Truck Accident Lawyers

The Vehicle Size and Weight Team

The Vehicle Size and Weight Team was created by the United States Department of Transportation. This organization is part of the Federal Highway Administration. It helps to protect both the public and the truck drivers from accidents. The Vehicle Size and Weight Team is designed to ensure that trucking and bus companies comply with weight and size restrictions.

We’ve all passed weigh stations along the highways. When a truck enters a weigh station, it is there to be measured. At the weigh station, operators will check the exact weight, length, and width of the entire vehicle. Generally, a single-axle vehicle is not permitted to tow more than 20,000 pounds. Tandem-axle vehicles can carry up to 34,000 pounds. The Gross Vehicle Weight is not supposed to exceed 80,000 pounds. While these are relatively standard for ordinary roads, bridges may have different requirements.

While the total amount of weight a vehicle is allowed to carry is pretty much standard, the allowable width and length of the vehicle can vary from state to state. There is a federal requirement but each state is allowed to create its own standards concerning width and length. Vehicle height, for most states, is not supposed to exceed 14.6 feet although some states do put their limit between 13.6 feet and 14.6 feet. Federal laws do put limits on length and width. Laws say that the length limit that a state imposes cannot be less than 48 feet and that states cannot require trucks to be less than 102 inches wide.

The Vehicle Size and Weight Team helps monitor these standards at all weigh stations. If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler, please contact the truck accident lawyers of Williams Kherkher at 1-866-950-9000 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.