Accidents from Overloaded Semi Trucks
Guidance from Our San Jose Truck Accident Attorney
When trucking companies do not abide by established safety regulations, innocent people end up paying the price. Such companies should not be allowed to get away with their negligent behavior. As someone who has suffered considerable losses in a truck accident, you should pursue justice against the party that has wronged you and your loved ones.
Our experienced San Jose truck accident lawyers at Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP can help.
Experienced Representation from Caputo & Van Der Walde
For more than 85 collective years, our law firm has practiced exclusively in personal injury law. Our wealth of focused experience gives us an edge. Fighting against insurance companies and other powerful entities may be tough, but we have the confidence and the skills to challenge them.
If you wish to learn more about your rights and legal options in a free case evaluation, please call us today at (800) 900-0863.
Truck Legal Weight Limits
According to restrictions set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large commercial trucks cannot weigh more than 20,000 pounds per axle. The maximum allowed total weight is 80,000 pounds. These limits are applicable to most roadways; however, there are some roads where lower weight limitations are imposed due to their design and other factors. Trucking companies and their drivers have the duty to comply with these regulations.
Dangers of Overloading Trucks
Trucking companies must make sure that federal weight limits and requirements are met by each and every truck before they take off. They must also prevent cargo from being improperly balanced, measured, or loaded, or else serious accidents can occur. Overloaded truck accidents are easily prevented by proper inspection.
The reasons why overloading is so dangerous when it comes to large trucks are as follows:
- Excessive cargo on a truck causes the weight to shift from the front tires to the rear, making the truck much harder to handle for the driver.
- Overloaded trucks are much harder to stop and the added stress on the brakes may cause them to fail.
- Overloaded trucks are much slower going uphill and much faster going downhill. This can make for dangerous scenarios.
- When an overloaded truck traverses a road, overpass, or bridge while exceeding their weight restrictions, it may cause them to collapse.
- Overloaded trucks have a higher center of gravity and consequently a higher chance of a rollover.
Furthermore, more weight equals greater force; in other words, an overloaded truck has greater lethal potentiality in general and can wreak havoc in any kind of collision.
Truck Accident Lawyers in San Jose – Call (800) 900-0863
If you are unsure about whether you have a viable personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against a trucking company, please reach out to our San Jose personal injury attorneys at Caputo & Van Der Walde LLP.
We will patiently answer any questions you may have about your case and offer guidance on how to best pursue financial and legal recourse for your losses.
