Overloading Causing Truck Accidents

Federal and state regulations restrict the weight that commercial truck drivers are allowed to carry at any one time, yet because drivers are often paid by the size of the load they deliver and how quickly they can deliver it, weight limits are often pushed, putting other drivers at risk for injury or death. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Illinois is one of the top 10 states for large truck accident fatalities, and overloading is one of the top causes for these accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, we at 844 See Mike are here for you every step of the way to ensure that your rights are protected, and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses.

Trucks and Federal Weight Limits

Each class of truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and a load weight limit determined by a method called the Bridge Formula. This formula allows officials to determine the appropriate maximum gross weight based on the number of axle’s and their spacing and weight ranges from 34,000 pounds to a maximum of 80,000 pounds. Unfortunately, when trucks are overloaded, accidents can be devastating.

How Does Overloading Cause Accidents?

Overloaded trucks can cause a multitude of problems. Some of the ways an overloaded truck can cause accidents include:

• Brake problems-Overloaded trucks require more distance for braking and may not be able to stop in time. Brakes on an overloaded truck can also overheat and fail.

• Shifting cargo-Cargo that begins shifting during transport can cause a truck to lose control and rollover.

• Falling cargo-Cargo that is improperly secured can fall into the roadways and cause traffic obstructions or hit vehicles following behind the truck or cargo may be hazardous/combustible.

• Tire blowout-Overloading tires can cause them to overheat and wear out quickly. Overheated tires are prone to blowouts which cause a truck to lose control.

• Jackknifing-If weight is improperly distributed, it can cause the trailer to swing and make the truck jackknife.

• Rollover-If a trailer is top heavy, it is more likely to rollover or be blown over by heavy winds.

When trucks are overloaded or loaded improperly, damage to the vehicle and loss of control are more likely to occur. The result of this operator error is often tragic and can leave other drivers seriously injured or killed.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.