Earlier this week, a truck driver from Pennsylvania was fatally injured when his truck drove off I-70 just before 11 p.m. According to a report by the local CBS affiliate, the driver was heading eastbound on I-70, just east of Monument Road, when the 44-year-old driver inexplicably lost control of the vehicle, sending it off the side of the highway.
As the vehicle careened off the road, it rolled over, trapping the driver inside the cabin. By the time emergency medical personnel arrived and flipped the truck right-side up with a heavy duty tow truck, it was too late. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene.When Trucks Lose Control, Chaos Often Ensues
Despite the tragic nature of this accident, it could have been much worse. Often times, when a semi truck or tractor trailer loses control other cars are nearby and can easily become collateral damage. For this reason exactly, interstate truck drivers are heavily regulated by both state and federal government agencies.
Many of the regulations that truck drivers must comply with relate to the type of cargo they carry in their truck. For example, truckers who carry hazardous materials must comply with extremely strict rules and regulations designed to ensure the safe transport of their cargo. However, all truck drivers must comply with weight requirements that are in place to make sure that they remain safe and in control at all times.
Weight and Dimensional Requirements and Semi Trucks
As noted above, the federal government has one set of standards that acts like a floor; no state can regulate the trucking industry less than the federal guidelines. However, a state may choose to enact more stringent standards. In Maryland, the law places the same restrictions on semi trucks as federal law. In Maryland, the maximum dimensions and weight are as follows:
- Height: 13’6”
- Width: 96” or 102” depending on the road
- Single axle weight: 20,000 lbs.
- Tandem axle weight: 34,000 lbs.
- Total weight: 80,000 lbs.
- Semi truck length: 48’
Sometimes, truck companies induce their drivers to overload their trucks in order to save time and make more money for the company. However, when trucks are overloaded, they become much more difficult to handle and the chances for an accident increases.
Have You Been Involved in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you have been recently involved in a Maryland truck accident, you should speak with an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney immediately to discuss the facts of your case. As a victim of a Maryland truck accident you are entitled to a monetary award to compensate you for your medical bills, future medical expenses, as well as any pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident. The Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has the experience and dedication you need to obtain justice in your Maryland truck accident case. Contact the firm online, or call 410-654-3600 today to speak to an experienced attorney.
More Blog Posts:
Court Rejects Trucking Company’s Appeal Following Fatal Tractor Trailer-Pedestrian Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 9, 2013.
U.S. Court of Appeals Affirms Wilhem Test, Expert Testimony Unnecessary to Prove Back Injuries In Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published November 20, 2013.