What Are Truck Weigh Stations and How Do They Protect You?

According to TRIP, Tennessee’s freight system moved 552 million tons of freight in 2022. In recent years, Tennessee has become an increasingly busy hub for commercial freight vehicles, and we are likely to see even more freight being moved across our state in the years ahead. While commercial trucks play an integral role in our state’s economy, the growing number of these vehicles on our local roadways also poses some significant safety risks.

Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, even seemingly minor collisions involving these vehicles can lead to catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage. To mitigate some of these risks, state and federal safety regulations place strict limits on the amount of freight the commercial trucks can carry. Truck weigh stations play an important role in enforcing these weight limits and – when used properly – ensuring the safety of Tennessee motorists.

What are weigh stations for?

Truck weigh stations basically function as designated checkpoints for commercial vehicle inspections. Tennessee operates several commercial vehicle scale complexes and inspection sites across the state, including along major interstate corridors.

Many commercial trucks meeting certain weight or classification thresholds are required to stop at weigh stations unless they qualify for an authorized bypass program or are otherwise exempt. When a truck pulls into the station, it will be weighed to ensure it does not exceed legal weight limits or otherwise violate safety regulations. Cargo may also be inspected at weigh stations to check for proper loading practices.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) outlines a number of additional inspection requirements that can be executed at weigh stations so officials can identify potential safety violations before they cause a crash. In practice, this means weigh stations serve an important purpose with respect to ensuring the safety of all motorists who may cross paths with a commercial vehicle on local roads.

Why are overloaded trucks so dangerous?

In 2023, there were 139 fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles reported in Tennessee. These crashes could likely be attributed to a variety of different causes – some unavoidable, others entirely preventable had the proper safety procedures been followed. Many people think of traffic accidents being caused primarily by negligent or reckless driving practices, but improper cargo loading can be just as dangerous, if not more so.

A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds under federal law. By comparison, your average SUV weighs around 4,000 pounds. Even under ideal circumstances, the weight difference between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle can lead to a catastrophic outcome in the event of a crash. If a truck is too heavy or was loaded improperly, the potential risks only grow.

Overloaded trucks are slower to respond in a crisis. If another car suddenly stops ahead of a truck or a roadway hazard appears in the semi’s path, the driver may slam on the brakes only to realize they can not slow down fast enough. This can lead to high-speed collisions, jackknife accidents, and rollover crashes – all of which are notorious for doing extensive damage to people and property.

What happens when trucks fail weigh station inspections?

If an inspection at a weigh station reveals safety issues like overloading, the driver may receive a fine or face other penalties. Serious issues like brake damage, tire defects, and overloaded cargo cannot be ignored and may lead to a truck being placed out of service because they may pose an immediate threat to the safety of others.

These issues are more than just on-paper violations. They are actual safety hazards that can put the health and safety of other people in serious jeopardy. Even though regular inspections can feel like an inconvenience for truckers, these protocols are vital to keeping Tennesseans safe.

Some drivers of commercial vehicles are required to stop at weigh stations as they encounter them. This rule does not automatically apply to every commercial truck, though. For example, some carriers qualify for programs that allow their drivers to bypass weigh stations based on their compliance and safety records. If a driver is required by law to stop at a weigh station, however, they can face significant penalties for failing to do so.

How safety violations can impact truck accident claims

Some accidents are unavoidable and not easily blamed on one person or another. Others can be traced back to a particular party’s negligence. If you can show that someone else involved in your accident owed you a legal duty of care and caused you harm by breaching that duty, you may be able to pursue a claim against them.

Federal safety regulations can constitute such a legal duty of care, so safety violations may function as evidence of negligence in some cases. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you request access to evidence like inspection reports that support claims of negligence so you can connect the dots between safety violations, an accident, and any resulting injuries.

Who can be held liable for a truck accident?

Truck accident cases are not always as simple as blaming the person behind the wheel. In some crashes, the real issue started long before the truck ever got on the road. Since Tennessee follows a modified comparative negligence system, it is possible for multiple parties to share responsibility for an accident and its resulting damages. In a truck accident case, you will want to look at the actions of:

The driver

When drivers bypass required weigh-ins or intentionally ignore known safety violations, they may be held liable if their actions lead to an accident.

The trucking company

Motor carriers typically have a fair amount of oversight over their fleets and employees. If a trucking company failed to address known safety issues or encouraged its drivers to engage in unsafe practices, it could become the target of a truck accident claim.

Cargo loaders

Some companies outsource their cargo loading rather than handling it in-house. If an outside loading service overloads a truck or improperly distributes or secures the load, it could be held responsible should the improper loading contribute to a crash.

Maintenance providers and other third parties could also bear the burden of responsibility depending on the facts of the case. Truck accident lawyers can look into all potential sources of liability in a case to ensure their client is not overlooking any important details or neglecting any avenues for compensation.

Remember that you are technically only entitled to compensation in Tennessee if you were less than 50% responsible for your own injuries. Trucking companies and their insurers are aware of this stipulation, and they may attempt to downplay their own liability to protect their bottom lines. Your lawyer should be prepared to go head-to-head with these companies to ensure you receive any compensation to which you are entitled under the law.

Speak with a Nashville truck accident lawyer today

Compliance with federal and local safety regulations is a non-negotiable for truck drivers and their employers. As the amount of cargo transported across Tennessee continues to increase, it will only become more vital that these companies take their legal obligations seriously. When trucks are too heavy or their cargo is improperly loaded, everyone’s safety is left hanging in the balance.

At Rocky McElhaney Law Firm: Car Accident & Injury Lawyers, we help truck accident victims throughout Nashville investigate safety violations and pursue compensation after serious crashes. We understand how devastating truck accidents can be, and we are committed to helping survivors leverage every legal option they may have available to help them recover the compensation they need to move forward.

If you were injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, give us a call today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case consultation. We are standing by 24/7 to learn more about your case and to help you decide on the best next steps in your fight for compensation.