Commercial trucks are large and heavy enough under normal circumstances. However, when the load is oversized, traveling beside these monstrous machines can be downright dangerous. If you were injured in a truck accident in Phoenix, AZ, that involved an oversized load, you might be uncertain about your legal rights.
An experienced Phoenix oversize load truck accident lawyer from Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the compensation you need after your life was derailed. Count on our legal team to help if you were injured due to the negligence of a truck driver or company in Phoenix, AZ. We have over 55 years of combined experience helping accident victims like you recover the compensation they need. Contact us today or give us a call at (602) 595-5559 to speak with a knowledgeable Phoenix oversize load truck accident attorney.
How Our Phoenix Oversize Load Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help After a Crash
Truck accidents are often the result of negligence, especially when an oversized load is involved. Being able to prove the truck driver or company was at fault can be difficult, especially when you’re already dealing with painful and cumbersome injuries. Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers has a 98% success rate and has recovered more than $30 million for our clients. So, you know our Phoenix personal injury lawyers have what it takes to secure the money you’ll need for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and more.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Phoenix, AZ, our dedicated Phoenix truck accident lawyers can help by:
- Investigating the crash to determine how an oversized load contributed to it
- Identifying all at-fault parties and pursuing maximum compensation from them
- Filing insurance claims and monitoring the status of these claims
- Preserving crucial evidence to prove your legal claims
- Negotiating for full and fair compensation
- Monitoring case deadlines and taking legal action before they expire
If you were injured in a truck accident in Phoenix, AZ, contact our law firm for a free case review with our Phoenix oversize load truck accident attorney.
What Is an Oversized Load?
An oversized load is a shipment that exceeds the federal weight limit or other dimension limitations as defined under federal law. These loads can include prefabricated houses, heavy machinery, tanks, or other large loads. These loads cannot be divided into smaller loads without damaging the cargo. Because they represent unique risks, special rules usually apply to their transport.
Weight Limits for Oversize Loads In Arizona
The federal weight limit for semi-trucks is 80,000 pounds. However, some loads may exceed these weight limits. When they do, trucking companies must obtain oversized limit permits from state authorities. In Arizona, these loads can weigh up to 250,000 pounds. Even if the trucking company obtains the necessary permit, this does not mean that the truck is guaranteed to be safe or that the trucking company has followed all applicable safety guidelines.
Common Causes of Oversize Load Accidents
Oversized loads can cause unique issues that are separate from the inherent risk of driving a truck, such as:
- Longer stopping distances to avoid collisions
- Unfamiliarity of roadways that take truck drivers on roads they do not customarily drive
- Inexperience handling similar loads and understanding how to safely navigate with the constraints of an oversized load
- Failing to travel on roads with bridges or overpasses that cannot support the height or weight of the load
- Failing to properly secure the load
- Mechanical issues that are worsened because of the additional weight on the vehicle’s components
- Failing to follow required safety protocols to safely transport such loads, including exceeding the weight limit
Accidents involving these vehicles often result in serious injuries.
Injuries That Can Occur In an Oversize Load Truck Accident
Because of the additional weight and force of the crash, oversized truck load accidents tend to cause more serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Burns or disfiguring injuries
For many victims, these accidents result in permanent impairments that forever alter the victims’ lives.
Compensation Recoverable In an Oversize Load Truck Accident
The compensation you could recover in an oversized load accident depends on the losses you have suffered because of the accident.
You may be able to obtain money for:
- Medical expenses, both past and future
- Lost wages and reduced income
- Damage to your vehicle
- Permanent impairments, disabilities, disfigurement, and scarring
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced attorney can fight for the full compensation to which you are entitled.
Who Is Responsible for an Oversized Load Accident?
Before you can recover compensation for your claim, you will need to prove someone else is responsible for the accident, such as:
- The truck driver
- Trucking company
- Owner of the cargo
- The shipper
- The mechanic responsible for maintaining the truck and trailer
An experienced truck accident attorney can gather evidence about why the accident occurred, including the truck’s black box and personnel records. They can also work with experts to further support your claim.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Phoenix Oversize Load Truck Accident Attorneys
If you were injured in an accident involving an oversized load in Phoenix, AZ, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden. The Phoenix oversize load truck accident lawyers from Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers want to help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.