Can I Sue the Cargo Company for an Overloaded Truck Accident? - Joseph Gates

From Gates Law Firm, PLLC – Can I Sue the Cargo Company for an Overloaded Truck Accident? offers an in-depth look at liability in overloaded truck collisions — especially under Arkansas law. In this episode, we dig into how overloading transforms a perfectly legal commercial vehicle into a looming threat on the road, and explore whether cargo handlers, shippers, and trucking firms can be held accountable.

We begin by unpacking why overloaded trucks are so dangerous, discussing compromised braking systems, tire blowouts, loss of stability, and how mismatched weight distributions can turn a routine haul into a catastrophic accident. Then we turn to the regulatory side: Arkansas’s weight regulations, the federal bridge formula, and how dual jurisdiction between federal and state authorities applies to these cases.

Next, we tackle the question of legal responsibility. Who can you sue when an overloaded truck causes harm? We review the principle of shared fault and how liability can extend beyond the driver to include cargo companies, shippers, trucking firms, and even vehicle owners. We also break down the key kinds of evidence — from bills of lading and weight tickets to black box data, driver logs, and inspection records — and explain how a carefully timed spoliation notice is critical to preserving that evidence.

Finally, we walk through how to recover compensation under Arkansas law. We review economic and non-economic damages, punitive awards, and Arkansas’s modified comparative fault rules. Throughout, we emphasize how early investigation, strategic evidence collection, and smart legal strategy can make the difference in complex overloaded truck claims.

Gates Law Firm PLLC

2725 Cantrell Rd # 105, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States

(501) 779-8091

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