Overloaded truck accident lawyers in Virginia

If an overloaded big rig caused your Virginia crash, we can help

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.

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What are the dangers of overloading a truck?

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:

• Raise the trailer’s center of gravity, making it more likely to jackknife or tip over
• Make the truck more difficult to maneuver
• Make it harder for the truck to brake at accelerated speeds
• Put added stress on truck components, such as its tires and the braking system
• Increase braking distance

Any way you look at it, overloading a big rig is illegal and dangerous.

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Why you need an experienced Virginia tractor-trailer attorney after an accident

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.

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What we bring to your Virginia truck accident case

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 attorneys for a free case evaluation today at (804) 413-6777 or toll-free at (855) 781-6777.

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Additional Information

• Cargo Securement Rules - FMCSA
• Virginia's Size, Weight, Equipment and Other Requirements for Truck - Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles