Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyers Handling Complex Commercial Vehicle Claims
A commercial vehicle is any motor vehicle used primarily for business purposes. Getting into an accident with a commercial vehicle can turn your life upside down. The physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial stress can be overwhelming. Unlike typical car crashes, commercial vehicle accidents often involve multiple parties, complex regulations, and high-value insurance policies.
At Hupy and Abraham, P.C., our Wisconsin truck accident lawyers understand what you're going through. For over 50 years, we've helped accident victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa navigate these challenging cases and secure the compensation they deserve.
What Are Commercial Vehicle Classifications?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) classifies commercial vehicles based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) - the maximum operating weight of a vehicle, including the vehicle itself, fuel, passengers, and cargo. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) identifies three categories of commercial trucks and vehicles based on GVWR:
- Heavy duty. The GVWR of these trucks is at least 26,001 pounds, and drivers are required by law to have a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate them. This category includes semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and large construction vehicles.
- Medium duty. These vehicles, with a GVWR between 14,001 and 26,000 pounds, include box trucks, delivery vans, and small dump trucks.
- Light duty. These vehicles have a GVWR of no more than 14,000 pounds and include cargo vans, pickup trucks used for business, and utility vehicles.
The FHWA also assigns a class to commercial vehicles based on weight. There are eight classes in total:
- Class 1: <6,000 lbs.
- Class 2: 6,001-10,000 lbs.
- Class 3: 10,001-14,000 lbs.
- Class 4: 14,001-16,000 lbs.
- Class 5: 16,001-19,500 lbs.
- Class 6: 19,501-26,000 lbs.
- Class 7: 26,001-33,000 lbs.
- Class 8: >33,001 lbs.
To put this into perspective, a Ford F-150, America's most popular pickup truck, is a Class 2 light-duty truck. A fully loaded, dual-hauling 18-wheeler, however, would be Class 8.
How Vehicle Classification Affects Your Accident Claim
The classification of the commercial vehicle involved in your accident directly impacts several aspects of your claim:
- Insurance requirements vary significantly based on vehicle class. Heavy-duty trucks must carry much higher liability coverage than light-duty vehicles. This makes sense, given how much cargo a semi-truck hauls and how much more damage a collision would cause. Even a low-speed collision with a 33,000 lbs. truck is likely to be catastrophic, if not deadly.
- Different regulations apply to each vehicle class. Heavy-duty truck drivers must follow federally mandated hours-of-service, inspection, and licensing rules, and must also remain at their approved class weight. Violations of these regulations can strengthen your claim.
- Multiple parties may share liability based on the vehicle's classification and use. This could include the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, or vehicle manufacturer.
- Documentation requirements also vary by vehicle class. Heavy-duty trucks must maintain detailed documentation about the following:
- Driver qualifications, including medical certifications, driving records, and drug test results;
- Maintenance logs and inspection reports; and
- Electronic data on driving hours, speed, and braking patterns.
Insurance Requirements for Commercial Vehicles
Commercial vehicle insurance requirements vary significantly based on vehicle type and intended use. These different coverage levels often determine an accident victim's potential compensation. Some states may have different requirements than others, so businesses and owner-operators should familiarize themselves with the levels required for their state.
Interstate trucking companies operating heavy-duty trucks must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. This minimum increases to $5 million for trucks hauling hazardous materials. These higher limits reflect the catastrophic damage possible in heavy truck accidents.
Medium-duty commercial vehicles typically require between $300,000 and $500,000 in liability coverage, depending on state regulations and cargo type. Some companies may carry additional coverage, but there is no guarantee.
Even light-duty commercial vehicles need more insurance than personal vehicles. Most states require at least $100,000 in liability coverage for commercial use, but some industries, like passenger transportation, have higher minimums.
Companies often carry additional types of coverage beyond basic liability:
- Cargo insurance protects against damage to transported goods. Required coverage varies by cargo value and type.
- Physical damage coverage helps repair or replace damaged commercial vehicles. This becomes especially important with expensive heavy trucks.
- Non-trucking liability covers accidents when trucks operate outside of their business purposes. This prevents coverage gaps between commercial and personal use.
- Umbrella policies may provide additional compensation in severe accident cases.
How Classification Affects the Truck Accident Investigation Timeline
The speed and scope of your accident investigation depend heavily on the vehicle's classification:
- Federal regulations require trucking companies to preserve certain records for only six months. This makes quick action essential in heavy truck cases.
- Companies operating medium and light-duty vehicles often follow different record retention policies. However, valuable evidence can still disappear quickly without proper legal intervention.
- Electronic data from heavy trucks can be overwritten or lost, which can cause a delay. Light commercial vehicles may not have comparable data systems.
Insurance companies typically respond more aggressively to accidents involving heavy trucks due to higher potential payouts.
Special Considerations for Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles, injuries tend to be more severe. This often means higher medical expenses and longer recovery times. Insurance companies aggressively defend commercial claims because of the high dollar amounts involved. They often deploy teams of investigators immediately after an accident.
Evidence can disappear quickly if not properly preserved. Trucking companies may destroy records after the federally mandated retention period expires. That’s why you should call a Wisconsin truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. The Hupy and Abraham, S.C. team moves fast to preserve all the relevant data and evidence that can bolster your claim. We also work to secure the maximum compensation possible for you by proving that the other driver was at fault. Let us take care of your case so you can focus on your healing and recovery.
