There was a time when if you ordered something from a catalog (Yes, a real printed catalog), you would be promised delivery in 4 to 6 weeks. Today, you’re often promised next-day delivery and, in some cases, same-day delivery.
That puts the pressure on trucking companies and their drivers to make those deliveries on time. It can also mean loading those trucks to the maximum limits.
Federal law limits the total gross vehicle weight to 80,000 pounds. That includes the truck, fuel, and cargo. The cargo alone can weigh as much as 48,000 pounds or 24 tons.
The heavier the cargo, the greater the risk of an accident.
When you get involved in an accident with a truck, shifting cargo could be a factor. In those scenarios, you might file a claim against the truck driver, the trucking company, and the cargo loading crew. This is the exact type of situation where a Gulfport truck accident can be of assistance. Your attorney can help identify who is liable and how to pursue a fair remedy.
The Physics of Overloaded Trucks and Increased Stopping Distance
Recently, a semi-truck hauling Kit Kat bars overturned on Interstate 20 in Brandon.
The result was 11,000 pounds of Kit Kat bars spilling across the highway. Fortunately, that accident only caused a temporary backup and required cleanup. In this case, the trailer carrying the candy disconnected from the cab and rolled over.
According to safety guidelines from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a properly loaded 80,000-pound semi-truck traveling at 55 mph requires about 300 feet to come to a complete stop. That is under ideal conditions. If the roads are slick from rain, the distance is even farther.
Excess cargo weight can also affect the driver’s ability to maintain control of their rig.
This is what can happen:
- An Elevated Center of Gravity: When excess cargo is stacked high, the center of gravity increases. That significantly raises the probability of the truck rolling over on sharp curves or during abrupt evasive maneuvers.
- Tire Blowouts: The heavier the weight, the more pressure is put on a truck’s tires. That can lead to rapid heat buildup, which increases the risk of dangerous tire blowouts.
- Mechanical Strain: The additional mass imposes severe stress on the truck’s engine, drivetrain, and steering axles. That, in turn, dramatically reduces the driver’s ability to safely maneuver the vehicle.
Federal and Mississippi State Weight Limits for Commercial Trucks
When cargo securement is a factor in an accident, determining the cargo’s weight will be crucial to your truck accident claim. If it can be established that the truck was carrying cargo over the legal limits, it can be a clear sign of negligence.
These are the federal and Mississippi state weight restrictions for commercial vehicles:
Federal & Interstate Limits
The federal government sets the absolute maximums for trucks operating on the Interstate Highway System. These are weight limits that Mississippi directly enforces:
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 80,000 lbs.
- Single Axle Limit: 20,000 lbs.
- Tandem Axle Limit: 34,000 lbs.
Mississippi State Highway Limits
For trucks operating on state and non-interstate highways, Mississippi adheres to the following specific rules:
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 80,000 lbs. generally. However, specific six-axle truck-semitrailer combinations can legally weigh up to 84,000 lbs.
- Tandem Axle Limit (Non-Interstate): Up to 36,000 lbs. is allowed, depending on axle spacing.
- Tridem Axle Limit: Up to 42,000 lbs. on non-interstate highways.
The state permits exceptions and allowances for certain commodities, such as agricultural products and logs, that can be carried on a tandem up to 40,000 lbs.
Evidence Needed to Prove an Overweight Truck Caused Your Crash
If you’re involved in an accident with a truck, there might be evidence at the scene that overloaded cargo played a role. Unlike an eyewitness’s testimony, proving the weight of a truck can be more challenging. Thankfully, an experienced attorney will know how to secure that evidence.
- Black Box and Electronic Data
- Shipping and Cargo Documents
- Weigh Station Records
- Maintenance Logs
- Accident Reconstruction Analysis
It is crucial to secure all of that evidence as soon as possible after a truck accident. Your attorney can help with that task to ensure nothing gets lost.
Identifying Liable Parties in Overloaded Truck Accident Claims
An accident with a truck is not as straightforward as a crash between two cars. Even though the truck driver was in control of the rig, other parties may have been liable. The attorneys at Owen, Owen & Smith, PLLC have extensive experience helping victims of truck accidents hold all liable parties accountable.
When we look into an accident, all options are on the table.
We’ll consider the trucking company that, under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, can be held vicariously liable for its employees’ negligent actions while on the job.
That liability extends to the cargo loader hired by that trucking company. If those crews packed the cargo poorly, distributed the weight unevenly, or provided the driver with inaccurate weight manifests, they could be held liable for an accident.
Our goal is to help our clients receive the maximum settlement amount to which they are entitled. We bring our decades of combined negotiating and litigating experience into every claim we support. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck, we should talk.
Call to set up a consultation today to get your questions answered.
