The definition of a commercial vehicle can be quite broad. For many consumers, the most common picture that comes to mind is an 18-wheeler that weighs tens of thousands of pounds and causes catastrophic damage when it is involved in a commercial truck accident with one or more additional vehicles. Yet a commercial vehicle can mean many things beyond the typical “big rigs.” A commercial vehicle accident can involve big or small cargo vans or buses. Even small sedans in some instances can be considered commercial vehicles.
What is a commercial vehicle?
A commercial vehicle is owned and insured by companies rather than individuals. As a result, they fall under a different set of standards while on the road. The knowledge that a recent auto or truck accident was caused by the driver of a commercial vehicle is especially useful for a consumer and their commercial vehicle accident lawyer. That’s because there are different steps an experienced auto or truck accident attorney from Kajy Law can take in the immediate aftermath of the crash to improve your chances for financial compensation. Perhaps the most comprehensive meaning of a “commercial vehicle” comes from the Federal Motor Carrier Regulation, which defines it as vehicles that are:- Driven or towed (such as a trailer)
- Transporting goods or services, and/or meets other criteria such as weighing more than 10,000 pounds
- Carrying 15 or more people for any reason (such as church outings)
- Transporting nine or more people for any commercial purposes (such as shuttle vans)
- Carrying hazardous materials or commercial products of any kind (from propane tanks to canned foods)
- Self-propelled or towed with a motor and used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property
Commercial vehicle examples
Today’s commercial vehicles can include but are not limited to:- Uber, Lyft, and other ride sharing vehicles
- Taxis or limousines
- School buses and tour buses
- Tractor trailers hauling heavy equipment (i.e., construction cranes)
- Delivery vans to residential homes for business purposes (i.e., online orders through companies like Amazon, florists, dog groomers, etc.)
- Tanker trucks
Why the Definition of a Commercial Vehicle Can Impact Your Injury Claim
When a commercial vehicle accident in Michigan occurs, law enforcement officials will take different steps in handling the investigation. If the driver of a commercial vehicle is determined to be at fault, you as the injured party may have different rights than if the at-fault driver was operating a passenger vehicle. If there is significant property damage to your vehicle, or major healthcare bills associated with one or more injuries, Lawrence Kajy and the top truck accident lawyers at Kajy Law will be able to navigate through the facts to help you get the best claim possible. While every case is different, if a commercial vehicle hits your car, any of the following may be possible:- The potential for compensation may be higher.
- The case or a settlement may take longer to finalize.
- The amount of evidence will be even more closely scrutinized by police officers and attorneys.