Truck Accidents Defined

What is a Michigan “Truck Accident”?

The U.S. Department of Transportation categorizes trucks based on their Gross Vehicle Weight Ranking (GVWR) and then puts them into classes one through eight, with one having the lowest GVWR and eight having the highest.

To be defined as a truck accident, the accident must involve a truck that weighs more than 10,000 pounds.

Class 1 includes vehicles 6,000 lb. or less. Examples of vehicles in Class 1 may include:

• Minivans
• Cargo vans
• Pick-up trucks
• SUVs

Class 2 vehicles are 6,001-10,000 lb. Vehicles in this grouping could include:

• Minivans
• Cargo vans
• Full-size pick-ups
• Step vans

Class 3 vehicles weigh 10,001- 14,000 lb. The types of trucks in this category are:

• Walk-in trucks
• Box trucks
• City delivery trucks
• Heavy-duty pick-up trucks

Class 4 trucks are 14,001- 16,000 lb. Examples in this category typically include:

• Large walk-in trucks
• Box trucks
• City delivery trucks

Class 5 rigs are 16,001- 19,500 lb. These might be:

• Bucket trucks
• Large walk-in trucks
• City delivery trucks

Class 6 vehicles weigh between 19,501 and 26,000 lb. This class might include:

• Large beverage trucks
• Single-axle trucks
• School buses
• Rack trucks

Class 7 trucks are 26,001- 33,000 lb. Some kinds of vehicles in this class are:

• Garbage and recycling trucks
• City transit
• Truck tractors or semi-trailers

Class 8 vehicles are 33,000 lb. or more. Common truck examples in this group include:

• Cement trucks
• Gravel trucks
• Snow plows
• City transit vehicles
• Dump trucks
• Truck tractors or semi-trailers
• Rigs with sleeper cabs

Involved In A Michigan Truck Accident? We Can Help

If you have been affected by an accident involving a tractor-trailer, semi-truck, eighteen-wheeler, big rig or other truck in Michigan, Mike Morse Law Firm can help. Call 855-MIKE-WINS or e-mail mike@855mikewins.com today for your free truck accident consultation.