Oversize and overweight truck accidents in Nashville can overwhelm victims with complex legal and insurance challenges. Our experienced truck accident attorneys are here to guide you through this difficult process and work toward the compensation you need.
While a typical tractor-trailer can carry tens of thousands of pounds worth of cargo without any trouble at all, every machine has a maximum amount of strain it can handle before wearing or breaking down, and semi-trucks are no exception. As such, strict state and federal laws govern the weight of heavy commercial trucks when traveling on various roads and routes. However, not all truck drivers and trucking companies are as diligent about following these laws as they should be.
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Franklin cause serious injuries to the people involved; however, they may also be difficult to file suit over compared to other types of truck wrecks. With the support of a capable attorney from the Law Firm for Truck Safety, you may be able to effectively enforce your rights and demand the financial restitution you deserve.
How Heavy Can Semi-Trucks Be on Franklin Roads?
Under current regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)The U.S. federal agency that regulates the trucking industry., tractor-trailers traveling on interstate highways or routes which involve them crossing state lines cannot have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)This is the maximum weight that a vehicle, such as a truck or trailer, can safely operate at, including its own weight plus the weight of passengers and cargo. Manufacturers set the GVWR to ensure vehicle integrity and operational safety under load, preventing overloading that could lead to mechanical failures or accidents. of more than 80,000 pounds. This means they cannot weigh more than 80,000 pounds across their cab, trailer, and cargo combined. Furthermore, the FMCSA regulations prohibit trucks from traveling interstate if they have more than 20,000 pounds of weight placed on one axle or more than 34,000 pounds placed on one axle group, assuming the truck’s GVWR is spread evenly across all axles and axle groups.
State law sets an identical maximum weight limit—80,000 pounds—on trucks traveling solely within its borders. However, it also allows truckers and trucking companies to apply for special permits to carry oversized loads within state lines and along pre-approved routes. If you were struck and injured by an overweight or overloaded truck without this permit, our Franklin attorneys could help you file a suit and demand civil restitution for the losses you have suffered from the collision.
Proving a Tractor-Trailer Was Illegally Overweight
Trucking companies may know when one of their trucks has been overloaded with cargo, and this may complicate your case. A substantial portion of crashes in Franklin involve trucks that have been intentionally overloaded to save time and money on transit.
Even worse, the companies operating these trucks could continue to break the law by altering or destroying records that would otherwise reveal their unlawful behavior. Besides helping you collect relevant information about your crash, we could also help determine if altered shipping manifests, driver logs, and even weigh station records hid illegal activity that led to a preventable accident.
Discuss Your Options With a Franklin Attorney After a Collision With an Overloaded or Overweight Rig
A semi-truck cab without any trailer attached to it still has enough mass to destroy any passenger car it collides with and cause life-altering trauma to everyone inside. The risks associated with a commercial truck that has been intentionally overloaded in violation of state and federal laws are exponentially greater, as you and your family may have already learned.
We take a holistic approach to civil suits to help you recover from your injuries, not just physically and financially, but also emotionally. Call us today to learn how we could help you and discuss your claim against one of the many overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Franklin.
