Even when they are empty, commercial trucks are much heavier than passenger cars and most other vehicles on the roads, and when fully loaded, the difference becomes even greater. If a truck’s freight is unbalanced or too heavy, the truck is more at risk of causing an accident. When heavy commercial trucks strike cars, the resulting damage can be catastrophic.
If you or your loved one was in a car struck by a truck, then you understand how overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Marion can alter your life. Pursuing a personal injury claim for money damages with the assistance of Whetstone Perkins & Fulda could help you put the pieces of your life back together.
Background Behind Weight Limits on Trucks
The federal and state governments have enacted regulations restricting how much weight commercial trucks can carry. The cargo weight capacity of a truck depends on the number of axles it has. The maximum weight capacity for any semi-truck is approximately 80,000 pounds. Weight limitations exist to help keep people on the roads safe and to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the bridges and highways. If a truck driver learns that their vehicle is overweight at a weigh station, they should attempt to make it lighter by removing some excess cargo.
Unfortunately, some truck and cargo companies try to save on shipping expenses by overloading their trucks to increase their profits by delivering more products sooner. In addition, some truck drivers might try to earn more money by carrying more cargo. If truckers and their employers do not pay close attention to the weight capacity and proper distribution of their cargo, the trucks can become imbalanced and prone to accidents.
If a truck causes a problem because it exceeded state or federal weight restrictions, Whetstone Perkins & Fulda could help you use that violation as evidence of the truck driver and trucking company’s breach of the standard of care.
Problems Resulting From Overloaded Commercial Vehicles
Too much weight on a truck can interfere with a truck driver’s ability to safely operate the vehicle. Overweight trucks do not perform in the same way as trucks that have appropriate cargo on board. An overloaded truck could be harder to control. A trucker might not be able to steer or brake as needed. When overweight trucks go downhill, they might gain speed more quickly, which could result in rear-end collisions and jackknifing accidents. When there is too much cargo in a truck’s trailer, the company in charge of loading the vehicle might not be able to properly secure it in place to make sure it does not move. Improperly distributed freight could shift when the truck moves, which could put pressure on part of the truck and affect the vehicle’s balance. Unbalanced cargo could cause a truck to roll over when it turns.
Our seasoned truck accident attorneys in Marion understand the damage that an overloaded truck can cause. They could work closely to get you fair compensation.
Speak With a Marion Attorney After an Overloaded/Overweight Trucking Crash
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Marion are especially unfortunate because they can usually be prevented. If trucking companies and their drivers pay attention to the federal and state weight limitations on their vehicles, rollovers and other accidents resulting from overly heavy trucks could be avoided.
Speak with a dedicated local lawyer from Whetstone Perkins & Fulda today to learn what steps you can take to pursue damages after your accident.
