A semi-truck with a trailer is already a threat on South Carolina roads because of how big and heavy it is compared to passenger cars. The danger only increases when a truck is overloaded. The extra weight means it’s harder to control, more prone to rolling over, and there’s more strain on the truck’s brakes, tires, and other components. It is no wonder that crashes involving overweight trucks frequently cause catastrophic, life-altering injuries.
The overloaded truck accident lawyers at Jebaily Law Firm want to help you seek fair compensation for your injuries after a crash. We know the trucking industry inside and out, and what evidence to look for to prove the vehicle was overweight. Whether through a settlement or civil trial, we’ll fight fiercely on your behalf to hold those responsible for your injuries accountable. You won’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation for yourself.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free case evaluation and information about your legal rights after an overloaded commercial motor vehicle crash.
How Jebaily Law Firm Can Help if You Were Injured in an Overloaded Truck Accident
Jebaily Law Firm has the resources, experience, and drive to seek maximum compensation for you after an overloaded truck crash in Florence. We’ve represented injured people in South Carolina for over 50 years and recovered millions of dollars for our clients. While past results do not indicate what your result will be, they do demonstrate our law firm’s experience with personal injury cases.
We’re also proud of our many positive client reviews and our impact on our community.
We would be honored to represent you and defend your rights after an overweight truck crash in Florence. Some ways we can help with your personal injury claim include:
- Investigating the crash to identify how it happened and who’s responsible
- Collecting your medical records and other evidence to document your physical, emotional, and financial harm
- Filing your claim within South Carolina’s legal deadline preserves your right to pursue compensation
- Negotiating for a fair settlement with the liable parties and their insurers
- Taking your case to trial if a fair settlement isn’t possible
What Happens When an Overloaded Truck Is on the Road?
A semi-truck becomes much harder to control when it’s overloaded. The extra weight strains the truck’s brakes, tires, and suspension system. That means it takes longer for the truck to slow down or come to a complete stop, especially in emergencies. Furthermore, the truck’s steering becomes less responsive, making turns more dangerous, particularly on curves or downhill slopes.
Overloaded trucks are also more likely to roll over or jackknife. If the cargo isn’t properly secured, it can shift while the truck is moving, throwing off the truck’s balance and increasing the risk of a crash. Even a minor steering correction or bump in the road can cause a loss of control in these situations.
In some cases, the added weight can cause tire blowouts or brake failure, making the truck a deadly hazard for nearby drivers. These dangers can lead to rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle pileups, or trucks running off the road entirely.
Even if a crash is not directly caused by the truck’s excessive load, the increased weight can still make the injuries in any collision worse because the mass of an overweight truck imparts more force on the passenger car.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to After an Overloaded Truck Accident
The amount you can recover for an overloaded truck accident depends on factors specific to your situation, such as your medical bills, how your injuries affect your ability to work, and any long-term emotional effects you experience.
The key to seeking maximum compensation is to hire an experienced overloaded truck accident attorney. With backing from the right legal team, your overweight truck accident claim could include compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses to treat your serious injuries
- Lost income and reduced future earnings
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- The cost to repair or replace your car and other damaged property
- Wrongful death benefits for surviving family members after a fatal crash
Proving Negligence in an Overloaded Truck Accident Case
To recover compensation after a crash with an overloaded truck, you must show that the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or someone else acted carelessly and caused the collision. Some evidence your overloaded truck accident lawyer might use to prove negligence includes:
- Weigh station records – Documentation from roadside inspections may show that the truck exceeded state and federal regulations.
- Driver logs and trip reports – Records of the truck’s cargo, travel route, and delivery timeline that may reveal that it carried excessive weight.
- Cargo manifests and bills of lading – Shipping paperwork that lists what the truck was carrying and how much it weighed can demonstrate that the trucking company, cargo shippers, or someone else broke weight regulations.
- Expert testimony – Accident reconstruction specialists, truck safety experts, or mechanical engineers can offer technical insights into weight limits and how excess weight affects a truck’s handling.
- Witness statements – Testimony from other drivers, workers, or bystanders who saw the truck or its loading process can provide a neutral perspective, showing that the truck had too much cargo.
- Trucking company policies – Internal guidelines may show poor training, rushed schedules, or pressure to overload vehicles.
Legal Weight and Size Limits for Trucks in Florence, South Carolina
Commercial trucks in South Carolina must comply with federal and state weight restrictions. Some key federal regulations to know include:
- The maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 pounds on interstate highways.
- The axle weight limits are 20,000 pounds per single axle and 34,000 pounds per tandem axle.
- States may issue permits for overweight trucks carrying non-divisible loads in specific situations.
Some South Carolina regulations affecting truck drivers operating on the state’s highways include:
- The maximum gross vehicle weight for combination vehicles is 55,000 pounds for vehicles with three axles, 70,000 pounds for four axles, 90,000 pounds for five axles, 110,000 pounds for six axles, and 130,000 pounds for seven axles.
- The axle weight limit is 20,000 pounds per single axle, 40,000 pounds per tandem axle, and 60,000 pounds per tridem or quad axle, with trucks that exceed this weight limit subjected to an engineering review.
- Loads exceeding these limits require a state-issued oversize/overweight (OSOW) permit.
Types of Injuries Caused by Overloaded and Overweight Truck Accidents
The massive size and weight of overloaded tractor-trailers and other trucks make them much more likely to inflict catastrophic injuries in a crash, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severed or crushed limbs
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Injuries to internal organs
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- PTSD and other mental health conditions
Injured by an Overloaded Truck in Florence? Get a Free Case Evaluation Today
Don’t lose your opportunity to pursue the financial recovery you need after an overloaded truck crash in Florence. Call Jebaily Law Firm now or complete our contact form to get started with a free consultation.
