How Overloaded Truck Accidents Can Cause Serious Injuries

Trucking companies need to be held responsible for an accident caused by improperly loading its cargo.

There is a good reason why weight limits exist for trucks. A tractor trailer could easily roll over if it is overloaded. In addition, overloaded trucks are harder to stop. The result in either case can cause serious injuries and even fatalities.

People who are injured in overloaded truck accidents may face hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, therapy, and medication. They may be left temporarily or even permanently disabled. Serious truck accident injuries may include internal injuries, multiple fractures, TBI, burns, and spinal cord injuries.

There are several factors that affect how much cargo can be safely carried by a truck: the gross weight of the truck, its working load limit, the braking ability, and the number of axles on it.

How a Truck Can Be Improperly Loaded

Trucks that haul loads which exceed the gross vehicle weight ratings can lead to equipment and brake failures, as well as increased stopping distances. When there is poor weather conditions and dangerous road features such as steep downgrades, the problems can easily escalate causing an accident.

If cargo is piled or stacked too high, it can affect handling and cause a roll-over accident. This is especially the case when a truck has to turn or where drivers need to make a sudden maneuver to avoid a hazard.

In some cases, the load on the truck may not have been properly fortified by either the trucking company or the truck driver. In other cases, the load may be unsafe simply because there is no cargo restraining device in place to secure the load.

Every trucking company must adhere to the safety protocols when either loading or securing a tractor trailer. They must ensure that there are no safety risks or hazards.

Improper Loading Truck Liability

If you have been involved in an accident involving a tractor trailer, it may be the result of an overloaded or improperly loaded truck. If liability can be established, you may be able to hold the trucking company or the driver responsible for your injuries.

In most truck accident cases, the defendant’s liability is typically based on negligence. Trucking companies need to be held responsible for an accident caused by improperly loading its cargo.

St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers

For more than 20 years, the Law Office of James M. Hoffmann has provided truck accident victims with the necessary information to make the right choices so that they can receive the best medical care, benefits and income. We have the experience and resources necessary to assist you in recovering the damages you may be entitled to receive.