Commercial trucks are typically the largest vehicles on the road, and regulations are in place to ensure drivers handle them responsibly. However, because of pressure to meet delivery quotas or negligence, trucking companies and drivers may overload their vehicles with cargo. These overweight vehicles pose an even greater risk to other motorists, pedestrians, and infrastructure.
When overloaded trucks are involved in an accident, different parties may be held liable for injuries and related damages through a civil injury claim. A seasoned truck wreck attorney could help assess the nature of a collision and guide you through the legal process. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about your legal options after overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Iberville Parish and Plaquemine.
Federal Regulations for Truck Weight
Both federal and state-level laws regulate the maximum weight a truck can carry on its routes. Federal laws institute a maximum gross vehicle weight of 20,000 pounds for vehicles on a single axis and 34,000 pounds for trucks on a tandem axle group. Truck drivers and companies should check state guidelines for locations on their routes for other carrying capacity restrictions.
On rare occasions, truck drivers may have permits to drive an oversized vehicle or carry excess cargo. In most cases, having an overloaded or overweight truck is against the law and can constitute legal liability if the truck driver causes an accident in Iberville Parish. Suppliers and trucking companies must follow federal weight regulations and ensure that all cargo is safely secured throughout an entire haul. However, drivers and companies often overload their trucks to meet deadlines and delivery quotas, leading to devastating accidents.
Causes of Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents
Overloaded and overweight trucks create risk factors that could lead to many different accident scenarios in Plaquemine and elsewhere in Iberville Parish. Trucks are already harder to control when responding to risks on the road, and adding extra weight can make avoiding an accident even more difficult for truck drivers. An overloaded truck may also limit a driver’s visibility of the areas around their vehicle.
Overweight trucks pose a risk not just when causing a direct accident but can also damage infrastructure. City planners design most bridges and roads to handle a certain level of traffic and weight. When trucking companies overload their vehicles, they risk causing dips and potholes in this infrastructure, causing dangerous road conditions for other motorists.
Whether an accident was caused by a truck driver who acted recklessly, a supplier who did not correctly secure cargo, or a company that promoted overloading vehicles, injured parties deserve compensation. A seasoned truck wreck attorney could evaluate the circumstances of an accident and help determine who can be held liable.
Call an Attorney After Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Iberville Parish
Trucking companies and drivers may be eager to deliver as much cargo as possible on a single route, but overloading a truck past weight regulations puts everyone else on the road in danger. When overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Plaquemine happen, these massive vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries and even death.
If an irresponsible truck driver or company created circumstances that caused an accident, you deserve compensation to move forward. Contact Tomeny | Best Injury Lawyers to learn more about what we could do for you. Your initial consultation is free.
