Truck Cargo Weight

Without a permit, the gross weight of a tractor-trailer combination cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. Federal, Michigan and local regulations govern the weight of commercial trucks, addressing the gross commercial weight, combination weight, axle weight and tire load.

Truck accidents due to excessive cargo weight are usually, by their very nature, more serious personal injury or fatality cases.

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.

The problem with overloading a truck is that it can affect the truck steering and braking, leading to potentially catastrophic truck accidents. An overloaded truck also takes longer to stop. Plus, the truck will go slower on upgrades and faster on downgrades. When brakes are forced to work too hard, they can fail and again, result in serious truck accidents.

Truck Accident Lawyers Must Be Familiar with Truck Weight Regulations

Attorneys handling Michigan truck accidents where weight regulations are an issue should consider contacting the Michigan Department of Transportation in Lansing, to see what certificates were filed with the state prior to the crash.

Cargo weight cases can be very difficult for lawyers to prove. That€™s why truck accident attorneys in Michigan must take aggressive steps during legal discovery as close to the truck crash as possible, in order to secure proof that the truck was overweight or that the load was distributed in a negligent manner. Because such accident cases often cause greater injuries due to sheer physics, they are often the subject of litigation. To protect your legal rights following a trucking accident that has resulted in personal injuries or death, it€™s best to consult a lawyer experienced in truck accident cases resulting from excessive truck and cargo weight.

To request a free, no obligation case evaluation with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys, please fill out our contact form and we will respond to your inquiry within one business day. Or to speak to an attorney immediately, please call (800) 777-0028.