Brooklyn Height and Weight Width Limits Accident

Some of common reasons for a car accident or a truck accident include speeding, driving under the influence of drug or alcohol, failure to stop at a red light, or violation of some other New York traffic regulation. However, many truck accidents also result from factors related to the height or width of the truck. If a truck is oversized or is carrying an oversized load, it is more likely to cause a serious accident with both property damage and personal injury. An oversized truck may pose problems when driving under overpasses and maneuvering through and around other parts of a roadway. Because of the potential problems related to the height or width of large trucks, both the federal and state government has rules regulating the size of trucks. In addition, a truck carrying an oversized load may be overweight, violating federal law regarding the maximum weight of a truck. Each large truck has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) set by the truck’s manufacturer. No truck should ever be loaded beyond its GVWR. If a vehicle is overloaded, it becomes less safe to drive. For example, if the truck is too heavy its brakes may not be as effective, the suspension components can become ineffective, and its tires are more likely to blow out. Victims of truck accidents often suffer serious injuries such as a brain injury, contusions, broken bones, internal injuries, amputations, paralysis, or spinal cord injury. Many truck accidents are fatal. If you were injured in a truck accident because the truck was oversized, it is important that you immediately contact a Brooklyn Height and Width Limits Accident Lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You will also be entitled to compensation for any medical malpractice claim that arises based on treatment you received for the truck accident injuries.

State law regulates the height and width of trucks. In New York, the height limit for trucks is 13’6’’. The maximum width of trucks is 8’ 6”. To travel on New York roads, drivers of taller trucks or wider loads must obtain an over-dimensional vehicles permit. Trucks that do not follow height and width limitations run the risk of damaging property such as by hitting an overpass. Furthermore, such a collision could also involve other vehicles, resulting in serious injury to occupants of those vehicles. If a driver disregards these state regulations, that driver or the trucking company may be held liable for any property damage or personal injury that results from the truck accident.

If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident you may be able to recover damages from the truck driver, trucking company, or owner of the truck. Such damages may include:

• Medical expenses. The medical expenses that you incurred for treatment of the injury, including expenses related to an emergency room or hospital stay, surgery, and ongoing visits to the doctor. In addition to expenses that you incurred at the time you filed the lawsuit, you can also sue for future medical expenses.
• Lost income and compensation. While you recover from your injuries you may miss work. The amount of work that you miss depends on the severity of your injury and the treatment required. When you miss work you may lose both wages as well as other types of compensation. Wages include the hourly wages or salary that your earn and get paid in the form of a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly paycheck. Compensation, on the other hand, includes benefits you are entitled to from your employer. For example, sick days are a benefit. If you had to use 12 sick days while recovering from your defective product injury, you have the right to be compensated for the value of those 12 days.
• Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering awards are linked to both the emotional trauma and the physical pain you experienced because of the accident and injuries. For example, those who experience severe injuries often suffer depression, anxiety, frustration, bitterness, inconvenience, and mental anguish. Moreover, injury victims often have to cope with emotional and mental issues related to permanent disfigurement, pain, and extended limitations on physical activities.

If you were involved in a truck accident that occurred because the truck was too tall or too wide it is important to immediately contact an experienced truck accident attorney at Stephen Bilkis & Associates, PLLC to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from truck accidents, as well as SUV accidents, car accidents, and motorcycle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.