Large commercial trucks are known for hauling massive trailers and loads across the country. Some of these can reach upwards of 50 feet in length, taking up an entire lane of traffic on their own. Certain forms of cargo, like large machinery, can exceed those dimensions, presenting a real threat to the safety of motorists, especially in a city as robust and busy as San Diego, California.
At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, our San Diego oversize truck accident lawyers are well-versed in helping injury victims successfully navigate these complex and often preventable tragedies and recover compensation for their losses. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation at (858) 551-2090.
How Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Oversize Load Truck Accident in San Diego, CA
Hiring a skilled truck accident attorney is as vital as it is after being hurt in a wreck in San Diego, CA. These crashes can happen for various reasons, ranging from driver inexperience to issues with the way the cargo was loaded and secured.
When you hire Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we will get to work:
- Gathering all police reports and witness statements relevant to the accident
- Attaining records about the driver’s qualifications and history
- Examining business records from the trucking and freight company
- Looking at any dash cam footage from the truck (or other vehicles involved)
- Consulting with professionals, like reconstructionists, when necessary
We leave no stone unturned when it comes to understanding your accident, your injuries, and who is responsible for compensating you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
What Makes Oversized Trucks So Dangerous?
An oversized truck, also known as an over-dimensional or overweight vehicle, is a commercial freight vehicle that, along with its cargo, exceeds the standard legal limits for size and weight.
These standard limits, which are set by federal and state regulations, are typically:
- Width: 8.5 feet (102 inches)
- Height: 13.5 feet
- Length: 53 feet (for the trailer)
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 80,000 pounds
Because of their immense size and weight, oversized trucks pose unique safety risks on the road. Due to their limited maneuverability, they can have difficulty navigating turns, bridges, tunnels, and other vehicles. They also require significantly more time and distance to brake and can be a hazard to smaller vehicles.
Drivers who intend to haul these non-standard loads must obtain a special permit for each trip from the relevant state’s Department of Transportation. This permit outlines the specific route and time of travel, and often requires the use of pilot cars or escort vehicles to ensure the safety of other drivers.
In particular, the permit is necessary because oversized trucks:
- Require longer distances to stop
- Can jackknife when trying to brake suddenly
- Cannot navigate turns as easily as smaller loads
- Can become unbalanced, causing the truck to tip over
- Are dangerous for motorists who try to pass them by
- Place extra wear on tires and other equipment, which can lead to mechanical failures
Furthermore, the business operation that involves these larger loads must comply with the special rules and regulations laid out for oversized transport projects.
Proving Liability After an Oversize Truck Crash in San Diego
While an unqualified or inexperienced trucker’s errors could be to blame for any injuries you suffer, that driver is not the only one whose actions and decisions should be looked at following an oversized truck wreck.
Other potentially liable parties include the following:
The Driver’s Employer
The company that employs the driver could be responsible for compensating you, especially if it was aware that its driver was unqualified or cut corners when planning or executing their transportation job. When considering an employer’s liability, your attorney will look at the driver’s employment and disciplinary records and any relevant internal communications.
The Freight Company
If the business that hired the trucking company to carry its cargo did not load or secure it safely, then that business can be legally responsible for paying damages as well. To prove that, your lawyer will focus on obtaining and reviewing video footage of the loading operation, speaking with the workers who loaded the cargo, and reviewing employee training manuals.
The Mechanic
Finally, the company or person responsible for maintaining the truck and its equipment may also bear some blame after an oversized truck accident caused by equipment failures. If any truck component failure was reasonably foreseeable or preventable, then the mechanic responsible for servicing the truck can be held accountable for your losses, too.
Contact Our San Diego Oversize Load Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Oversize load truck accidents are complicated—but that doesn’t mean you should lose your chance at justice. At Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to fighting for the full compensation you deserve, even when powerful trucking companies and insurers push back.
Reach out today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with our San Diego oversize load truck accident attorneys. We’ll answer your questions, explain your legal options, and take on the heavy lifting so you can focus on recovery. With our team on your side, you can trust that we won’t settle for less than what it takes to make you whole.
