Box trucks are often described as enclosed trucks or vans. They may also be referred to as cargo vans or utility trucks. Box trucks are constructed on a single frame and classified by weight and length. Whether you need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive a box truck in Florida depends on its weight and what you are hauling.
When Do I Need a Commercial Driver’s License to Drive a Box Truck?
Box trucks are typically divided into three classes by their weight:
- Light-duty box trucks weigh 6,001 to 14,000 pounds and are 10 to 16 feet long
- Medium box trucks weigh 14,001 to 26,000 pounds and are 16 to 26 feet long
- Heavy-duty box trucks weigh more than 26,001 and are longer than 26 feet in length
Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) weigh 26,001 pounds or more. Typically, you do not need a CDL to operate vehicles that weigh less than 26,001 pounds. Therefore, a person should be able to drive a light-duty or medium box truck. However, if they want to drive a heavy-duty box truck, they would need to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
There are some exceptions. For example, a driver needs an endorsement to their CDL to transport hazardous materials or 15 or more people. Since box trucks are not designed to transport hazardous materials or people, this issue usually does not arise. However, people should be aware of what they use the box truck to transport to ensure they do not violate state law.
What Should I Do After a Box Truck Accident in Florida?
If you are involved in a box truck accident, call 911 to report the crash to the police. Request law enforcement and emergency medical services. Documenting the accident scene with photographs and videos is crucial, if possible. You should also ask eyewitnesses for their contact information.
Even though Florida is a no-fault insurance state for car accidents, you can pursue an at-fault driver if you sustain serious injuries. Therefore, if the box truck driver caused the accident, you can file a claim against the driver. However, the driver may not be the only one liable for a box truck accident.
Potential parties liable for damages caused by a box truck accident include:
- The box truck driver
- A trucking company
- Truck manufacturers
- Loaders and shippers
- Government entities
- Repair and maintenance facilities
- Other motorists
A skilled 18-wheeler accident attorney thoroughly investigates the cause of the accident. They determine how the accident occurred and identify all liable parties. Proving liability allows you to seek compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Identifying all responsible parties increases the potential sources of compensation for damages.
What Damages Are Available for Florida Box Truck Accidents?
Victims of box truck accidents may sustain severe injuries. Some victims may sustain permanent impairments because of their accidents. Damages may include significant financial losses, pain, and suffering.
Examples of economic and non-economic damages a person might receive for a box truck accident claim may include:
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including household services and personal care
- The cost of past and future medical treatment, including physical therapy and other rehabilitative treatment
- Impairments, disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of income, including diminished earning capacity, future lost wages, and lost benefits
- Pain and suffering
The factors of your case determine how much your claim is worth. The value of damages is impacted by numerous factors, including the severity of your injuries and the parties involved in the case.
Your fault for causing the accident could be a factor. Florida’s modified contributory fault law can reduce or bar damages in an accident case.
How Long Do I Have To File a Box Truck Accident Claim in Florida?
All states set statutes of limitations to restrict the time accident victims have to file lawsuits. The time varies by state. Florida’s statute of limitations for most motor vehicle accidents is two years from the accident date.
Exceptions to the rule could lengthen or shorten your time to file a lawsuit. It is crucial to seek prompt legal advice as soon as possible. You lose the right to pursue a claim if you miss the deadline.
Get Help With a Box Truck Accident in Florida
Box truck accidents can cause severe injuries. Call a trusted personal injury law firm for a free consultation with a Florida box truck accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you seek compensation for the damages caused by negligent truck drivers, owners, and operators.
If you’ve been injured in a truck collision in Florida and need legal help, contact a Florida box truck attorney at Shaked Law Firm, P.A.
Shaked Law Firm, P.A.
20900 NE 30th Ave STE 705
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191
*Relocated across the street from Aventura Hospital.
Available 24/7
Sagi Shaked is the founding attorney of Shaked Law Firm, P.A., a Florida-based practice focused on serious truck accident cases. As a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, Sagi is nationally recognized for his legal advocacy, having recovered multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for injured victims and their families. He is known for his relentless pursuit of justice on behalf of those harmed by negligence. Click here to view some of the notable case results Sagi has achieved for his clients.
Location: Aventura, Florida, serving statewide.
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