Trucking Company Insurance Policy Limits in Georgia: What Injured Families Should Know

A trucking company’s insurance policy limit is the most its liability policy will pay for covered injuries and damages from one crash. In Georgia, trucking company insurance policy limits depend on the type of carrier, the cargo, and the route. This guide explains those numbers in plain terms, what they can pay for, and how fault can change what is reachable.

What a trucking insurance policy limit is

A policy limit is the ceiling on what an insurer pays under that policy. Liability coverage pays injured people who are owed money because of the truck owner’s or driver’s legal responsibility for the crash.

Some policies show three separate numbers:

• Bodily injury per person: the most paid for one injured person.
• Bodily injury per accident: the most paid for all injured people from one crash.
• Property damage: the most paid for damage to vehicles and other property.

A limit is not the value of a claim. It only caps what that policy pays. This guide is for injured people, families after a fatal crash, and anyone trying to understand the insurance behind a truck.

How insurance limits apply to trucks

Federal rules can require more for many trucks. Under 49 CFR 387.9, the minimum for for-hire interstate carriage of nonhazardous property in a vehicle rated 10,001 pounds or more is $750,000. Certain oil and hazardous materials carry higher minimums, up to $5,000,000 for some bulk hazardous substances.

Under 49 CFR 387.7, a motor carrier may not operate a motor vehicle until it has the required minimum insurance in effect. Under 49 C.F.R. § 387.7, proof of the required financial responsibility shall be maintained at the motor carrier’s principal place of business.

The right figure depends on the carrier’s operations, cargo, and routes.

What liability coverage can pay for in a truck crash

Liability coverage can pay for the damages a responsible party owes. Georgia law describes damages as compensation for injury. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-4, generally such compensation is the measure of damages where an injury is of a character capable of being estimated in money. If an injury is small or the mitigating circumstances are strong, only nominal damages are given.

In a truck crash, claims often include:

• Medical care: emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and future care.
• Lost income: missed work and reduced ability to earn.
• Other losses: pain, suffering, and effects on daily life.
• Property damage: vehicles and personal belongings.

Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-4, damages are given as compensation for injury, and generally such compensation is the measure of damages where the injury is capable of being estimated in money. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-5, when there is no person entitled to bring an action for the wrongful death of a decedent under Code Section 51-4-2 or 51-4-4, the administrator or executor of the decedent may bring an action for the benefit of the next of kin, and the amount of the recovery shall be the full value of the life of the decedent; when death of a human being results from a crime or from criminal or other negligence, the personal representative of the deceased person shall be entitled to recover for the funeral, medical, and other necessary expenses resulting from the injury and death of the deceased person.

Remember that the limit caps the policy. A claim can be worth more than the coverage available.

Where extra coverage can come from

Extra coverage can come from umbrella or excess policies. These sit above the primary auto liability limit and pay after that limit is used up. Not every carrier has them.

More than one party may be insured. The motor carrier, the driver, and the vehicle owner or lessor can each carry coverage.

Separate trucks, terminals, or operations may have separate policies. Whether defense costs reduce the available limit depends on the policy wording, so the actual policy language matters.

If the at-fault driver has no insurance, whether your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage applies depends on the terms of your policy.

How fault and comparative negligence change what is reachable

Georgia reduces damages by the injured person’s share of fault. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, the judge reduces the award in proportion to the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. A plaintiff who is 50 percent or more responsible for the injury or damages may not receive any damages.

Fault can also be split among several people. Under the same statute, each liable person pays only its own share. The damages are not joint liability among them. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33(d)(1), a nonparty’s fault is considered if the plaintiff settled with that nonparty or if a defendant gives notice, no later than 120 days before trial, that the nonparty was wholly or partially at fault.

That argument can shift how much of the loss a given policy must cover, so it deserves a close look early.

How a truck claim moves when policy limits are in question

A claim usually starts with medical care and evidence. Then it moves to the insurer and, if needed, a lawsuit.

1. Get medical care. Follow the treatment plan and keep every record.
2. Preserve evidence. Logs, dash-camera footage, maintenance records, and photos can matter.
3. Notify the right parties and track every insurer contact.
4. Make a demand. An early offer can come before the full extent of injuries is known.
5. Request policy information. Proof of required coverage is public information that must be produced for review upon reasonable request by a member of the public under 49 CFR 387.7.
6. File suit if needed. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, actions for injuries to the person generally must be brought within two years after the right of action accrues, except for actions involving loss of consortium, which must be brought within four years after the right of action accrues.

Fatigue and overloading evidence can also matter when limits are a concern. Our team reviews these facts with the medical and liability details of each case.

Why T. Madden & Associates, P.C. handles these claims

T. Madden & Associates, P.C. is a Georgia personal injury firm in practice since 1999. Terance Madden leads the firm. It has offices in Jonesboro, Atlanta, Decatur, Macon, and Augusta.

The firm represents people hurt in car and truck wrecks, motorcycle and e-bike crashes, slip and falls, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, negligent security, and wrongful death.

The firm works on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis, but you may still be responsible for court costs and case expenses.

Reach the firm at one of its offices in Jonesboro, Atlanta, Decatur, Macon or Augusta, or through its contact page.

Common questions about truck insurance limits in Georgia