Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | October 7, 2025 | Truck Accidents
The sheer size of semi-trucks makes their presence on the highway intimidating. But have you ever wondered exactly how much one of these massive trucks weighs, and what that means in the event of a truck accident? Here’s a closer look.
How Much Does a Semi-Truck Weigh?
The weight of a semi-truck can vary depending on whether it’s fully loaded or not:
- An unloaded truck (with trailer) usually weighs about 35,000 pounds.
- A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
In rare cases, trucking companies can apply for oversize load permits for trucks over 80,000 pounds. Very heavy trucks can cause significant road damage, so even with an oversize permit, these vehicles are generally restricted to specific roadways.
For comparison, smaller passenger cars typically weigh around 2,500 pounds. Even large pickup trucks and SUVs usually don’t exceed 6,000 pounds.
Why Heavy Trucks Pose a Danger on the Road
With all else being equal, an accident with a semi-truck will be more serious than an accident with another passenger vehicle. Here are a few reasons why semi-trucks can pose a considerable risk to other drivers:
They Typically Require a Greater Stopping Distance
When semi-trucks are involved in accidents, they can cause major damage, largely due to their weight. Heavier vehicles take longer to slow and stop, so if traffic unexpectedly comes to a halt (or if the truck driver is speeding), a semi-truck could easily crash into the vehicle ahead of it.
Improperly Loaded Cargo Can Cause a Collision
If the cargo within a semi-truck is not properly secured or balanced, the driver can easily lose control of the vehicle and cause an accident. Unsecured cargo may suddenly shift to one side, causing the trailer to swing outward or tip. Rollover events can easily turn into multi-vehicle accidents with devastating consequences.
They May Be More Prone to Rollover Crashes
Taller vehicles tend to have higher centers of gravity, and that makes them more prone to tipping over. Truck drivers receive specialized training to help reduce their risk of being involved in accidents. However, mistakes can still happen. Overloaded cargo, speeding, and taking turns too quickly can all increase the risk of a rollover.
Truck Drivers Are Likely to Be Fatigued
Strict trucking industry regulations limit the hours that drivers can spend on the road. For example, federal hours-of-service regulations permit truckers to drive for no more than 11 consecutive hours after 10 hours of off-duty time.
However, some truckers may violate these regulations to meet deadlines, and unethical companies might pressure their drivers to ignore hours-of-service rules entirely. Doing so can greatly increase driver fatigue, increasing the likelihood of mishaps.
Larger Trucks Have Many Blind Spots
This factor has more to do with the dimensions of a semi-truck than the weight.
The dimensions of a semi-truck can make it difficult for the driver to see in certain areas surrounding their vehicle. There are usually blind spots immediately in front of the truck, immediately behind it, to the left of the driver’s side, and to the right. What’s more, the right-side blind spot generally stretches across two lanes of traffic.
Contact Our San Diego Truck Accident Lawyers at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Knowing the weight of a semi-truck can help you appreciate just how heavy these vehicles are compared to passenger cars. Armed with this knowledge, you might be motivated to drive more defensively around them and reduce your risk of being involved in a truck accident.
For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve San Diego County and its surrounding areas:
Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers – San Diego Office
835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
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