How Much Insurance are New Mexico Truck Drivers Required to Carry?
At the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, P.A., our New Mexico truck accident attorneys are dedicated to providing our clients with the experienced legal representation they need to hold all liable parties accountable for their injuries.
When they have been hurt in a New Mexico truck accident, those parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, or another third-party like the truck’s manufacturer, maintenance company, or contracted employees who are charged with properly loading the semi-trucks for safe travel.
When one or more of these parties are deemed liable for our clients’ injuries, we will explore their insurance coverage for the financial compensation that covers our clients’ complete needs, including medical care, lost wages, and any temporary or permanent disabilities that were caused by the collision.
What are the New Mexico Semi-Truck Insurance Requirements?
Our New Mexico law requires local commercial drivers to maintain a certain amount of liability insurance, which is determined by the type of freight that is being transported, and where it is transported to.
The liability insurance requirements for truck drivers in New Mexico include:
- $300,000 for trucks transporting household goods
- $750,000 for trucks transporting general freight
- $1,000,000 for trucks transporting oil
- $5,000,000 for trucks transporting hazardous materials
For trucks carrying household goods inside the state, they must also carry $50,000/vehicle and $50,000/catastrophe cargo insurance.
FMCSA federal liability limits require truck drivers who operate across state lines to meet all their additional coverage guidelines, which is usually between $750,000 and $1,000,000.
Do Trucking Companies Carry Only the Minimum Amount of Insurance on Their Fleets?
Each trucking company operates differently, and insures their trucks, drivers, and cargo as they see fit based on the number of trucks they own or the number of drivers they employ, which may be at the minimum required by law, or with other protection to safeguard their businesses, should an accident occur.
Additional types of truck driver or trucking company insurance may include:
- Personal Injury Protection to help pay for injury-related costs for anyone involved in the truck accident, which may cover medical bills, loss of income, and household services.
- Property Damage Liability covers damages the truck driver causes to other vehicles during the collision, including repairs or replacement costs.
If you have been hurt in a truck accident in New Mexico, contact our New Mexico truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, P.A. by calling (575) 222-0472 to schedule a free consultation today to learn what types of coverage the driver who caused your injuries was carrying, and how we can help you pursue the policy for the best financial outcome available for your unique case.
