Semi-trucks are massive. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can have a gross weight of up to 80,000 pounds during regular operations. However, semis and self-propelled trucks can exceed this weight if the trucking company first obtains an oversized permit. This additional size and weight increase both the risk and severity of oversized load truck accidents in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Trucking companies are legally responsible for safely operating, loading, and maintaining trucks and trailers. When an oversized load accident occurs, the Fort Lauderdale oversized load truck accident lawyers at Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers help crash victims seek compensation from the businesses responsible. Contact us today at (954) 361-3997 for a free case review.
How Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Oversized Load Truck Accident in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Our firm’s lawyers have decades of experience representing accident victims in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, against at-fault parties and their insurers. We have secured over $40 million in accident compensation to help our clients pay their medical bills and living expenses after their injuries.
When you suffer a serious injury due to the careless actions of a truck driver or trucking company, we provide the following help:
- Evaluate your legal options and discuss possible strategies for compensation
- Build a case against the at-fault driver and gather records and evidence
- File an insurance claim and negotiate to resolve it
- Pursue a lawsuit if we cannot obtain an insurance settlement
Oversized loads pose a significant risk to motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, and even truck drivers. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale truck accident attorney to learn about your right to pursue injury compensation from a trucking company after a collision.
How Oversized Loads Affect Truck Crashes in Fort Lauderdale
Oversized loads increase the severity of truck collisions. The energy of a moving vehicle depends on its speed and weight. Thus, heavier vehicles pack more energy when they collide with another object.
This energy is not lost during the collision. Instead, it goes into mangling your vehicle and body. Even a low-speed collision with a truck carrying an oversized load can cause catastrophic injuries to the brain, spinal cord, and limbs simply due to the massive weight.
Worse yet, oversized loads may also increase the likelihood of a crash since trucks with loads that are heavier or larger than normal face specific crash risks.
Less Maneuvering Space
Oversized trucks take up more space on the road than standard commercial vehicles. When a truck exceeds normal size or weight limits, the trucking company typically must obtain a special permit before transporting the load.
Because these trucks are larger and heavier than usual, they can be harder to steer, turn, and change lanes safely. This reduced maneuverability can increase the risk of a collision, especially in heavy traffic or on narrow roads.
Unbalanced Loads
Oversized loads are also more difficult to balance and secure. The load may be too heavy for the tie-downs, resulting in a load that shifts or falls during transit. The lost load may cause the driver to lose control of the truck or trailer. It may even fall from the truck onto the road or another vehicle.
Loss of Control
Trucks carrying oversized loads are more difficult to steer and stop. A driver may lose control and strike other vehicles, roll over, or jackknife, particularly on slick roads.
Increased Stress on Equipment
Oversized loads stress trucks and trailers more than normal loads. Brakes, tires, wheels, cargo tie-downs, and other equipment may fail under the stress, leading to crashes.
Common Injuries in Fort Lauderdale Oversized Load Truck Accidents
Oversized load truck accidents often cause severe injuries because of the tremendous size and weight involved in these collisions. When a large commercial truck strikes a passenger vehicle, the force of the crash can lead to life-altering harm that requires extensive medical treatment and long-term recovery.
Victims of oversized load truck accidents may suffer injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that can affect memory, cognition, and daily functioning
- Spinal cord injuries that may lead to partial or complete paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures that require surgery or extended rehabilitation
- Internal bleeding and organ damage that can be life-threatening without immediate treatment
- Severe soft tissue injuries, including torn ligaments, muscle damage, and deep bruising
If you suffered any of these injuries in an oversized load truck accident in Fort Lauderdale, an experienced Fort Lauderdale truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages caused by the crash.
Contact Our Fort Lauderdale Oversized Load Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Truck crashes in Fort Lauderdale often result from negligent acts committed by or attributed to trucking companies. Contact Workman Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss the cause of your crash and how we can pursue compensation from the at-fault parties. Our Fort Lauderdale oversized load truck accident attorneys are standing by, ready to help.
