Georgia Overloaded Cargo Accident Lawyers

How Overloaded Cargo Causes Truck Accidents

Federal law limits commercial truck weight to 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, with specific limits per axle. When trucking companies overload vehicles to reduce the number of trips or cut costs, the consequences are dangerous: extended stopping distances that prevent the driver from avoiding hazards, increased tire blowout risk from excessive weight, higher center of gravity leading to rollovers on curves and exit ramps, accelerated brake wear and brake failure, and structural damage to the trailer and frame.

Improper cargo loading — even within weight limits — is equally dangerous. Cargo that shifts during transit can cause sudden weight transfer, jackknifing, or spillage onto the roadway. FMCSA regulations require specific securement methods based on cargo type, and violations create strong evidence of negligence.