Katy Overloaded Truck Accident Attorney
There is nothing more dangerous on the road than an overloaded truck. While the federal limit on gross weight is strict, trucking companies do not always follow the law. This can lead to extremely hazardous driving conditions not only for the truck driver, but for other people sharing the road. If you were injured in an overloaded truck accident, The West Law Office is here to help. By working closely with one of our Katy overloaded truck accident attorneys, you can file a personal injury claim against the negligent trucking company to recoup your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other damages.
Problems With Overloading a Truck
The maximum weight limit for a truck is 80,000, which is set by the Department of Transportation. Anything greater than that is considered oversized, and requires special permits, front and follow vehicles, and other safety features such as flashing lights and flags. However, trucking companies have been known to flout federal and state laws, going over the 80,000 pound limit. Similarly, smaller trucks may have their own weight limits that need to be adhered to. If a truck is overloaded with cargo, a lot can go wrong. Collisions arising from overloading a truck can be caused by a number of factors, including the following:
- Reduced stopping ability;
- Driver loses control on a downhill caused by brake failure;
- Driver loses ability to control the vehicle;
- Increased chance of a rollover;
- Increased chance of a tire blowout; and
- Increased chance of an axle failure.
Improper Loading
Trucks have cargo weight limits that need to be obeyed, otherwise crashes are inevitable. Similarly, the way the cargo is distributed, stacked, and secured matters when it comes to safety and crash avoidance. For example, if too much weight is stacked up high in a semi-trailer, the trailer becomes top heavy as the center of gravity is shifted up. This increases the chance of a rollover, reduces the driver’s ability to steer or perform emergency maneuvers, and increases the chance of something else going catastrophically wrong, such as a jackknife collision.
Why You Need to Work With an Attorney
The trucking company or their insurance carrier is likely to reach out to you at some point to discuss a settlement. We urge you to not only decline the offer, but to decline speaking with the other party altogether. It is in your best interest to talk to your own attorney first. Anything you say to the other party’s insurance adjuster can be used against you to devalue your claim. Your claim is most likely worth more than you realize. It takes time to properly settle or win a lawsuit verdict, which is why you need an attorney working on your case from the beginning.
Contact a Katy Overloaded Truck Accident Attorney Today
Being involved in a truck collision is a terrifying endeavor. The injuries you sustained are no doubt severe, and you deserve to be fairly compensated. To start today, call the Katy overloaded truck accident attorneys at The West Law Office at 283-347-3247 to schedule a free consultation.
