Overloaded Truck Accident
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Were You Injured By An Overloaded Truck?

Have you ever wondered how roadways handle those massive trucks carrying up to 80,000 pounds of cargo? Trucks are one of many factors responsible for the formation of potholes, cracked pavements and a plethora of other poor road conditions that cause motor vehicle accidents in Missouri and across the nation.

As you can imagine, overweight and overloaded trucks only exacerbate the problem. But potholes and cracks formed in the pavement are not the only dangers posed by overloaded trucks.

Trucks that transport more weight in comparison to the load the trucks or the roads can handle also increase the likelihood of an overloaded truck accident. More often than not, trucks carrying more cargo than allowed by federal law also fail to properly secure their cargo so they can fit as many materials and packages as possible.

Overloading trucks and improperly securing cargo are among the most common causes of truck crashes in Missouri and across the U.S. If you or your loved one has been injured in a truck accident, Mayer & Associates, P.C., is ready to protect your rights regarding compensation from insurance companies.

Federal Regulations Set Weight Requirements For Trucks’ Cargo

There are strict federal regulations that prohibit truckers and trucking companies from overloading their trucks in an attempt to reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents caused by overloaded and improperly loaded trucks. Unfortunately, not all trucking companies comply with these regulations, endangering the lives of their truck drivers and other motorists.

After all, an overloaded truck is more likely to spill its cargo, tip over and roll over, not to mention that the cargo on an overloaded truck is more likely to come loose and slam other vehicles’ windshields.

Under the federal regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks are not allowed to carry more than 20,000 pounds per axle. There are more than 700 weigh stations in Missouri and all across the U.S. designed to ensure that trucks comply with the federal weight requirements imposed by the FMCSA.

As you may have guessed, not all truck drivers and trucking companies use these weigh stations to ensure they are following the rules.

Dangers Of Overloaded Trucks

Overloaded trucks pose a series of dangers and can cause preventable truck accidents. Here’s a nonexhaustive list of dangers posed by overloaded trucks:

  • Difficulty steering
  • Increased risk of the truck tilting, tipping over and rolling over
  • Increased braking distance, making it difficult for the truck driver to come to an abrupt stop in a timely manner
  • Increased risk of causing potholes and other bad road conditions
  • Increased risk of tire blowout due to too much pressure on the tires
  • Increased risk of truck cargo spills and materials breaking loose due to improper securing of the cargo

Although the fact that a truck is overloaded plays a major role in motor vehicle accidents involving overloaded trucks, there are many other factors that could contribute to the problem. These factors include but are not limited to speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, truck driver fatigue, drunk or drugged driving, and many more.

Schedule A Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a truck accident and have reason to suspect that the truck was overloaded, you may want to speak to a skilled truck accident lawyer to determine liability and seek compensation for your economic and noneconomic damages and losses. Call 816-692-2877 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.