Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Ausin
Commercial truck drivers, employers, and other third-party companies must comply with federal and state regulations, especially when it comes to the weight they can carry.
Unfortunately, commercial truck drivers often breach these weight regulations and take shortcuts, which can have devastating results. Motorists involved in an accident with an overloaded truck are at significant risk of sustaining catastrophic injuries or death.
Thankfully, when a truck driver’s negligence causes injuries, you likely have the legal right to work with an experienced truck crash attorney and collect compensation from the responsible party. Our legal team can assess your case, explain the nuances of overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Austin, and help you decide how to best proceed.
Federal Trucking Weight Limits Explained
Federal and state laws strictly regulate the commercial trucking industry, including the maximum weight limits for cargo. According to the guidelines provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a truck’s gross weight cannot exceed 80,000 pounds. Single-axle vehicles can carry up to 20,000 pounds, while tandem axle trucks can carry up to 34,000 pounds.
Commercial truck weigh stations are all over the country, and drivers must stop to ensure compliance with the laws. When a trucker enters a station and the cargo exceeds these established limits, they receive a citation and continue on their way without requiring them to reduce the weight. An Austin lawyer can use this citation as valuable evidence when assembling an overloaded/overweight truck accident claim.
The Causes of Overloaded/Overweight Truck Crashes
There are many specific actions or scenarios that can contribute to an overloaded/overweight truck accident, including but not limited to:
- Tire blowouts caused by excess, additional weight
- Brake failure from the additional friction caused by an overloaded vehicle
- Poorly loaded cargo destabilizing an overweight truck’s center of gravity
- The increased risk of losing control of an overloaded truck while going downhill
- Problems slowing down adequately due to an unnecessarily heavy load
An attorney seasoned in overloaded/overweight truck crashes in Austin can complete a thorough investigation and evidence review to find the cause of the collision and at-fault party.
Determining Liability After an Overweight Truck Wreck
Truckers might overload a truck for a number of reasons. Overloading cargo be a mistake or an intentional decision, depending on the circumstances. If a trucking company forces workers to overload the trucks because of time constraints, this corporation would be liable for any resulting accidents or injuries.
Meanwhile, overloading a commercial vehicle could be a mistake by the company handling the loading, or the truck driver could be at fault. A lawyer in Austin skilled with overweight/overloaded truck collisions can examine any relevant evidence to determine exactly why the crash occurred.
Call Our Attorneys About Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Austin
Trucks carrying overly heavy loads are a hazard for everyone else on the road. Federal and State laws strictly regulate how much weight a commercial vehicle can carry because overloaded vehicles are more prone to rollover accidents, tire blowouts, and many other incidents.
If you were in a crash with a truck that was carrying too much cargo, you are likely entitled to file a civil claim or collect a settlement from the liable party. Call a hard-working lawyer to learn more about overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Austin.
