Overweight and Overloaded Trucks

Truck Accidents Involving Overweight and Overloaded Trucks

Any accident on a highway can cause injuries and fatalities. However, when an accident involves a big rig, its sheer size and weight can destroy a sedan. Many regulations determine the weight of a commercial motor vehicle, but if drivers and trucking companies fail to follow the regulations, then the likelihood of an accident increases.

For many years, truck accident attorney Brian Steed Tatum has helped injured motorists and their families deal with the devastating consequences of trucking accidents.

Truck accidents happen for many reasons—overweight and overloaded trucks—for which the devastation is higher because of the added risk associated with these vehicles.

The Tatum Law Firm has experience in working with each client to ensure that injured motorists and their families receive the fullest compensation allowed by the law.

Overweight and Overloaded Trucks

Commercial motor vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds without a permit. If a permit is issued, then a semi-truck can weigh 90,000 pounds or more, in some instances. Overloaded and overweight trucks make the roads more dangerous for all drivers: brake failures, mechanical malfunctions, blowouts, or road damage.

Before each cargo load is loaded, the truck’s brakes must be inspected and maintained. Adding weight to a truck that is already over legal limits strains the brakes, overheats them, wears them out more quickly, and eventually results in failure. Brakes determine a truck’s stopping ability and brake failure puts all motorists on the road in danger.

The heavier the truck, the greater the difficulties to accelerate, decelerate, and maneuver. The extra force needed to move an overloaded truck increases the likelihood of accidents.

Overloaded trucks affect the tires, as well. Tires must be checked and maintained to ensure safety. An overweight truck wears out the tires more quickly than when the truck is properly loaded. If an overloaded truck makes a long journey and the tires wear out quickly, then the chances of a blowout are greatly increased.

Overloaded trucks wear the roads out more quickly by causing ruts, potholes, cracks, and other irregularities. These can be dangerous to cars and motorcycles, especially in inclement weather conditions when the road hazards may not be seen easily.

Severe and fatal accidents can result from truck accidents caused by drivers or a trucking company violating state and federal laws.

North Carolina and South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney

Since overloaded or overweight trucks cause many different kinds of accidents, it is often difficult to determine who should be held responsible. If you or a loved one were involved in a trucking accident, determining the underlying cause of the accident might be difficult.

The Tatum Law Firm has years of experience with truck accident cases. Our knowledgeable and experienced truck accident attorney, Brian Steed Tatum, will ensure that your case receives the time and attention it needs in order for you to receive all the compensation you deserve. For a free case evaluation, please contact us online or at our office at (704) 307-4350, and we will be happy to work with you.