Types of Commercial Trucks | Truck Classification Systems

Commercial Truck List

Learn Whether a Commercial Motor Vehicle Caused Your Trucking Accident

Commercial motor vehicle crashes are more complex than the standard car accident case.

Along with catastrophic injuries, trucking accidents often involve:

• Several plaintiffs and defendants

• Layers of ownership

• Significant insurance coverage

• The potential for a product liability claim (for example, a part malfunction may cause a truck crash)

• Industry-specific safety rules (such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations)

Many people think that commercial vehicle cases only involve large trucks used by companies – for example, a big rig or an 18-wheeler.

But that is wrong.

Many trucks considered “personal vehicles” fit the legal definitions of “commercial motor vehicle.”

And this distinction matters when proving someone else’s negligence caused harm. Indeed, this classification determines whether special regulations govern the commercial truck driver and owner. Violation of these safety rules can help you win your case.

This article explains when your personal injury case involves a commercial motor vehicle.

You can use this information to determine possible remedies under tort law and workers compensation.

Read on to learn more about commercial truck types and federal classification systems.

Then call us at (804) 251-1620 or (757) 810-5614 if you have questions. Our trucking accident lawyers are ready to get justice for you.

What is the Definition of a Commercial Motor Vehicle?

A commercial vehicle carries goods or passengers for profits.

It is titled or registered to a company.

But the term “commercial motor vehicle” has a specific definition under the law.

The Federal Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle

Federal law defines a “commercial motor vehicle” as any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on a public highway in interstate commerce to move passengers or goods when the vehicle:

1. weighs 10,0001 pounds or more;

2. is designed or used to transport more than eight passengers (including the driver of the vehicle) for money;

3. is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver or

4 moves hazardous materials

Virginia’s Definition of Commercial Motor Vehicle

Virginia’s “commercial motor vehicle” definition is similar to the federal one. But there are differences.

Virginia Code Section 46.2-341.4 defines “commercial motor vehicle” as any motor vehicle, vehicle, or combination of vehicles used to transport passengers or property that either:

1. has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds;

2. has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds inclusive of a towed vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;

3. is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or

4. is of any size and is used to transport hazardous materials.

But there are exceptions to this definition.

For example, vehicles used only for the purposes below do not count as commercial motor vehicles:

• Personal purposes (such as recreational activities)

• Military purposes

• Emergency purposes (firefighting, rescue, etc.)

Commercial Truck Classifications

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) uses a classification system for vehicles.

This FHWA vehicle classification system divides cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles into 13 classes based on the number of axles, tires, and units.

In addition, the FHWA has a truck classification system that divides trucks into eight classes based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

Truck Axles and Trailer Units Matter

The FHWA uses these definitions and criteria for commercial trucks in the vehicle classification system:

• Two-Axle, Six-Tire, Single-Unit Trucks: This category includes all vehicles with a single frame, such as trucks (including truck tractor units without a trailer), camping and recreational vehicles, and motor homes with two axles and dual rear wheels.

• Three-Axle, Single-Unit Trucks: This category includes trucks, camping and recreational vehicles, and motor homes with three axles.

• Four or More Axles, Single-Unit Trucks: This category includes all trucks on a single frame with four or more axles.

• Four or Fewer Axles, Single-Trailer Trucks: This category includes all vehicles with four or fewer axles but two units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit. Whether the trailer is semi- or full does not matter.

• Five-Axle, Single Trailer Trucks: This category includes all five-axle vehicles with two units, including a tractor or straight truck power unit.

• Six or More Axle, Single-Trailer Trucks: This category includes vehicles with six or more axles and two units, including a tractor or straight truck power unit.

• Five or Fewer Axles, Multi-Trailer Trucks: This category includes vehicles with five or more axles and three or more units, including a tractor or straight truck power unit.

• Six-Axle, Multi-Trailer Trucks: This category includes vehicles with six axles and three or more units, including a tractor or straight truck power unit.

• Seven or More Axles, Multi-Trailer Trucks: This category includes vehicles with seven axles (or more) and three or more units, including a tractor or straight truck power unit.

Gross Weight Vehicle Rating Classifications for Trucks

Commercial trucks that meet the definition of “commercial motor vehicle” fall into one of these classes depending on weight:

• Class 3 (Medium Duty Truck): GVWR ranges from 10,001 to 14,000 pounds.

• Class 4 (Medium Duty Truck): GVWR ranges from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds.

• Class 5 (Medium Duty Truck): GVWR ranges from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds.

• Class 6 (Medium Duty Truck): GVWR ranges from 19,501 to 26,000 pounds.

• Class 7 (Heavy Duty Truck): GVWR ranges from 26,001 to 33,000 pounds.

• Class 8 (Heavy Duty Truck): GVWR from 33,001 to 80,000 pounds.

Examples of Commercial Trucks

Here is a list of commercial trucks our law firm has seen involved in trucking accidents:

• Ballast tractor: This vehicle has a specially weighted tractor unit to pull or push heavy trailer loads. Mack, White, Oshkosh Corporation, and Kenworth manufacture these specialty trucks.

• Box truck: Box trucks range from Class 3 to Class 7. Companies that transport furniture and home appliances and moving companies use box trucks.

• Bucket truck (a cherry picker or a basket crane): Bucket trucks have long arms with platforms an employee can stand on.

• Bus (passenger, city transit, school, tour)

• Car hauler

• Chassis cab: A chassis cab truck has the cabin of a standard pickup truck without a truck bed.

• Concrete transport truck (cement mixer)

• Container truck

• Day cab truck

• Delivery truck

• Dump truck

• Fire engine

• Flatbed truck

• Forklift

• Fuel truck

• Garbage truck (refuse truck)

• Glider kit truck

• Haul truck: These vehicles are off-highway dump trucks.

• Heavy construction equipment (backhoe loaders, bulldozers, excavators, motor graders, skid steer loaders, track loaders, trenchers, wheel loaders, etc.)

• Heavy hauler

• Hydrovac

• Limousine

• Logging truck (timber lorry)

• Mobile crane

• Motor Home

• Panel truck: This vehicle is a small delivery truck with an enclosed truck body.

• Pickup truck: Many pickup trucks qualify as commercial motor vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Ford F-350, Ford F-450, and Ram 3500.

• Recreational Vehicle (RV)

• Recycling truck

• Refrigerator truck (reefer)

• Semi-trailer truck

• Septic truck

• Sleeper truck

• Stake bed truck

• Tank truck: Tanker trucks carry hazardous and nonhazardous chemicals, gases, liquids, and dry bulk loads.

• Telehandler

• Tow truck

• Tractor

• Tractor-trailer

• Van (cutaway, camper, cargo, conversion, step, or passenger)

• Winch truck

• 18-wheeler

Get Help with Your Commercial Vehicle Crash Case

You have the right to recover personal injury damages when a commercial motor vehicle crashes into you and causes injuries.

Indeed, you may also recover workers compensation benefits if the motor vehicle accident happens while you are on the job or if you are a truck driver injured while driving (regardless of fault).

Call us at 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614 to schedule a free consultation with a top-rated attorney.

We will listen to your story and analyze your legal options.

Let’s start.