Tractor-trailers are designed to carry tons upon tons of cargo safely and securely across long distances, so what qualifies as “overweight” for a vehicle like this is very different from what would be too much weight for a typical passenger car to bear. That said, there are specific weight limits for commercial trucks established by manufacturer guidelines as well as both state and federal laws, and trucking companies that violate those guidelines and put their own employees and everyone else on the road with them in harm’s way.
Because of how severe the consequences of overloaded and overweight truck accidents in Tolleson can be, these kinds of wrecks can often serve as valid grounds for civil litigation. However, claims of this nature tend to be much more complex in practice than many injured people initially expect, so seeking the help of a skilled truck accident lawyer from Phillips Law Group should be your top priority if you are looking to sue over this type of incident.
When Is a Truck Considered Overweight?
Under federal law, a truck traveling on interstate highways can have a maximum total weight of 80,000 pounds across the cab, trailer, and cargo combined, and Arizona state law imposes identical restrictions on trucks traveling in-state until the truck’s driver applies for and receives a special permit. So, if a truck driver gets into a wreck while carrying enough cargo to put their truck over that weight limit, they and their employer will very likely be considered at fault for crash-related losses because they were driving an illegal and inherently unsafe vehicle.
While not as strictly enforced in legal terms, individual models of tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles also have specific maximum weight limits recommended by their manufacturers based on how they are designed and what components they are made of. A trucking company that is technically staying within the boundaries of federal law but is still dangerously overloading a specific truck in their fleet may still be considered liable for an ensuing crash in Tolleson involving that vehicle.
Building a Strong Case Against a Negligent Trucking Company
Unfortunately, a lot of trucking companies that put overweight trucks out on public Arizona roads are fully aware that what they are doing is irresponsible at best and often against the law as well. Because of that, they may not shy away from breaking the law again by altering manifests, destroying driver logs, and tampering with evidence in other ways in an attempt to hide their misconduct and avoid civil liability for a wreck.
Determining whether documentation about a truck’s cargo has been mishandled is one of many things a seasoned legal professional can provide irreplaceable assistance with after a Tolleson overweight truck accident. Legal counsel can also help collect and preserve evidence needed to establish the existence and value of specific losses stemming from this sort of wreck, such as medical records, pay stubs from work, and testimony from family and friends to demonstrate lost enjoyment of life.
Get Help From a Tolleson Attorney With an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accident Claim
Getting into a collision with an empty semi-truck can lead to debilitating and deadly injuries all on its own, and the heavier that truck is, the more likely a wreck is to have life-altering consequences. Despite that, some truck drivers and trucking companies intentionally overload their trucks in an attempt to save time and money on routes—and if that misconduct leads to someone else suffering a serious injury, they can be held civilly liable for every form of harm that injury results in.
You have support available from knowledgeable and compassionate legal professionals with filing suit over an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Tolleson. Call today to learn more about your options from a member of the Phillips Law Group team.
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