June 26, 2026 | Truck Accidents
Semi trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and these heavy machines can turn deadly during a truck accident. With special permits and licenses, they can even weigh more than 100,000 pounds in some cases.
Trucking companies are required to follow special regulations at both the state and federal levels. Keep reading below to learn more about how much a semi truck weighs and all the rules that apply.
Regulations Governing Semi Truck Weight
Each state has the authority to set its own rules when it comes to truck weight on state and local roads. On interstate highways, the federal rules set semi truck weight limits at 80,000 pounds gross weight. Most states follow this same rule, including Pennsylvania. Under Pennsylvania law, the maximum gross weight of any vehicle or combination (such as a semi truck and trailer) is 80,000 pounds.
Special permits can be issued to allow for the movement of vehicles weighing more than 80,000 pounds. Carriers must submit an application for an overweight hauling permit. With one of these permits, trucks can be moved that weigh up to 201,000 pounds.
Additional Semi Truck Size Regulations in Pennsylvania
In addition to weight limits, Pennsylvania also imposes some additional size limitations on semi trucks. In Pennsylvania, while there is no maximum length limit for the entire truck-and-trailer combination on designated highways, the semi-trailer itself may not exceed 53 feet in length.
The width of a semi truck may also not exceed 8 feet, 6 inches. Loads may not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front of the vehicle nor more than 6 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle. Similar to exceptions for vehicle weight, carriers may also get special permits to transport loads larger than these limits. Special applications and permits are required to carry oversized loads.
What Makes Semi Trucks So Dangerous?
When a semi truck is involved in an accident, the damage can be catastrophic. A passenger vehicle is no match for a semi truck that weighs 80,000 pounds. Not only are semi trucks very heavy, but there are several other things that make these machines very dangerous.
Some of those include:
- Long stopping distances: The weight of these trucks makes it very difficult to bring them to a stop, and the stopping distance of a semi can be nearly 600 feet.
- Large blind spots: Semi trucks have massive blind spots at the rear and to the sides of the vehicles. Vehicles sitting in these areas cannot be seen by the truck driver.
- Shifting cargo: These large trucks carry cargo of all types, and sudden shifts in that cargo can throw the truck off balance. Sometimes, cargo even spills into the roadway and causes an accident.
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road, and drowsiness can be very dangerous. Fatigue may cause delayed reaction times, lane drifting, and other dangerous behavior.
Semi truck drivers must hold a special license and possess the required skills in order to operate these large vehicles safely. However, these large vehicles are dangerous even when being operated by the best drivers.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you know just how devastating these crashes can be. You could be entitled to recover significant compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. However, the trucking company isn’t going to just hand over the money without a fight.
After a truck accident, you should:
- Call the police so that they can create an accident report
- Get immediate medical treatment for any injuries
- Take photos of all the vehicles involved as well as the accident scene
- Obtain names and phone numbers for any witnesses
- Do NOT talk to the insurance company without getting help from a lawyer
Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side is crucial to getting the compensation you are owed.
Contact a Scranton Truck Accident Lawyer at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in a truck accident, an experienced attorney can investigate whether the trucking company complied with federal and state safety regulations, including legal weight limits and cargo requirements.
For more information, contact Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC to schedule a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys. We proudly serve clients in Scranton, Kingston, Berwick, PA, and Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne Counties. We’re here to fight for your rights with trusted, experienced legal support. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Scranton
148 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18503
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Kingston
183 Market St #200, Kingston, PA 18704
(570) 714-4878
Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Berwick
120 W Front St, Berwick, PA 18603
(570) 714-4878