Oversized Truck Accidents
Federal trucking regulations limit the size and weight of a truck. A large truck can weigh no more than 80,000 pounds and must be no more than 102 inches wide and 13.6 to 14.6 feet tall. Truck length limits will vary depending on the state. Although these limits are in place, there are circumstances where a truck may seek an oversized permit to exceed these limits. The regulations for oversized trucks, including their weight and size limits and their routes and times of allowed operation, will vary from state to state.
Oversized trucks may present a serious hazard to motorists for various reasons. Violations of oversize limits and improperly loaded oversized vehicles are the key problems to consider. If you have been injured in an accident with an oversized truck, you need a competent attorney who can fight for fair compensation on your behalf. The trucking company may try to deny liability, even saying that the accident was your fault.
A truck accident lawyer with the experience and resources to properly handle your claim can present a compelling case that enables you to seek maximum financial compensation. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, we are highly experienced in handling truck accident claims involving oversized vehicles. Our understanding of federal and state trucking regulations enables us to accurately determine whether a violation has occurred or whether another issue was the cause of the accident.
How an Oversized Truck Can Cause an Accident
The same factors that may cause a truck accident may also affect an oversized truck. This includes truck driver fatigue, drug and
alcohol abuse,
truck driver negligence,
employer negligence and
defective equipment. However, all of these factors are more likely to have an impact on the driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle. Any large truck can be difficult to maneuver, requiring special training and a driver's complete attention on the task at hand. With an oversized truck, maneuverability is even more limited.
An 80,000 pound truck takes 525 feet to stop, when traveling at 65 miles per hour. An oversized truck weighing 100,000 pounds will take 25% longer, and a truck weighing 120,000 pounds will take 50% longer. These numbers paint a clear picture of just how dangerous an oversized vehicle may be in an emergency situation, when a truck driver needs to avoid a collision.
The sheer weight of an oversized truck may also put additional strain on the braking system and tires. Tires may even explode while the truck is traveling at high speeds. When you take into consideration the fact that an oversized truck may be improperly loaded or that the load may be improperly balanced, all of the potential hazards associated with these vehicles are compounded.
Contact a Truck Accident Attorney at our Firm
Collisions involving oversized trucks are even more dangerous than those involving standard commercial vehicles. Because an oversized truck may weigh more than 80,000 pounds and may exceed typical height, width and length restrictions, it is more likely to cause catastrophic damage to other vehicles – and their occupants. Make sure you work with a truck accident attorney who has the skill and experience to give your case the level of representation it deserves. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients in verdicts and settlements, and we are prepared to see how we can recover maximum compensation on your behalf.