Some crashes are worse than others. Collisions involving particularly large vehicles, like semi-trucks, could cause absolute vehicle destruction and severe injuries. Some people refer to semi-truck crashes as commercial vehicle collisions.
While 18-wheelers are one type of commercial vehicle, there are many others as well. Commercial vehicle crashes are different not just because of the extent of damage possible but also because of the insurance coverage available.
Typically, businesses are liable when commercial crashes occur. There may be larger insurance policies that apply. Injured parties can also theoretically take legal action against a company instead of a person. When can people assert that they have experienced a commercial vehicle collision in Iowa?
Iowa has a broad definition of commercial vehicles
As previously noted, many people and even government agencies refer to semi-trucks as commercial vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines a commercial vehicle as a vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds or that has the capacity to transport more than eight passengers for pay.
However, Iowa state statutes are different from the FMCSA definition. According to state law, any crash involving a vehicle performing business duties could constitute a commercial crash. Both vehicles that transport people for pay and those that transport goods can be commercial vehicles.
A fleet vehicle that belongs to a business could be a standard pickup truck or van with the company’s logo on the side. For the purposes of compensation after a crash, that still constitutes a commercial vehicle.
There is no minimum weight for commercial vehicles under state law, and they do not have to be specialized vehicles so long as they clearly serve a business function. Commercial vehicle collisions often lead to more complex insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits. Bigger insurance policies can inspire professionals to be more aggressive during negotiations.
Injured people in need of compensation after serious car crashes often need help determining the best options for covering their losses, and that’s okay. Those involved in commercial crashes may have the option of filing a claim against a business insurance policy or pursuing a lawsuit against the company. With the right support, holding the right party accountable and optimizing financial recovery becomes easier.