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When two or more passenger vehicles are involved in a crash in Ohio, the aftermath of the crash is usually handled by local police or the Ohio State Highway Patrol. In other words, the investigation and reporting of the crash are handled “in-house” by the city, county, or state.
But when a semi-truck transporting cargo across state lines is involved in a crash in Ohio, there’s a chance it will be reported to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The FMCSA is an agency in the U.S. Department of Transportation that oversees the commercial trucking industry in America.
Not all semi-truck crashes are reported to the FMCSA. Here’s a list of criteria for truck accidents that are reported to and potentially handled by the FMCSA.
Trucks that weigh at least 10,001 pounds are classified as Class 3 vehicles and up. They include walk-in delivery trucks, box trucks, local delivery trucks, and some heavy-duty pickup trucks. Class 1 vehicles include minivans, small cargo vans, SUVs, and light pickup trucks, while Class 2 vehicles include full-size pickups and large cargo vans.
When trucks are cleared to carry hazardous materials, posted placards must indicate that they’re approved to carry those materials. Types of hazardous materials that are hauled by trucks include:
Sometimes, trucks and large vehicles are involved in accidents that meet the requirements to be reported to the FMCSA, but exceptions exist that don’t require the accidents to be reported. These typically involve non-commercial operations of Class 3 (10,001+ pounds) vehicles and can include:
The FMCSA obtains information about crashes that fit the criteria listed above either through local and state law enforcement accident reports or through Accident Registers, which must be kept up to date by all registered motor carriers in the U.S.
Accident registers include the following information:
When you’re hurt in a crash that wasn’t your fault, all you want is to get full compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. But the type of accident you were involved in and the type of vehicle that crashed into you are important distinctions that can make a big difference in the amount of money you’re eligible to receive.
Crashes that need to be reported to the FMCSA often involve more potentially liable parties and bigger payouts for victims. Instead of just filing claims against the negligent driver, you may be eligible to hold the trucking company and truck owner liable for your damages, too.
Getting compensation from three or more negligent parties can result in a much larger settlement for you and your loved ones, but winning on multiple fronts requires experienced legal representation.
When accidents are reported to the FMCSA, the stakes and complexity of victims’ compensation claims increases. But at Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy, we don’t back down from highly complex and difficult cases—especially when significant compensation for our clients is on the line.
If you were hurt in an accident involving a big truck or a truck carrying hazardous materials, we want to help you get the money you deserve. Contact our Ohio truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation.
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