Box trucks can be seen throughout Florida. Many companies use box trucks to transport freight. Individuals often rent box trucks when they are moving. Whether you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive a box truck depends on several factors, including the truck’s weight and what the truck is hauling.
What Is a Box Truck?
Box trucks are also known as straight trucks or cube vans. They are built on a single frame extending from the cab to the truck’s rear. Box trucks usually have a rear roll-up door for loading and unloading cargo and may be equipped with lift gates.
A light-duty box truck is usually 10 to 16 feet long and weighs 6,001 pounds to 14,000 pounds. Medium box trucks weigh from 14,001 pounds to 26,000 pounds and are 16 to 26 feet long. Heavy-duty box trucks weigh 26,001 pounds or more and may exceed 26 feet in length.
Box trucks are used for many purposes, including moving and delivery. They may also be customized to serve as utility trucks and specialty service trucks.
When Do I Need a Commercial Driver’s License to Drive a Box Truck in Florida?
Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are defined as vehicles with gross weights of 26,001 pounds or more. Generally, you must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) if you operate a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight or gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. Therefore, heavy-duty box trucks would require a CDL to drive.
However, weight is not the only determining factor in whether you need a CDL to drive a box truck. If a vehicle transports hazardous materials that require a placard to be placed on the truck, the driver must have a CDL to operate the vehicle. CDLs are also required for vehicles that transport 15 or more people, including the driver.
Typically, box trucks are used to transport freight. They are not designed to transport people or hazardous materials. Therefore, the weight of the box truck will often determine whether a driver must have a commercial driver’s license to operate a box truck in Florida.
Who Is Responsible for Box Truck Accidents in Florida?
A party contributing to the cause of an accident can be financially liable for damages. One or more parties may be responsible for a box truck accident, including:
- The box truck driver
- A trucking company
- Shippers and loaders
- Other drivers
- Truck manufacturers
- Maintenance and repair facilities
- Government entities
To prove liability for a box truck accident, you must prove that the responsible party had a duty of care and they breached the duty of care. For example, all drivers have a duty to operate vehicles safely and follow traffic laws. Running a red light may be considered a breach of duty because they failed to take reasonable care while operating the vehicle.
You must also prove that the at-fault party’s conduct caused the accident. For example, the accident would not have occurred had the driver not run the red light. Lastly, you must prove that you incurred damages and sustained injuries because of the party’s breach of duty.
What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Box Truck Accident?
If you are in a box truck accident, call 911 to report the crash. Do not admit fault for the crash. Instead, stick to the facts without making assumptions about fault when you talk to the police officer. Seek prompt medical treatment for your injuries. Delays in medical care could cause problems in a personal injury case.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Box Truck Accident in Jacksonville, FL?
Florida personal injury laws provide for economic damages if you sustain serious injuries in a traffic accident. Economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Diminished earning capacity
You can also receive non-economic damages to compensate you for your more personal losses, such as:
- Dolor y sufrimiento
- Loss of quality of life and enjoyment of life
- Impairments
- Disfigurement
The amount of your total damages depends on your injuries, monetary losses, and other factors.
Get Legal Help With a Box Truck Accident in Florida
Truck accident claims are complicated personal injury cases. Trucking companies and their insurance providers aggressively fight these claims because damages tend to be extensive. The injuries caused by truck accidents can cause life-altering impairments that result in substantial current and future damages.
If you were injured in a box truck accident in Florida, contact our Jacksonville truck accident attorneys at The Truck Accident Law Firm. We’ll explain your legal options during your free consultation with a board-certified truck accident attorney.
English 
Spanish