Truck drivers and owners should do everything possible to minimize the risk of accidents. In particular, they should ensure that their commercial vehicles stay within the required weight limits because overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Summerlin can cause devastating harm.
If you believe an accident that harmed you or a loved one occurred because a commercial vehicle was overloaded, you might have grounds to pursue legal action. A knowledgeable 18-wheeler crash attorney at Shook & Stone could meet with you to discuss what happened and potential legal remedies.
Risks Posed by Overweight Trucks
Any time a truck crashes into another motor vehicle, serious injuries can occur due to the great size disparity between trucks and cars. Most injuries in trucking accidents occur to the occupants of struck passenger vehicles, while drivers of large commercial trucks often escape with no serious injuries.
Many semi-trucks carry more than 20 times the weight of a small sedan, so even if their drivers and operators adhere to the correct weight guidelines, a properly loaded truck can still cause immense damage in a crash. If a truck carries more than its intended weight capacity, the extra weight can add even more force to the impact of a collision. The added weight can also change a big rig’s center of gravity, making it more apt to roll over or jackknife. These types of accidents can impact several lanes of traffic on a highway, leading to a pile-up involving multiple vehicles. Excess cargo can also fall or spill out of an overloaded truck, leaving debris on the road, which could pose a risk to other vehicles. Trucks that exceed their expected weight loads are also harder to control. Drivers of overloaded trucks might find it takes far longer than expected to come to a full stop. Turning and merging can also become more dangerous due to steering and handling difficulties.
After an accident with an overweight truck, our Summerlin attorneys could help you fight for fair compensation for your injuries.
Who Is Liable for an Overloaded Tractor-Trailer Crash?
More than one party could be liable if an overweight truck caused your accident, including the:
Truck Driver
Truck drivers have a duty to load their cargo correctly. As part of that duty, they are supposed to adhere to strict weight requirements set by the federal and state governments. Truck drivers should regularly stop at weigh stations along their route to check that their weight is in compliance.
Loading Company
If a trucker or trucking company hires a separate company to load their cargo, that loading company could be liable for improperly securing freight or putting excess cargo on the truck.
Trucking Company
As an employer, the trucking company could be liable for the negligent actions of its employees. The company could also be liable if it pressured its drivers to overload their trucks in clear violation of regulations.
Our dedicated Summerlin overloaded/overweight truck crash attorneys could investigate the accident, paying particular attention to the driver’s log and the trucking company’s manuals. They could also speak with other people who work for the trucking company to learn more about their policies. If the trucker, loading company, or trucking company knowingly operated a truck that was in violation of legal limits, they could be liable for any resulting injuries.
Call a Summerlin Lawyer After an Overloaded or Overweight Truck Accident
Because trucks are always significantly heavier than other vehicles, they already pose a danger to other people on the roads. When they are overloaded, the risk of harm increases significantly. Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Summerlin, Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, and Sun City should never happen. The federal and state governments have enacted regulations to prevent overweight trucks from traveling on roads.
If you or a loved one experienced harm due to an 18-wheeler that was too heavy, you deserve help. Experienced legal professionals from Shook & Stone could fight for you. Call today for a free consultation.
