Length and Width Limits

Truck Accidents Caused by Length and Width Violations

Even though the trucking industry is highly regulated, many of the limits and regulations in place help to reduce the number of collisions. In some instances, special permits may be available if extra precautions are taken. Truck accidents can be caused for a variety of reasons, but when an accident occurs because a trucking company violated length and width regulations and requirements on a semi-truck, you should be able to recover for your injuries, lost wages, and other costs.

Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in helping North Carolina and South Carolina’s injured drivers and their families in dealing with the devastating consequences of commercial truck accidents. His experience is put to work for each client in order to ensure that injured clients receive the compensation they deserve.

Truck Length and Width Regulations

The commercial motor vehicle (trucking industry) is highly regulated. Length and width restrictions are imposed by federal and state regulations in order to keep motorists safe. Commercial trucking companies and truck drivers must adhere to strict federal and state guidelines that are designed to protect other cars on the road.

Federal regulations provide minimum standards that states must allow with reasonable access routes, which means that states must allow commercial motor vehicles that do not exceed federal maximum width and minimum length requirements to have reasonable access between the national network of highways, terminals, and facilities for food, fuel, repairs, and rest.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, the minimum length standard throughout the state is 48 feet. This is only a minimum length standard and commercial motor vehicles that exceed this length may still be able to legally operate if the owners obtain an oversize permit and extra precautions are followed, including mapping a predetermined route that allows for the excess length of the vehicle.

The federal maximum width limit is 102 inches. However, oversized permits may be obtained if a commercial motor vehicle goes beyond this width limit. Also, there are many regulations that must be followed if an oversized permit is allowed and an oversized vehicle is operated on the roads.

These precautions help ensure maximum safety for other motorists traveling on the highway. Some states do not require oversize permits for certain vehicles such as farm equipment and construction equipment, in general commercial motor vehicles that exceed length and width regulations will require a special oversized permit in the states where they travel.

North Carolina and South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney

Size and speed make commercial motor vehicles dangerous and deadly when involved in an accident on the highway. Motorists in passenger vehicles or on motorcycles can be severely or fatally injured in these accidents. If a trucking company has failed to follow state or federal guidelines regarding the length and width limits of their commercial motor vehicles, then they can potentially be responsible for compensating victims for their injuries.

At the Tatum Law Firm, we are determined to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation allowed by law. We are available to discuss the merits of your claim and offer guidance in order to pursue legal recourse. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a semi-truck collision, please contact our offices at (704) 307-4350, or reach out online for a free case evaluation.