Fort Worth Overloaded Truck Accident Attorney
Put Decades of Experience in Your Corner
Heavy commercial trucks are already dangerous, but when they are overloaded,
they can cause deadly accidents. Load weights for trucks are limited by
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
These regulations state that commercial trucks may only carry 20,000 pounds per axle, and
the maximum amount of weight is limited to 80,000 pounds. Exceeding the
safe carry limit of trucks can have serious consequences.
Dangers of Overloaded Trucks
Trucking companies must ensure that all loads are appropriate for the truck
hauling the load and that cargo is loaded in a proper, balanced way to
prevent accidents. If the load is loaded poorly or the weight is greater
than the truck can safely handle, a number of dangerous situations can
occur, such as:
- Difficulty stopping
- Increased injuries in an accident due to the extra weight and momentum
- Tire blowouts
- Reduced speed when driving uphill, which can make it difficult for other
drivers to follow
- Increased speed when driving downhill, which can make it difficult to safely
stop or can cause brake failure
- Rollovers, due to a higher center of gravity
- Difficulty maneuvering, making turns, and avoiding hazards
- Damage to roads, bridges, and overpasses due to excessive weight
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Each truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is used to determine
the load weight that the truck is capable of carrying. State and federal
regulations control the amount of weight a truck can carry. If these regulations
are broken and an accident occurs, the trucking company and driver can
be held liable for the accident. A truck’s GVWR is determined by
the ratings of different components of the truck, including the:
- Suspension
- Frame
- Brakes
- Axels
- Powertrain
Weighing Loads
Weigh stations are found along many highways to check that trucks do not
exceed their GVWR, but occasionally these scales are closed and drivers
may go for many miles before their load is weighed. If the scales are
open, drivers are only ticketed for being over their weight rating, and
they are allowed to continue their trip with an overweight load. The light
penalty for overweight loads may not discourage companies from sending
overloaded trucks out, which puts other drivers at risk.
Consequences of Overweight Trucks
Overloaded trucks are difficult for drivers to handle, and can be damaged
by the weight. The risk of brake failure, blowouts, or cargo falling from
the truck is increased when the load is too much for the vehicle’s
weight rating. Dangerous accidents can result from these circumstances,
and often, the injuries sustained in these accidents can be severe. Catastrophic
injuries from truck accidents include:
Get Trusted Help from Our Experienced Attorneys
If you have been involved in an accident with an overloaded truck, the
company or driver may be to blame for your accident. It is crucial to
prove the liability of the trucking company in your accident to ensure
that you can receive the appropriate compensation for your life-altering
injuries. Because of the complexity of
trucking accidents, you need to contact an experienced overloaded truck accident lawyer quickly
after your accident to begin your case.
Our Forth Worth overloaded truck accident attorneys will immediately begin
an investigation into your accident, and we will meticulously prepare
your case for settlement negotiations or even court.
Our legal team will discuss your case with you to develop a results-driven strategy for
fighting for your claim. We will fight for you and your rights.