A fully loaded tractor-trailer can legally weigh 80,000 pounds – that’s 20 times the weight of the average passenger vehicle. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) sets that weight limit of 40 tons to reduce wear-and-tear on roads and bridges, and to help keep other drivers safe.
But to increase their profits, many trucking companies overload their tractor-trailers. In fact, the DOT estimates that one out of every three big rigs is overloaded. Overloading semi-trucks is not only bad for roads and bridges; it also heightens the risk to others on those roads.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an accident with a tractor-trailer, there’s a significant chance that overloading contributed to the collision. If you suspect this is the case, you need to speak to an experienced Virginia truck crash attorney.
Our legal team at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys is dedicated to serving our community by getting injury victims the compensation they deserve. We know the devastation a tractor-trailer accident can cause, and we will put our extensive experience behind your case. Call us for a free consultation at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777.
We already know that overloading trucks is hard on road surfaces, causing them to crack and crumble and creating potholes.
Overloading, or improperly loading, a tractor-trailer can also:
Any way you look at it, overloading a big rig is illegal and dangerous.
Because of their massive size and weight, semi-trucks are inherently dangerous. Because of this, trucking companies often carry multi-million dollar insurance policies.
When you file a claim against a big rig driver or trucking company, you won’t be dealing with the trucking company directly. You’ll be dealing with their insurance company and its lawyers. Their job is to delay and deny claims or minimize the amount of compensation they pay out, and they are very good at what they do.
Recent Case Results
Trucking Crash
$1,000,000
Compensation for the family of a driver who was killed in a tractor-trailer truck crash.
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$725,000
Sexual Abuse
$1,000,000
Motorcycle Accident
$300,000
Compensation for a motorcyclist who suffered a fractured pelvis and femur when a driver failed to yield.
When Insurance Companies Won't Listen, These Lawyers Make Them
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I was rear-ended by someone who didn’t see me slowing for traffic in front of her because she had a dog in her car and she was handling her dog instead of watching the road. She was cited and pre-paid her ticket (was undeniably at-fault for the accident). I was slammed so hard my car was slammed into the car in….
Jacki P
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John Singleton used to work for large insurance companies, while Ken Gibson was prosecuting criminals in federal courts. We at GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys know how insurance companies operate, and we’re not afraid to take a case to trial if it’s in your best interests. We will stand up for you and your family, and see that you get a settlement or verdict worthy of your losses.
As former U.S. Marines, we understand the meaning of service and commitment, and we bring the fighting spirit we learned in the Corps to every case we take. Call our experienced, caring Virginia overloaded truck accident lawyers for a free case evaluation today at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777.