Fully loaded tractor-trailers can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and traveling at highway speeds, these huge vehicles can cause severe damage to any other car or passenger truck involved in an accident. Victims of these wrecks often suffer serious injuries that leave them facing long recoveries.
Despite these risks, some trucking companies prioritize profits over safety and overload their trucks. State and federal law strictly regulates how much weight a truck may carry and how much cargo a trailer may have per axle. Victims of overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Paramus may receive compensation for the harm they suffered due to a company’s intentional deception. At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, our experienced truck crash attorneys can help you file an accident claim and get the compensation you need. Contact us today to learn how we can support you.
How Can You Determine if a Truck Is Overweight?
State and federal regulations limit commercial tractor-trailers to 80,000 pounds gross weight, or 22,400 pounds per axle for single-axle trucks. Some roads may have lower weight limits for small delivery trucks. These regulations are based on the truck’s brakes and design, as well as the weight limit of the roads and bridges in New Jersey.
Weigh stations run by the New Jersey State Police assess trucks on the highway, but they cannot weigh every truck. Weights are also calculated by using virtual weigh stations that estimate the weight of trucks by totaling the weight shown on cargo manifests. When a truck in Paramus exceeds weight limits, the risk of an accident increases.
Why Are Overloaded Trucks Dangerous?
Additional weight on a large commercial vehicle may not seem significant, but it can affect the stopping distance of the truck. A semi requires more than 500 feet to stop on dry pavement, meaning an extra 10,000 pounds could be the difference between a safe stop and an accident. Other issues created by overweight trucks include:
- Greater risk of jackknifing or overturning, especially at high speeds
- Less control on wet or icy roads
- Difficulty braking, as brakes are calibrated to the truck’s maximum weight, so overweight trucks may burn out the brakes at higher speeds
- Loss of lower gears when going uphill, meaning trucks cannot slow down going downhill
Essentially, overloaded vehicles are more likely to cause a wreck in Paramus, even if the truck driver does everything else correctly. If you have been the victim of an overweight truck accident, a skilled attorney can help you gather evidence to prove the truck’s load was responsible.
Reach Out to Our Paramus Attorney After Your Overweight Truck Crash
Victims of overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Paramus need the legal experience that our attorneys at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC can provide. We can examine the driver’s log and electronic logging device to determine whether the driver checked in at all weigh stations. Our legal team will review the company’s records to see what the truck contained and whether the weight records were accurate.
We can also assist you by ensuring that your insurance claim is filed properly and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf to help you get the settlement you deserve. If necessary, we will take your case to trial to give you the best possible chance at recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
