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:

• Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries (SCI)
• Paralysis
• Fractures
• Burns
• Amputations

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.