California commercial truck insurance requirements: what accident victims need to know

Commercial trucks play an essential role in California’s transportation network. When accidents occur, the amount of available insurance becomes one of the most important factors in determining financial recovery for accident victims. California commercial truck insurance requirements establish the baseline for compensation and help guide whether additional legal options may be necessary. Understanding these rules can assist affected drivers and their families in evaluating liability, fault, and long-term damages when filing a truck accident lawsuit after a serious collision.

Why commercial truck insurance limits matter for your injury claim

Insurance limits directly affect the compensation available in a truck accident liability lawsuit. Large commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and collisions often lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and fatalities. Victims of a collision injured in a collision frequently face long hospital stays, extensive rehabilitation, and permanent disabilities. These losses create a significant need for compensation related to medical treatment, lost wages, future earning capacity, and other legally recognized damages.

California’s commercial vehicle insurance regulations are designed to ensure trucking companies can cover the harm caused by their operations. Minimum coverage does not always match the true cost of care for individuals harmed in a crash. When insurance falls short, trucking company negligence claims or regulatory violations may provide additional paths to recovery. Kermani LLP evaluates each case by reviewing FMCSA safety regulations, carrier compliance, and the circumstances leading to the crash.

California commercial truck insurance minimum requirements

Commercial truck insurance minimum requirements in California are based on vehicle size and cargo type. The list below provides the required minimum liability levels.

• General freight trucks (10,001 lbs or more): Minimum coverage of 750,000 CSL
• Oil transportation vehicles: Minimum coverage of 1,000,000 CSL
• Hazardous materials carriers: Minimum coverage of 5,000,000 CSL
• Passenger carriers transporting 16 or more passengers: Minimum coverage of 5,000,000 CSL
• Passenger carriers transporting 1 to 15 passengers: Minimum coverage of 1,500,000 CSL

Combined Single Limit (CSL) applies to both bodily injury and property damage. These limits represent the lowest allowable coverage under California law. Many carriers hold higher limits, especially those operating commercial vehicle insurance in California through interstate routes.

The difference between intrastate (DMV) and interstate (FMCSA) coverage

Intrastate carriers operate only within California. They must comply with the DMV's Motor Carrier Permit (MCP) California requirements, which include proof of financial responsibility. Insurance minimums correspond to vehicle weight and cargo classification.

Interstate carriers travel across state lines and are governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. FMCSA minimums are similar to California standards, but vary depending on hazardous materials classifications and commercial auto bodily injury coverage requirements. Common federal minimums include:

• 750,000 for general freight
• 1,000,000 for oil transport
• 5,000,000 for hazardous materials

Interstate trucking insurance rules also require carriers to maintain a valid BMC-91X filing, which verifies that insurance meets federal standards. Because many companies operate both inside and outside California, reviewing compliance with FMCSA safety regulations is essential for determining liability.

What if the trucking company’s insurance is not enough?

Truck accidents often result in damages that exceed the minimum insurance limits. When this occurs, several additional sources of compensation may be available.

• Excess or umbrella policies that extend truck accident liability limits above the primary policy
• Broker or shipper liability when an unsafe carrier was hired or improperly supervised
• Employer liability if the driver was acting within the scope of employment
• Negligence claims for regulatory violations such as improper maintenance or Hours-of-Service violations

Kermani LLP examines all available insurance policies, maintenance logs, carrier records, and FMCSA data to identify additional coverage sources that may affect the value of the claim for affected parties.

Can you sue if the truck driver was non-compliant or uninsured?

Yes. When a commercial truck operates without required insurance, the driver and carrier may face civil penalties and increased liability exposure. Uninsured commercial vehicle accidents do not eliminate the ability of individuals harmed in a crash to pursue compensation. Instead, the focus shifts to the trucking company’s assets, parent company involvement, or additional responsible parties.

If the driver was noncompliant because of expired insurance, lapsed filings, or FMCSA violations, these issues can support a negligence claim. People injured in a collision may also pursue a lawsuit after filing truck accident claims in CA. Courts can hold carriers accountable even when required insurance was not in place.

When independent contractors are involved, courts examine the level of control exercised by the trucking company. If the contractor operated under the company's MCP number or federal authority, liability may still extend to the carrier. People needing more information often consult qualified personal injury attorneys in California.

FAQs

Does the type of cargo affect my settlement amount?

Cargo type can influence the insurance limits available, which may affect total compensation for affected drivers. Hazardous materials transportation insurance generally requires higher liability coverage, which increases available insurance. The cargo itself does not determine the value of a settlement. Instead, insurance rules tied to that cargo impact recovery options.

What happens if the truck driver was an independent contractor?

Independent contractor status does not automatically prevent liability for the trucking company. Courts evaluate dispatch procedures, operational control, and whether the contractor used the company's Motor Carrier Permit or federal authority. If so, the company can still be responsible. People injured in a collision often contact trucking accident lawyers in California for guidance.