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Auto insurance policies typically have two separate coverage buckets: one for injuries and one for property damage. This is known as a split limit policy. For example, South Carolina law requires each driver to have a minimum insurance coverage of 25/50/25. This means that each SC driver is required to have, at a minimum, $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident (applies when there are multiple people injured) and $25,000 in property damage coverage per accident.
On the other hand, a combined single limit policy (CSL), often used by trucking companies, is different in that it is one amount of coverage available for both bodily injury and/or property damage. The amount available does not change depending on how many people were involved. Instead, it’s a total amount available for all claims related to a single accident.
South Carolina Commercial Trucking Insurance Requirements
According to South Carolina law, if you’re operating a freight vehicle weighing 10,000 lbs or more, the minimum insurance requirements are typically:
- $750,000 if transporting non-hazardous materials
- $5,000,000 if transporting hazardous materials
If the vehicle weighs less than 10,000 lbs, the insurance requirements are:
- $300,000 if transporting non-hazardous material
- $5,000,000 if transporting hazardous material
Compensation After a South Carolina Truck Accident
With decades of combined experience handling truck accidents cases in Columbia, Charleston, and throughout South Carolina, these cases tend to be very complex. Oftentimes, truck accidents cause serious injuries, expensive bills, severe property damage, and involve multiple parties.
A reputable truck accident attorney will optimize your claim and fight for fair compensation for all past, present, and future damages related to the accident. This includes but is not limited to:
- Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, transportation to the hospital, testing and imaging, rehabilitation programs, surgeries, prescription costs, future care needs, and all other related medical care costs.
- Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work
- Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work in the same capacity
- Property Damage: Vehicle damage, damage to personal property such as bikes, cellphones, jewelry, and more.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional trauma, PTSD, and more.
- Wrongful Death: If the accident resulted in loss of life, surviving family members may seek compensation for emotional tolls, loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and more.
- Punitive Damages: Some cases may qualify for punitive damages, designed to discipline the at-fault party for reckless or illegal behaviors.
What If My Damages Exceed the CSL Policy Coverage?
In truck accident cases, it is not uncommon for a victim’s damages to exceed the CSL policy limits, especially if the accident resulted in catastrophic injury or loss of life. An experienced truck accident attorney will work to identify all forms of coverage available to you, such as:
- Excess Liability Coverage
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage
- Trucking Company Assets
- Medical Payments
- Personal Injury Protection
- And More
If you have any questions on securing compensation after a commercial motor vehicle accident, reach out to our reputable SC truck accident attorneys today at (803) 888-2200.
Talk to An Experienced South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney Today
For a free case evaluation directly with an award-winning truck accident attorney, simply call our office today at (803) 888-2200, email info@ctlawsc.com, or submit our secure online form. With decades of combined experience and millions recovered for truck accident victims throughout the state, you can trust that you will be in good hands. We’re here and ready to help.
With offices in Columbia and Charleston, our lawyers travel to and represent clients throughout the state of South Carolina.
Disclaimer: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
Author – J. Eric Cavanaugh
I’m Eric Cavanaugh, and I am a partner and personal injury attorney here at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC. My practice primarily focuses on trucking and car accidents, representing victims and their loved ones across the State of South Carolina.
I care deeply about people and making sure every one of our clients gets the care and compensation they deserve physically, financially, and emotionally.
Seeing the impact that serious accidents have on people never gets easier, but I feel a great sense of pride in being able to get people the justice they deserve and providing hope in what’s often a very difficult time in their lives.
I’m committed to ensuring that people know their rights and that those rights are protected at all times throughout their case and beyond; and I’m passionate about fighting to make South Carolina roads safer for residents and visitors.
If you have any questions about what was covered in this article, in general, or are interested in becoming a client at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC, give us a call.
