800-777-0028

Truck Cargo Weight

Without a permit, the gross weight of a truck vehicle combination cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. Federal, state, and local regulations govern the weight of commercial vehicles. They address the gross commercial vehicle weight, gross combination weight, the axle weight, and tire load. Attorneys handling truck accidents where weight and regulations become important should consider contacting the Michigan Department of Transportation in Lansing, Michigan, to see what certificates were filed with the State of Michigan before the truck accident.

Cargo weight must be balanced properly so that one axle or a set of axles are not overloaded. Generally, a five axle combination vehicle can carry a gross weight of 12,000 pounds on the steering axle, with the drive axles maintaining 34,000 pounds and the trailer axles carrying 34,000 pounds in gross weight.

Truck accidents due to excessive cargo weight are usually by their very nature more severe injury accidents or truck fatality cases. The problem with overloading a truck is that it can affect the truck steering and braking leading to potentially fatal truck accidents. An overloaded truck also takes longer to stop. Plus the truck will go slower on upgrades and faster on downgrades. And when brakes are forced to work too hard, they can fail and again result in a serious injury Michigan semi truck accident.

Cargo weight cases are some of the harder cases to prove. Personal injury attorneys in Michigan must take aggressive steps in legal discovery as soon after the truck accident as possible to secure the proof that a truck was overweight or that the load was distributed in a negligent manner. These are also some of the most tragic accident cases, and the consequences of such Michigan trucking accidents are often the subject of litigation. To protect your legal rights following a Michigan trucking accident resulting in injuries, it is generally wise to consult a Michigan truck accident attorney who is experienced in such matters.

An experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer can help personal injury victims of Michigan truck accidents with information regarding the practical and legal aspects of Michigan personal injury law.

Contact Lawrence E. Gursten or Steven M. Gursten 1-800-777-0028

AV Peer Review Rated

Michigan Auto Law is an AV RATED law firm, the highest possible rating for legal ability and ethics. Very few lawyers and law firms in Michigan have been selected with this top rating.

American Association for Justice

Steve Gursten is Chair for the 2008 Interstate Truck Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice (AAJ). Michigan Auto Law has been a long standing member and contributor to the American Association for Justice (AAJ), formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA).

Michigan Super Lawyer

Top 5% of Attorneys in Michigan

Michigan Super Lawyer features only the Top 5% of attorneys in Michigan.

3 Michigan Auto Law attorneys
have been featured as

Michigan Super Lawyer:
Lawrence E. Gursten - 2007, 2006
Leonard M. Koltonow - 2007
David E. Christensen - 2007

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers

Only 5% of Law Firms in the U.S. Qualify

Only 5% of all U.S. law firms qualify to be included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, making Michigan Auto Law one of the most distinguished and respected in the country.

Michigan Lawyer of the Year

Steven M. Gursten was selected as "Lawyer of the Year" for 2005, by Michigan Lawyers Weekly, the state's largest legal periodical. Steve was selected after winning a $9 million dollar pain and suffering settlement for one of his clients - the largest settlement for pain and suffering in Michigan in over ten years.

Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA)

Robert M. Raitt of Michigan Auto Law is President for the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) for 2008. The attorneys at Michigan Auto Law are well-respected members of the Michigan Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA), dedicated to helping Michigan families seek justice when they are injured by another person's negligence.