You’ve probably shared the road with “box trucks” here in Dallas without giving them much thought. Thousands are on the move day and night, transporting household items, business freight, and other cargo.
If you have thought about a box truck — aka, a box van, cube van, bob truck, or cube truck — you may have figured that at least these 10- to 26-foot commercial trucks have trained commercial drivers at the wheel. But you’d be mistaken. You do not need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive most box trucks because CDL requirements are based on weight, not length or a vehicle’s “commercial” use.
Most box trucks don’t weigh enough to qualify as commercial vehicles. Plus, many box trucks are rented with few questions or checks of qualifications.
So when a box truck gets into an accident and other people are injured, you can likely count on 1) a driver who wasn’t qualified to handle this vehicle and 2) a company pointing to some kind of document that they say makes the driver responsible and not them. If you’ve been injured, that’s when you need to speak to a Dallas truck accident lawyer from Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. We’ll put a stop to the finger-pointing and help you demand full compensation for your losses.
When a Truck Driver Needs a CDL
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a professional license that allows the holder to operate large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), such as tractor-trailers, tankers, large dump trucks, and buses, on public roads. Holding a CDL shows that they are trained, tested, and qualified to drive large CMVs safely.
The requirement for a CDL is based on the CMV’s weight or use:
- Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) – The vehicle weighs 26,001 pounds or more.
- Combination vehicle – The vehicle is a combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, and the trailer(s) weigh 10,001 pounds or more.
- Passenger vehicle – The vehicle is designed to carry 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
- Hazardous materials – The vehicle is carrying hazardous materials or requires hazardous material placards.
When Drivers Don’t Need a CDL
A CDL is not necessary to drive a vehicle that doesn’t meet the requirements above. There are also exemptions in the law, such as one allowing individuals to operate heavy machinery and farm equipment weighing 26,001 pounds or more without a CDL. Members of the armed services may operate the government’s heavy vehicles while on duty.
Some box trucks may not meet the requirements for a CDL. One box truck popular for sales and rentals, built on the 2023 Isuzu NPR-HD chassis, has a GVWR/GCWR of 14,500 to 20,500, depending on configuration. Another popular model, the Hino L Series L6, starts at 23,000 GVWR/GCWR.
To rent a box truck, an individual typically must be 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. A truck rental sales rep might ask a customer about their experience with larger vehicles. They might scrutinize someone a little closer if they seem to lack confidence or ability. But in most cases, a busy sales rep is there to get trucks and keys into the hands of happy customers. Unfortunately, this can lead to unqualified drivers operating dangerous vehicles on the road.
How Do Texas CDL Laws Affect a Truck Accident Claim?
Though smaller than commercial trucks, box trucks weigh quite a bit more than passenger vehicles. A box truck can cause serious injury and extensive damage in a collision.
Trucking companies must hire qualified drivers, and truck rental agencies have a legal obligation to be reasonably sure they are renting vehicles to individuals capable of operating them safely. Individuals who drive or rent box trucks have a responsibility to know what they are doing, as well. They should be required to have auto liability insurance or to buy a temporary policy for the rental period.
When trucking companies, rental agencies, or box truck drivers don’t have the proper qualifications, licensing, and insurance, they can be held responsible for the damage they cause. Not having a CDL license when required can be the proof you need to support your truck accident claim showing the driver was unqualified and negligent, resulting in the crash and your injuries.
How Can We Help After a Box Truck Accident?
As you try to file a claim after being injured in an accident caused by someone driving a box truck, the trucking company or rental agency may try to deny responsibility or even shift the blame to you. If Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. represents you, you won’t have to put up with it.
A truck accident attorney from our firm will identify all insurance available to you in a crash and investigate to determine the cause of the accident. It may have been the driver’s inexperience or negligence, but it’s the truck itself in some cases. Trucking companies must keep their vehicles in good shape, but they don’t always fulfill their responsibility. On the other hand, rental vehicles are heavily used, and they may not be maintained as well as they should on a busy lot. The vehicle’s owner can be held responsible if the trucking company or rental agency took shortcuts and the lack of maintenance contributed to a box truck crash.
Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. will gather the facts about your truck accident and hold all responsible parties and their insurers accountable. Our team can navigate the complexities of insurance policies held by a trucker and their employer or a rental agency and the rental customer. We will handle all communications with them to fight any attempts to deny fault. We’ll also calculate the total extent of your costs and losses and press for a settlement that provides full compensation to you.
While we can settle most claims through aggressive negotiations, if we must take your claim to court, we will do it with strong evidence and persuasive arguments for a verdict in your favor.
Need to Discuss a Box Truck Accident? Contact Our Law Firm Today
If you have been injured in an accident involving a box truck in Dallas, TX, obtaining the compensation you deserve won’t be simple. Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. has represented accident victims throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area for over 45 years. We know insurance company tactics for complicating claims and delaying payouts. One client we helped says, “I never worried about anything. I didn’t have to do any work. They handled my case with dignity and honesty.”
Let our experienced Dallas truck accident attorneys manage your truck accident claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. Start the process with a free, no-obligation legal consultation. Reach out online now or call (214) 999-9999.
