Improperly Loaded & Overloaded Trucks

In 2012, there were 3,900 fatalities and 104,000 people injured in truck crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One of the biggest reason for these accidents was a loss of driver control, and two reasons a truck driver could lose control of his or her vehicle are overloading and improper loading.

Overloaded Trucks

Federal and state law both mandate weight restrictions for commercial trucks, usually around 80,000 pounds. While some of these vehicles can obtain overloading permits, this limitation is in large part to prevent the wear and tear of the roads and to keep trucks from failing on the way to their destination. So much weight on the wheels can often cause them to rupture, potentially causing catastrophic amounts of damage if the truck flips over. Likewise, the extra weight of the overloaded truck can make it go much faster than safety dictates if it’s going downhill.

Improper Loading

Improper loading can also be dangerous, even if the cargo is not that heavy. Truck drivers should have been trained on how to distribute the weight on the vehicle properly. If the load is off balance, the entire truck could lose its balance, making it more likely to tip over when it turns. Improper distribution of cargo is more likely to lead to multi-vehicle accidents or rollover incidents.

Who Is Liable?

If a truck driver fails to load his or her truck correctly, he or she may be held responsible for any accidents this mistake may cause. However, the trucking company that employs the driver could also be held responsible. If the company failed to provide adequate training to their employees, they would be entirely responsible for any errors committed by its employees regarding improper loading procedures.

Contact Us Today!

If you were involved in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to call us. Truck accidents can be devastating and can often lead to catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical care. If you needed medical care following an accident with an irresponsible truck driver, you deserve compensation for any money you paid out of pocket. Let us see how we can help your case. Berthold Law Firm, PLLC has been helping people recover compensation for their injuries for more than 60 years. Our skilled Charleston truck accident lawyers are dedicated to pursuing justice for people who were wronged through negligence and carelessness. Let us offer you our legal advocacy.