Size of Big Trucks | Houston Truck Accident Attorney

Federal and state governments have an interest in preserving the highways and in ensuring that the roadways are safe for all motorists. Because commercial trucks are larger than passenger vehicles and pose a risk to others on the roadway, federal and state law regulate the size and weight of large commercial trucks. Since federal law permits states to use grandfathered laws, size limitations on trucks vary by state.

Weight Standards

Federal law prohibits a commercial truck from weighing more than 80,000 pounds. Federal regulations apply to commercial trucks traveling on the interstate highway. A state may only regulate the weight of commercial trucks not traveling on the interstate highways. A state may not create weight limitations for commercial trucks operating on the interstate highway that are either higher or lower than the federal standard.

Size Standards

Federal regulations also limit the size of commercial trucks. The following regulations apply:

• Overall length: The federal government does not limit the length of truck tractor-semitrailers, except in cases where the truck-trailer combination carries vehicles or boats on a rack; the length may not exceed 65 or 75 feet, depending on the connection between the tractor and trailer.
• Trailer length: States may not impose a length limitation on a truck tractor-semitrailer combination of less than 48 feet, or the grandfathered limit for the state. This means that truck tractor-semitrailers that do not meet the federal regulations can continue to operate if they were in actual and lawful use in the state on December 1, 1982. The grandfathered limit in Texas is 59 feet. A state may not impose a length limitation of less than 28 feet on a semitrailer or trailer operating in a truck tractor-semitrailer-trailer combination.
• Vehicle width: A state may not restrict the width of a commercial motor vehicle to more or less than 102 inches.
• Vehicle height: Federal law does not impose height restrictions. States limits range between 13.6 feet and 14.6 feet.

Truck Wrecks

Collisions between big trucks and passenger vehicles can result in serious injuries or even death. A 2007 study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that truck wrecks accounted for 101,000 injuries and 4,808 deaths. If you have been injured or if a loved one has died in a Texas truck wreck, you may be entitled to compensation. A Houston truck accident attorney at the Law Office of Denena & Points may be able to help. Call 713-807-9500 or 877-307-9500 to schedule a consultation.