Accidents involving commercial vehicles are often some of the most serious accidents that occur on the highways and roadways of Pennsylvania. Be it a moving truck transporting your belongings from your old house to your new house or a school bus carrying your child to and from school, there is a great deal of our trust carried by those who drive commercial vehicles.
When a commercial vehicle is at fault in an accident involving you or a loved one, it is important to seek out a knowledgeable attorney to receive the compensation to cover all related expenses. You may also be compensated for any pain and suffering the accident may have caused. The expert Pennsylvania commercial vehicle accident lawyers at the Law Offices of www.needaninjuryattorneypennsylvania.com will fight for you to get the maximum compensation available to you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
You may be asking, “what exactly is a commercial vehicle?” Commercial vehicle can be used to describe a wide variety of vehicles. Some examples of commercial vehicles are tractor-trailers, high-occupancy vans, and buses. You may be surprised to learn that trains are considered commercial vehicles.
Accidents with commercial vehicles can occur when commercial vehicles are involved in a collision with another vehicle, or it may crash without the involvement of another vehicle and injure the driver and any of the passengers. In either case, if you are injured in a commercial vehicle accident you may be entitled to compensation.
A commercial vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle that transports passengers or property. Here are some qualification guidelines to further determine if a vehicle is commercial:
-Any vehicle that weighs in excess of 17,000 pounds
-Any vehicle that carries more than 8 passengers, driver included, for compensation
– Any vehicle that carries more than 15 passengers, driver included, without compensation
-School buses
-Any vehicle that transports hazardous materials
Those who operate commercial vehicles must have a commercial driver’s license or CDL. In order to receive a CDL:
- The driver must have reached the age of 21
- The driver’s vision must be 20/40 vision or they must wear corrective lenses
- The driver cannot be color blind
- The driver must be able to understand law enforcement and read road signs
- The driver must have 10/20 hearing in his or her best ear
- The driver is required to have a physical exam at least every two years
- The driver must be free of mental impairment that could interfere with operating the vehicle safely
If these requirements aren’t met, the driver and the owner of the vehicle may be fined. The chances of a commercial vehicle being involved in an accident are heightened when these rules are ignored or flouted.
The dedicated attorneys at the Law Offices of www.needaninjuryattorneypennsylvania.com can help you or someone close to you who has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident get compensation for medical bills, permanent disability, lost wages, pain, and suffering. Contact us for a free consultation.