What Is an Oversized Load?

Oversized loads are commercial cargo that exceed legally defined limits for size or weight. These regulations exist to protect all road users from unnecessary risk.

According to federal and North Carolina standards, a truck load is considered oversized when it exceeds:

• 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
• 20,000 pounds on a single axle
• 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle
• 13 feet 6 inches in height
• 8 feet 6 inches in width
• 53 feet in length (for a standard tractor-trailer combination)

If a truck exceeds any of these thresholds, it must carry a valid oversize permit, use warning signage (like “OVERSIZE LOAD” banners), and may require escort vehicles or restricted travel hours.

Why Oversized Loads Are High-Risk

Oversized trucks don’t just bend the rules—they break basic safety principles. These vehicles:

• Require much longer stopping distances, even under ideal conditions
• Have a higher center of gravity, increasing the risk of rollovers
• Are harder to turn and control, especially on narrow or curved roads
• Take up more space, creating wider blind spots and limiting visibility
• Can damage road infrastructure, leading to sudden hazards
• Struggle with load shifts, especially when cargo is not secured correctly

Even when drivers are fully alert, these risks are difficult to manage. Add fatigue, distraction, or pressure to meet deadlines, and the chances of an accident skyrocket.

Common Oversized Load Accidents

Due to their size and instability, oversized load trucks are involved in some of the most severe wrecks on North Carolina roads. We often see:

• Rear-end collisions – Overweight trucks can’t stop in time and plow into vehicles ahead.
• Rollover crashes – Top-heavy or unbalanced loads cause trucks to tip during turns or emergency maneuvers.
• Jackknife accidents – Sudden braking or wet roads can cause the trailer to swing out and block traffic.
• Bridge strikes or tunnel impacts – Loads that exceed height limits slam into overpasses or low-clearance structures.
• Tire blowouts – Excessive weight puts extreme pressure on tires, leading to catastrophic failures.
• Wide-turn collisions – Oversized loads often swing into adjacent lanes during turns, sideswiping other vehicles.
• Multi-vehicle pileups – When an oversized truck crashes, it often involves multiple cars, especially on highways.

Who’s Liable in These Accidents?

Establishing liability is critical in oversized load accidents. It’s rarely just one person or company responsible. In many cases, multiple parties share the blame:

• Truck driver – For driving too fast, ignoring permit restrictions, or failing to manage the load safely.
• Trucking company – For pushing deadlines, failing to inspect vehicles, or neglecting proper route planning.
• Cargo loader or shipper – If the load was improperly packed, uneven, or insecure.
• Permit issuer or contractor – For approving unsafe travel routes or neglecting signage and guidance.

At LawyerPower, we investigate every angle to determine where responsibility lies. We work with accident reconstruction experts, mechanical engineers, and industry professionals to get the facts.

Our Investigation Process

Oversized load truck crashes require immediate and thorough investigation. Time is critical, and we act fast to preserve evidence. Our legal team will request:

• Secure black box data (event recorders that show speed, braking, and driver actions)
• Collect driver logs to check for fatigue, violations, or over-hours operation
• Analyze permits and travel restrictions for any violations
• Review maintenance and inspection records
• Obtain police reports and crash scene photos
• Interview eyewitnesses and first responders
• Bring in truck mechanics and accident reconstruction experts

We leave nothing to chance. These are high-value, high-risk cases, and we treat them that way from the beginning.

What You May Be Entitled To

Oversized truck accidents often result in devastating physical, financial, and emotional harm. You may be entitled to full compensation for:

• Medical bills – including emergency care, surgery, rehab, and future treatment
• Lost income – for time missed at work or loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering – for physical and emotional trauma
• Property damage – including vehicle repairs or replacement
• Disability or disfigurement
• Loss of consortium – if your injury has impacted your family life
• Wrongful death damages – if you’ve lost a loved one in the crash

We carefully assess your case to calculate the full impact and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer

Oversized load accidents are not like regular car crashes. The insurance policies are larger. The companies involved are more aggressive. And the rules governing commercial transport are far more complex. Trying to go it alone is a fast track to a low settlement.

Here’s how we help:

• Protect your rights from day one—before the insurance company pressures you
• Handle all negotiations with insurers and trucking companies
• Build a strong case using expert evidence and legal strategy
• Fight for a fair settlement—or take your case to court if necessary
• Provide peace of mind, so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything unless we win.

Call a Charlotte Oversized Load Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you’ve been injured by an overloaded or oversized truck, don’t wait. The trucking companies are already preparing their defense—you need to prepare yours. At the LawyerPower Office of Mark Farbman, we’re ready to fight for you.

Call (704) 542-1555 today or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.