Dangers of an Overloaded or Overweight Truck
Nashville Truck Accident Attorney on Violations of Semi Weight Restrictions
Semi trucks, 18 wheelers and tractor trailers can present a great danger to everyone on Tennessee roads and highways. Due to their sheer size, trucking companies and their drivers must follow all trucking regulations to help minimize accident and injury risks to the public. However, when these regulations and other trucking laws are violated, our law firm has seen how an overweight truck can cause devastating injuries and death to those in nearby vehicles.
Immediately after an overweight or overloaded truck accident, and after receiving any necessary medical attention, truck accident victims need to contact an attorney. The truck company will already be sending its legal representation and insurance agents to the scene of the accident. Victims must act quickly to have their own attorney to ensure all evidence is preserved.
Nashville truck accident attorney Stanley A. Davis has been handling these cases for over 15 years, and he knows exactly what to do to demand evidence be saved and begin an investigation into the causes of the accident to uphold your legal rights.
What are the Laws About Overweight Trucks?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, imposes rules and regulations for the trucking industry. Commercial trucks cannot carry loads exceeding 80,000 pounds. However, truck companies and truckers may push these limits or violate loading truck safety rules to cut costs and avoid having to drive a second truck to make a delivery.
When a truck is overweight, braking is more difficult, the risk of rollover increases and tire blowouts are more common. Truck accidents caused by overweight or overloaded cargo are preventable and should never occur. The weight limit trucking laws are in place for a reason: overweight trucks tipping over or otherwise causing collisions to present a real danger to all motorists on the road.
What to Do If You Have Been Hit by an Overweight Truck
After a truck crash, make sure emergency services are called and medical attention is given to anyone in need. As soon as you are able, contact a local truck accident attorney. If you are unable to do so yourself, have a close relative or friend call a lawyer on your behalf.
The truck company and its insurance carrier will be on the scene of the accident right away. It is important to have your own attorney who can demand all evidence be preserved and conduct an independent investigation.
Possible evidence you may need to preserve in a truck accidents includes the:
- Semi truck itself
- Tires
- Skid marks on the road
- Log books
- Electronic databases
- Tractor-trailer cargo
Without an attorney contacting the truck company to make this legal demand, essential evidence may be destroyed or go missing.
Your truck accident attorney will have an independent investigator to examine the scene, help reconstruct the accident and determine fault. This includes, but is not limited to, investigating the weight of the truck at the time of impact and whether this was a cause or contributing factor in the truck accident.
Nashville Truck Accident Attorney Representing Residents and Out-of-State Visitors
If you or someone you care about has been in a Nashville truck accident or any accident throughout Tennessee, call our office at (615) 866-3938 today to schedule a free consultation. Nashville truck accident attorney Stan Davis represents residents of Tennessee, including clients hurt in or from Goodlettsville, Madison and Mursfreesboro, as well as out-of-state visitors injured while traveling.
We take most injury cases on a contingency basis, which means you only pay attorney fees if you receive a settlement or verdict for your case. You do not need any money up front for us to investigate your truck accident.
Find out the truth of what happened and get the money you deserve for any hospital bills, property damage, lost wages or other damages the truck accident has caused. Call us now.
Your Success Is Our Success
Real Injuries. Real Recoveries.
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$182,000 Settlement Shoulder Injury
The Plaintiff was rear-ended in a minor property damage crash and had initial treatment for approximately one month. Although the Plaintiff continued to experience problems, he did not elect to undergo surgical treatment until approximately three years following the crash for a tear in his shoulder.
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$1.0 Million Settlement Drunk Driving Accident
A middle-aged female was rear-ended by a drunk driver in an automobile crash on a rural road in Rutherford County, Tennessee, and suffered aggravation of preexisting spinal conditions.
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$170,000 Settlement Truck Accident
This truck accident occurred when another truck driver hit a parked trucker who was sleeping in his sleeper cab. The trucker incurred injuries that required extensive pain management and physical therapy.
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$193,500 Verdict Soft-Tissue Injuries
Our Nashville car accident attorney gained a jury verdict for a soft tissue injury sustained in a car accident. This case included close to $20,000.00 in medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and lost wages.
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$1.5 Million Verdict Failure to Yield
The victim was injured when the defendant failed to yield the right of way, causing him to suffer a ruptured disc in his lower back. Nashville auto accident attorney Stanley A. Davis prosecuted the claim and obtained this verdict for the victim.
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$450,000 Settlement Tractor-Trailer Accident
An over-the-road truck driver sustained injuries when another tractor-trailer driver hit his vehicle in a parking lot. The injured victim required a discectomy. The defendant, through their insurance carrier, attempted to diminish the accident damages.