Semi trucks, also known as tractor trailers or big rigs, play a vital role in transporting goods across the country. However, when these massive trucks are overloaded beyond legal weight limits, they can become deadly weapons on our highways. In this blog, we’ll break down how overloaded semi trucks put all motorists at risk and frequently cause devastating truck accidents.
What Are the Weight Limit Laws for Semi Trucks?
The Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula sets the maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a semi truck on the interstate. This limit ranges from 80,000 pounds to 105,500 pounds depending on the configuration of the rig. States may set lower truck weight limits on state and local roadways. Exceeding these weight restrictions is illegal and finable.
Unfortunately, some trucking companies and drivers overlook weight limits in their quest to haul heavier loads. Overloading trucks beyond capacity is an all too common occurrence, jeopardizing everyone on the road.
Overloaded Semi Trucks Lead to Blown Tires and Brake Failure
Excess weight puts incredible strain on a semi truck’s brakes, tires, axles, and other critical components. When trucks tip the scales at 20,000, 30,000 or even 40,000 more pounds than their weight limit, stressed parts can malfunction.
Overloaded semi truck tires frequently overheat and blow out, especially at high speeds. Brakes can overheat from overuse, leading to loss of stopping power. The results are often catastrophic wrecks. Industry studies show that improperly inflated or overloaded tires are a major factor in roughly 1 in 7 truck accidents.
Difficulty Stopping and Slowing Down
The heavier the truck, the more momentum it carries and kinetic energy it builds up —making it exponentially harder to brake and decelerate. An overloaded 80,000 pound rig requires over 20% further stopping distance than a compliant truck. This delayed braking dramatically raises the chance of truckers rear-ending passenger vehicles or failing to stop for hazards in time.
Extra mass also limits a semi’s ability to turn and react quickly to avoid dangerous situations. Responding too late or swinging wide can mean TruckingSafety sins much higher risk of sideswiping or overturning.
Jackknifing and Rollover Accidents
Excess cargo weight raises a semi’s center of gravity, making it unbalanced and prone to rolling over or jackknifing. These frightening accidents typically occur when trucks swerve abruptly or slam on brakes, causing the tractor to fold and slide into the trailer. Rollovers and jackknifes frequently block multiple lanes and collide with nearby cars.
Damage to Roads, Bridges and Infrastructure
Overloaded semis inflict incredible damage on roads, slowly weakening bridges, causing cracks and potholes on highways, and breaking down infrastructure. When fatigued roads give way beneath standard traffic, serious crashes can occur. Deteriorating infrastructure only gets repaired after it fails and harms motorists.
Drowsy and Fatigued Driving from Overwork
To meet delivery deadlines despite reduced speeds, overloaded truckers often exceed legal driving limits and operate while dangerously exhausted. Fatigued big rig drivers are much more likely to make deadly errors like drifting out of lanes or dozing off behind the wheel. When an 80,000 pound drowsy driver crashes, the extensive damage and loss of life is devastating.
How Overloaded Semi Trucks Put Others at Risk
Sharing the road with an overloaded semi truck poses risks to every motorist. The potential perils include:
- Getting rear-ended by a semi that couldn’t slow down properly
- Violent crashes from truckers who lost control due to blown tires
- Head-on collisions as trucks swing wide and hit oncoming traffic
- Multi-car pile-ups when trucks jackknife or flip over
- Getting crushed by runaway trucks with no brakes down steep grades
- High-speed trucks losing cargo that penetrates your windshield
- Unsafe trucks causing infrastructure failures and hazardous road collapse
Overloaded semis are everyone’s problem. These preventable trucking practices claim hundreds of innocent lives annually.
Holding the Trucking Industry Accountable
Eliminating overloaded trucks requires accountability from:
- Trucking companies who pressure drivers to overload for profit
- Drivers who violate weight limits, falsify logs, and risk everyone’s safety
- Law enforcement agencies who fail to sufficiently police weight compliance
- Government regulators who don’t mandate and enforce stronger safeguards
Only through a coordinated effort can we purge dangerously overloaded trucks from the highways. Lives are on the line. The trucking industry must make safety a priority, not overfilling trucks to increase revenue.
Call For a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered serious injury in an Atlanta accident, the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Humprey & Ballard Law can help. Our experienced legal team has been fighting for injured victims in Atlanta for over 20 years – and we know how to maximize compensation for your injuries and losses.
Don’t wait to call us at 404-446-9854 for a free, no-obligation consultation on your case. At Humprey & Ballard Law, we handle all types of personal injury claims, including:
With convenient offices in Lenox Center Tower, we make it simple to meet our attorneys face-to-face. We’ll review the details of your case at no cost, advise if you have grounds to pursue a claim, and discuss your legal options moving forward.
At Humprey & Ballard Law, every client matters. Our No Fee Guarantee means we only get paid if we win money for you. We won’t rest until you receive maximum compensation. All it takes is one call to 404-446-9854 to get started. You can also visit us online at https://hbinjurylawyers.com/Contact/ to request your free case evaluation today.
Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. The dedicated Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Humprey & Ballard Law will fight for you. Call 404-446-9854 now to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve after your accident in Georgia.
FAQs
Q: What are some examples of truck weight limit laws in the US?
A: The Federal Bridge Gross Weight Formula sets maximum weights for semi trucks on interstates, usually 80,000 – 105,500 lbs depending on the truck. States can set lower limits on state/local roads. Exceeding these is illegal.
Q: How can an overloaded semi truck lead to tire and brake failure?
A: Excess weight strains components like tires and brakes. Overloaded trucks can cause tires to overheat/blow out and brakes to overheat and lose stopping power, often leading to catastrophic accidents.
Q: Why is it difficult for overloaded trucks to stop quickly or turn safely?
A: The heavier the truck, the more momentum it has, making it much harder to brake and decelerate. Extra weight also limits a semi’s ability to turn and react quickly to avoid dangerous situations on the road.
