What Makes Truck Cases Different
- Federal regulation. FMCSA hours-of-service, vehicle maintenance, and licensing rules create multiple liability theories.
- Multiple defendants. Driver, motor carrier, broker, shipper, maintenance contractor — each may bear responsibility.
- Large insurance policies. Federal minimums for interstate carriers are $750,000–$5M+ depending on cargo.
- Spoliation risk. Electronic logs, dashcam, and telematics data can disappear if a preservation letter isn't sent early.
Strong Funding Cases
- Documented hours-of-service violations.
- Black-box data showing speed or hard-braking events.
- Driver impairment or drug/alcohol violations.
- Improperly secured cargo or overweight loads.
- Documented maintenance failures.
Funding Amounts
Because truck cases involve large policies, funding amounts can be substantial — often well into six figures for catastrophic-injury cases. The 10–20% rule still applies, but on a larger valuation base.
Realistic Timeline
Most commercial trucking cases settle within 18–36 months; serious-injury cases routinely take 2–3 years. Plan funding accordingly. See our personal injury timeline guide.
Sources & Further Reading
For broader context, see Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — large truck and bus crash facts. This article is general educational information and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multi-vehicle commercial cases are funded, though underwriting is more involved as liability is apportioned.
Sometimes — depends on coverage. Some owner-operators carry minimal policies, which can affect case value.