Tractor-trailers are designed from the ground up to safely carry tens of thousands of pounds of cargo over long distances, provided the people operating them are properly trained and responsible behind the wheel. Unfortunately, there’s only so much that even the most skilled truck driver can do to keep a dangerously overloaded truck under control. Even worse, some trucking companies that are more interested in profits than safety knowingly put dozens of overweight trucks on public roads every week.
Filing a lawsuit over an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Webster Groves is far from a simple process, especially given how hard truck companies and their insurance providers tend to fight against liability. At OnderLaw, we are proud of our commitment to helping victims stand up to corporate wrongdoing and hold companies accountable for their actions, thanks to our truck accident attorneys. We will put all our skills and expertise towards getting you the best possible case result.
A lot of complicated math goes into determining exactly how much different parts of a truck can legally weigh under both federal and Missouri state law. That said, here’s the basic gist: under federal law, commercial trucks traveling on interstate highways across state borders can’t have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating—in other words, a combined weight across the cab, trailer, and cargo—over 80,000 pounds. Assuming equal load distribution across all axles, they can’t put more than 20,000 pounds of weight on any single axle or more than 34,000 pounds on any tandem axle group.
Missouri mostly imposes the same limits on in-state truck traffic, except that trucks traveling off the interstate can put up to 22,000 pounds on a single axle and up to 36,000 pounds on a tandem axle group. If they obtain a special permit though, truckers can travel in-state on pre-determined routes with a GVWR of up to 160,000 pounds, with limits of:
Any truck exceeding these limits is unlawfully overweight. This could make a trucking company, supplier, and/or driver civil liable if they are involved in a collision in Webster Groves.
Unfortunately, knowing that a truck was dangerously overloaded is one thing, but proving it is another entirely. Although it might be infuriating to think about, most trucking companies that overload their trucks know that what they’re doing is illegal. They have no problem breaking the law repeatedly to hide what they’ve done by altering or destroying shipping records that would otherwise be crucial evidence against them.
This is one reason working with experienced legal counsel can be especially important after an overloaded truck crash in Webster Groves. Our reliable team of attorneys at OnderLaw knows exactly how to handle law-breaking truck companies and the insurance companies that represent them. We chase every lead and hunt down every bit of evidence needed to get you paid what you deserve.
Overweight trucks are a danger to everyone who shares a road or highway with them. If you’ve suffered serious injuries in an overloaded commercial vehicle wreck, those responsible for breaking the law should be liable for all of your accident-related losses.
Guidance from a trusted lawyer at OnderLaw can make a world of difference in obtaining a positive result in your claim following an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Webster Groves. Contact our firm today to get the dedicated representation you deserve.
