Oversized Load Truck Accident Lawyer in Hollywood FL

oversized load truck on highway

Truck drivers and trucking companies sometimes overload their vehicles because carrying more cargo per trip can significantly increase efficiency and decrease operating expenses – which increases profits. However, this type of behavior is not only unlawful but can also lead to devastating crashes with serious consequences.

You may be owed compensation if you have been injured in a traffic accident involving a truck with oversized or overloaded cargo in Hollywood, FL. At Rosen & Ohr, P.A., we have over 50 years of experience advocating for injury victims in Hollywood and across South Florida. Our injury lawyers can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your injuries and other losses suffered due to an oversized load truck accident.

Contact our office for a free initial consultation to learn more about your legal options.

What Is Considered an Oversized Load in Hollywood, FL?

An oversized load is any load carried by a commercial truck that exceeds the appropriate size or weight limits, given the applicable laws and conditions. That includes limitations on the maximum height, width, length, axle weight, or gross weight for a given vehicle. The federal government imposes such restrictions on commercial vehicles involved in interstate operations, but most states also set their own limits.

If a commercial truck driver enters a state with an oversized load based on local restrictions, they must obtain a permit to continue traveling through the state. In Florida, overweight and over-dimension permits are available through the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Many states allow these permits only for “nondivisible” items, which cannot be broken down into smaller components. However, Florida does grant permits for oversized divisible loads.

Size and Weight Limits for Semi-Trucks in Florida

Florida law outlines the maximum allowable dimensions for the width, height, and length of commercial trucks operating within the state. The law specifies the following size limits for these vehicles:

  • Maximum width – The outside width of any vehicle or load on Florida roads may not exceed 102 inches (8 feet 6 inches), not including necessary safety devices.
  • Maximum height – The maximum height for vehicles in Florida is 13 feet 6 inches, including the loads they carry. However, automobile transport trucks may be as tall as 14 feet, including the loads they carry.
  • Tractor-trailer combination limits – Length limits for trucks typically apply only to the semi-trailers or trailers being towed, not the truck tractors that pull them. That said, truck drivers are prohibited from pulling more than two trailing units behind their tow vehicles at any given time.
  • Maximum length for straight trucks – Straight trucks, which have their cabs and beds attached to a single frame, may not exceed 40 feet in length. However, drivers of straight trucks are permitted to attach forklifts to the rear ends of their vehicles, so long as the combined length of the vehicle and the forklift is no more than 50 feet. Straight trucks can also tow a single trailer at a time, but the combined length of the truck plus the trailer may not exceed 68 feet.
  • Maximum length for semi-trailers – A semi-trailer, which is a tow unit pulled behind a separate, articulated truck, may not exceed 48 feet in length. However, semi-trailers up to 57 feet long may operate on certain state roads with special permits and restrictions.
  • Maximum length for tandem trailers – Tandem trailers are smaller tow units designed to be pulled in pairs by tow vehicles, one behind the other. No semi-trailer or trailer in a tandem combination behind a truck may exceed 28 feet in length, except for specific units manufactured before 1982.
  • Maximum length for load extensions – Any load jutting out from the front of a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not extend more than three feet past the front wheels or bumper. However, exceptions exist for public transit vehicles carrying bike racks and waste collection vehicles with front-loading mechanisms. Trucks carrying boats or boat trailers are prohibited from transporting loads that extend 6 feet or more beyond the rear ends of their trailers, and trucks carrying horticultural trees have a rear-end load extension limit of 10 feet.

There are also weight limits for commercial vehicles in Florida, designed to reduce wear and tear on public roads and reduce the severity of collisions. Per Florida law, the maximum weight for each axle of a vehicle may not exceed 20,000 pounds. Additionally, the maximum overall gross weight for any vehicle is 80,000 pounds, regardless of the number of axles.

What Causes Oversized Load Truck Accidents in Hollywood, FL?

Commercial trucks are designed to carry large, hefty loads. But when one of these vehicles gets loaded down with cargo that is too large or exceeds its tow capacity, it can increase the risk of accidents considerably because:

  • When trucks are towing more weight, they take longer to slow down or stop.
  • Truck drivers generally have less control when carrying oversized loads.
  • Oversized loads cannot be taken on certain roads, which means truck drivers may be forced to take alternate, unfamiliar routes, where crashes are more likely.
  • Oversize and overweight loads increase the chances of jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, tire blowouts, and cargo spillage.
  • Overweight loads reduce tire traction, making trucks more challenging to maneuver.

Who Is at Fault for an Oversized Load Truck Crash?

If you are injured in an oversized load truck crash, you may have grounds to seek compensation from the parties at fault for the collision. They could include:

  • The truck driver
  • The trucking company
  • A shipping company
  • The owner of the cargo
  • A cargo loading team

What Compensation Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?

You could be owed compensation for a wide range of losses, including:

  • Hospital bills and other medical costs
  • Lost wages from missed time at work
  • Lost earning capacity due to permanent injuries
  • Pain and suffering
  • Incidental costs, like mileage expenses

Contact Our Experienced Hollywood Oversize Load Truck Accident Lawyers

If you were hurt in an accident involving a truck carrying an oversized load, the legal team at Rosen & Ohr, P.A., can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm to discuss the details of your case in a free initial consultation session with one of our Hollywood oversize load truck accident lawyers.

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