bulk Division 2.1 or 2.2; or highway route controlled quantities of a Class 7 material, as defined in 49 CFR 173.403 | 5,000,000 |
| Code of Federal Regulations302 | ||
| (3) For-hire and Private (In interstate or foreign commerce, in any quantity; or in intrastate commerce, in bulk only; with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 or more pounds) | Oil listed in 49 CFR 172.101; hazardous waste, hazardous materials, and hazardous substances defined in 49 CFR 171.8 and listed in 49 CFR 172.101, but not mentioned in (2) above or (4) below | 1,000,000 |
| (4) For-hire and Private (In interstate or foreign commerce, with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,001 pounds) | Any quantity of Division 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 material; any quantity of a Division 2.3, Hazard Zone A, or Division 6.1, Packing Group I, Hazard Zone A material; or highway route controlled quantities of a Class 7 material as defined in 49 CFR 173.403 | |
At Young and Young we know the rules which govern safety for Semi tractor-trailer operation. Let us help you when you are injured in a semi tractor-trailer accident.