Thousands of semi trucks barrel down our roads and highways every day. And every year, about 150 Travis County citizens are injured or killed in crashes with these vehicles. Unfortunately, because of their immense weight, injuries sustained in semi-truck accidents tend to be even more devastating than usual.
So how much do semi trucks actually weigh? Read on to learn more about what makes up the weight of these vehicles and how much they can weigh in the state of Texas.
The Tractor
When we start talking about how much semi trucks weigh, it’s best to break this weight down into three categories: the tractor, the trailer, and the load. A semi truck tractor is the front portion of the vehicle. This includes the engine, the cab where the driver sits, and the platform the trailer hitches onto.
Although tractors make up a relatively small portion of the semi truck’s total length, they account for a significant portion of the weight. A tractor alone can weigh up to 25,000 pounds. For context, that’s about six times the weight of an average car.
The Trailer
The trailer on a semi truck is the cargo container that hooks onto the back of the tractor. Most standard trailers are 53 feet long, and even empty, they can account for a significant portion of the truck’s weight. An empty trailer weighs about 10,000 pounds – alone, more than double the weight of a normal car.
Some semi trucks may be hauling empty trailers, particularly if they’re returning the trailer to its original destination or doing a quick hop between loading sites. But an empty truck can still weigh about 35,000 pounds.
The Load
It will come as no surprise that the single biggest portion of a semi truck’s weight comes from the load. Of course, how much a load weighs will depend on a wide variety of factors. Liquid cargo will often weigh more than solid cargo, and a trailer may not be loaded to full capacity, depending on the shipper’s needs.
Total Weight
Texas has certain regulations in place limiting how much loaded semi trucks can weigh. Trucks that are too heavy can start to damage the roads they drive down and may even collapse bridges or other such structures. In Texas, a fully loaded truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds total.
Of course, a collision with a forty-ton vehicle is going to be incredibly devastating. These trucks will take longer to stop due to their immense weight, and injuries from these accidents tend to be much more severe.
Get Help After a Truck Accident
Semi trucks in Texas can weigh up to twenty times what a normal car does. Accidents with them can cause terrible injuries, and getting fair compensation may mean going up against both the insurance giants and the trucking company.
If you’ve been hurt in a semi truck accident, the attorneys at FVF Law can help you get the compensation you deserve. We’ll help you take on the insurance and trucking companies to get every penny you’re owed. Schedule a free consultation with us today to discuss your case.
Contact Our Truck Accident Law Firm in Austin, TX
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Austin and need legal help, contact our Austin truck accident lawyers at FVF Law to schedule a free consultation with our team.
FVF Law
3101 Bee Caves Rd #301, Austin, TX 78746, United States
(512) 982-9328
