Oversized Loads Truck Accident Info

Oversized Loads trucks accidents attorneys in California

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 383.5 defines a commercial motor vehicle as a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property when the motor vehicle is a Combination Vehicle (Group A) having a gross combination weight rating or gross combination weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater, inclusive of a towed unit(s) with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds, whichever is greater; a Heavy Straight Vehicle (Group B) having a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater; or a Small Vehicle (Group C) that does not meet Group A or B requirements but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials as defined in this section.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) states that weight limits are imposed under California Vehicle Code §§ 35550-35558. The state has a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds for a vehicle combination, the gross weight on any one axle cannot exceed 20,000 pounds, and the gross weight upon any one wheel, or wheels, supporting one end of an axle, cannot exceed 10,500 pounds.

California Oversized Loads Truck Accident Lawyer

Did you suffer catastrophic injuries or was your loved one killed in a truck accident caused by an oversized load in California? You are going to want to get an attorney involved right away so they can conduct an independent investigation of your crash.

The May Firm can gather all of the evidence needed to prove a weight limit violation caused your accident and fight to help you get all of the compensation you are entitled to. We will review your case when you call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.

California Oversized Loads Laws

The California Vehicle Code provides the following laws relating to the weights of commercial motor vehicles:

• California Vehicle Code § 35100(a) – The total outside width of any vehicle or its load shall not exceed 102 inches, and California Vehicle Code § 35100(c) provides that a city or county can, by ordinance, prohibit a combination of vehicles of a total width in excess of 96 inches upon highways under its jurisdiction.
• California Vehicle Code § 35100.1 – For purposes of California Vehicle Code § 35100(a), the metric equivalent of 102 inches, 2.6 meters, meets the requirement California Vehicle Code § 35100 and the width measurement of any vehicle with side walls shall be made from the outside wall of the two opposite sides of the vehicle.
• California Vehicle Code § 35100.5 – The total outside width of a cotton module mover operated on the highways pursuant to California Vehicle Code § 35555 and the load thereon shall not exceed 130 inches in width. A county board of supervisors, with respect to any or all county highways within its jurisdiction or any portion thereof, can by resolution prohibit or limit the operation of cotton module movers exceeding the maximum width specified in California Vehicle Code § 35100.
• California Vehicle Code § 35101 – When any vehicle is equipped with pneumatic tires, the maximum width from the outside of one wheel and tire to the outside of the opposite outer wheel and tire shall not exceed 108 inches, but the outside width of the body of the vehicle or the load thereon shall not exceed 102 inches.
• California Vehicle Code § 35102 – When any vehicle carries a load of loosely piled agricultural products such as hay, straw, or leguminous plants in bulk but not crated, baled, boxed, or sacked, such load of loosely piled material and any loading racks retaining the same shall not exceed 120 inches in width.
• California Vehicle Code § 35103 – A vehicle used for recreational purposes may exceed the maximum width established under California Vehicle Code § 35100 if the excess width is attributable to an appurtenance, excluding a safety device, that does not exceed six inches beyond either sidewall of the vehicle.
• California Vehicle Code § 35104 – The limitations as to width do not apply to the following vehicles except that these vehicles shall not exceed a width of 120 inches: Special mobile equipment, special construction or highway maintenance equipment, and motor vehicles designed for, and used exclusively to, haul feed for livestock that are exempted from registration by subdivision (c) of Section 36102, except when operated on a highway during darkness.
• California Vehicle Code § 35105 – Any city organized under a freeholders’ charter may by ordinance permit a total outside width of vehicle and load in excess of the limits set forth in California Vehicle Code §§ 35100, 35101, 35102, 35104, and 35106 when the vehicle is used exclusively within the boundary limits of the city.
• California Vehicle Code § 35106 – Motor coaches or buses can have a maximum width not exceeding 102 inches, but motor coaches or buses operated under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission in urban or suburban service may have a maximum outside width not exceeding 104 inches, when approved by order of the Public Utilities Commission for use on routes designated by it. Motor coaches or buses operated by common carriers of passengers for hire in urban or suburban service and not under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission may have a maximum outside width not exceeding 104 inches.

Operating with an oversized load frequently requires a trucking company to get a permit making such a load allowable. Companies do not always take the time to get these permit and they can be held accountable for violations of state or federal laws.

Types of Oversized Loads Truck Accident Injuries

Oversized loads obviously make trucks weigh more and create even greater injuries. Many of these types of accidents can be fatal.

When a person is killed by an oversized load, their family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for costs incurred because of the person’s death. Even when people survive their injuries, they still have multiple challenges they could be dealing with.

The May Firm has experience helping people who have suffered such injuries as:

• Neck injuries
• Burn injuries
• Muscle strains
• Sprains
• Fractures
• Lacerations
• Internal organ injuries
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injuries

Trucking companies are going to work very quickly to try to cover their tracks after these kinds of accidents. You cannot delay in contacting a lawyer because trucking companies are allowed to destroy certain kinds of important evidence after a certain amount of time has passed.

Contact an Oversized Loads Accident Attorney in California

If you sustained severe injuries or your loved one was killed in a truck accident in California caused by an oversized load, you are going to want to get in touch with a lawyer right away. Do not wait to contact the May Firm.

We are available 24 hour a day, seven days a week. Call (844) 629-3476 or contact us online right now to set up a free consultation.