Unless you are familiar with Latin or English prefixes, “interstate” and “intrastate” may seem like the same word. However, while spelled similarly, they represent two very different concepts.
If you aren’t a truck driver, the difference between these concepts is unlikely to affect you. However, if you are involved in a commercial trucking accident, these differences could significantly impact the amount of compensation you receive for any injuries you sustain.
What is the Difference Between Interstate and Intrastate Trucking?
Interstate trucking involves driving a commercial vehicle from one state to another. Shipping routes can be as short as moving goods to the next state and as long as a trip from Oregon to Florida. Federal regulations apply to drivers engaged in interstate trucking, and they must have a commercial driver’s license that meets those regulations.
Conversely, intrastate trucking involves driving a commercial vehicle only within a single state. If a commercial vehicle exclusively stays within Illinois, the driver and the vehicle are not regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Instead, it is regulated solely by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s commercial truck guidelines.
Why Does This Difference Matter?
State guidelines can be more or less stringent than federal guidelines. Sometimes, some standards will be stricter, while others will be less restrictive. This is particularly meaningful for insurance standards. If you are involved in an accident with an interstate vehicle, the trucking company must have an insurance policy that meets the strictest standards.
The difference can be significant if you suffer catastrophic injuries in your accident. A larger policy is more likely to cover the full costs of your injuries. However, if your state requires a smaller policy limit, you might have difficulty getting the compensation you need after a collision with an intrastate truck.
What Types of Vehicles Perform Each Type of Trucking?
Interstate trucking vehicles are typically tractor-trailers or large box trucks, which carry large loads.
Intrastate trucking vehicles are usually smaller, potentially even van-sized. These trucks usually perform local deliveries. Local Amazon vehicles might be a good example of intrastate trucking.
However, the size of the vehicle is not always indicative. Moving trucks are a perfect example. Local movers are often just as likely to use an 18-wheeler as interstate movers. The only difference is what contracts the company accepts.
How to Tell Whether a Truck is Engaged in Interstate Trucking
Imagine that you are involved in a highway crash with a commercial vehicle. One piece of information you might need to proceed with your accident claim is whether the vehicle is engaged in interstate trucking. Where can you find this information?
The good news is that this information is relatively easy to determine. If the truck is involved in interstate deliveries, it will have a federal DOT number displayed on both doors of the cab. Typically, if there is only one number, it is a state DOT number; if there are two numbers, one is the state number and the other is the federal number.
You can then confirm that number with the appropriate state or federal agencies. Between that and the other identifying information of the vehicle, you should be able to quickly determine how the truck is registered.
Contact Our Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for a Free Consultation
If you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, the truck might be governed by state laws, federal laws, or both. Understanding how those laws affect you can mitigate some complications in filing an accident claim.
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
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