Oversize Load Truck Accidents in Gainesville, FL
A truck accident in Gainesville can cause horrific injuries and fatalities. Sadly, many tractor-trailer accidents are preventable. Negligence, carelessness, and intentional wrongdoing cause most commercial truck accidents in Florida.
Our Gainesville oversize load truck accident lawyers of Allen Law Firm, P.A. have hundreds of years of combined legal experience handling car accidents, truck crashes, and other injury claims. Our legal team has substantial resources, skills, and experience to handle accident cases involving large trucks.
Do not try to fight the trucking company and its insurance companies alone. You will likely lose because these companies have endless resources to fight injury claims. Instead, let our top-rated legal team handle the fight for you.
Contact our Gainesville, FL law office today at (877) 255-3652 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
How Our Gainesville Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After an Oversize Load Truck Crash
Truck accident cases are much more complicated than accident cases involving passenger vehicles. There are many more parties involved with deep pockets to fight claims. Furthermore, state and federal trucking regulations may add another layer of complexity to a case.
Our Gainesville personal injury lawyers understand what is necessary to win a truck accident case. In addition, we have a thorough understanding of trucking regulations and laws and how they apply to a truck accident claim.
When you hire Allen Law Firm, P.A. to handle your case, you can expect us to:
- Analyze your claim and explain your rights and legal options
- Launch an immediate truck accident investigation to gather and preserve evidence proving fault and liability
- Monitor the deadlines under Florida’s statute of limitations for filing claims and lawsuits
- Hire accident reconstructionists, engineers, medical experts, and other experts as needed to assist with the claim
- Handle all communications with parties associated with the case
- Provide honest answers and guidance throughout your case
- Discuss the pros and cons of accepting a settlement offer and whether the offer is in your best interest
- Work to get you a fair amount for your injury claim
We want to help you get the money you deserve. Contact our Gainesville, Florida law firm by phone or online to schedule your free, confidential consultation today.
Size and Weight Limits for Semi-Trucks in Florida
Florida laws define a commercial vehicle as:
- Having a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more;
- Not owned or operated by the government; AND
- Uses special fuel or motor fuel on public highways.
The maximum gross weight for a commercial truck in Florida is 80,000 pounds. However, the maximum weight could be lower for some vehicles, depending on the number of axles.
The maximum height for a semi-truck in Florida is 13 feet 6 inches, including the truck’s load. Trucks that transport automobiles may be up to 14 feet tall. A truck cannot exceed a width of more than 102 inches or 75 feet in total length.
There are times when a truck may need to carry an oversized load. A motor carrier can apply for an overweight or oversized load permit from the Florida Department of Transportation. Oversize trip permits may be used for up to five days to complete a single trip. Blanket permits are available for multiple trips during a 12-month period.
What Causes Oversize Load Truck Accidents in Gainesville, FL?
Trucks carry loads with enormous weights. However, when you add additional weight, size, height, or width to an already extremely large truck, it can increase the risk of some truck accidents.
Oversized loads can cause some problems on the road.
Issues that can contribute to the cause of an oversize load truck accident include:
- As the weight and size of the load increase, the stopping distance for the truck decreases
- The level of control over the truck decreases with an oversized load
- Truck drivers might need to change routes and travel unfamiliar, smaller roads to avoid bridges and overpasses
- There could be a greater risk of jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, and tire blowouts with oversized truck loads
- Lack of driver training for oversized loads could lead to a truck crash
- Failing to follow safety procedures and regulations for oversized truckloads could lead to a truck accident
Parties that could be liable for an oversize load truck accident include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Shippers
- Loaders
- Owner of the cargo
Therefore, our legal team thoroughly assesses each factor that led to the oversize load accident to ensure that all potentially liable parties are named in the claim.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Truck Accident Claim?
Oversize load truck crashes can result in catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, amputations, and internal organ failure. The damages caused by the truck crash can be extensive.
The types of damages you could receive for a truck accident claim include:
- Mental, physical, and emotional pain and suffering
- Past and future lost wages and reductions in earning potential
- Skilled nursing care and personal care
- Past and future cost of medical care and treatment
- Reduced quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement, impairments, and disabilities
- Wrongful death
The value of your truck accident case depends on the severity of your injuries and other factors. Our legal team works diligently to ensure all damages are included in your claim to increase how much your personal injury case is worth.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Gainesville Oversize Load Truck Accident Lawyers
Trucking companies, truck drivers, and other parties involved in the trucking industry have a duty of care to protect the public from injuries caused by truck accidents. When they breach this duty of care, they can be held accountable for their conduct.
The legal team at Allen Law Firm, P.A. is ready to take up the fight for you. We handle all aspects of your injury claim so you can focus on your recovery. Call now to speak with a member of our legal team to discuss how our Gainesville oversize load truck accident lawyers can help you.
