The Dangers Posed by Overloaded Commercial Trucks
Truck drivers, more than any other road users, have a responsibility to use as much care as possible when sharing the road, simply because their vehicles pose such a risk of injury in the event of a crash. This responsibility encompasses not only the utilization of safe driving habits, however, but also proper cargo loading techniques. Failing to load a truck correctly, for instance, can result in rollover accidents and cargo spills, both of which can prove devastating for other drivers. This is why federal regulators put a series of rules in place, limiting not just how much certain trucks can carry, but how cargo must be loaded and secured.
Overloading Trucks Can Cause Accidents
When fully loaded, semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making it extremely difficult for them to stop, slow, and turn. How these trucks are loaded can further impact their ability to maneuver safely. Failing to adhere to the guidelines for weight limits and load securement creates additional dangers, as it:
- Increases the chances of a vehicle rolling over while turning;
- Makes it a lot more likely that a trailer will jackknife;
- Places excessive stress on the truck’s axles, brakes, and tires, which can lead to the failure of these components; and
- Gives drivers less control over the vehicle, especially when the road or weather conditions are poor.
All of these issues could end up posing a risk of injury to other road users. A rollover accident, for instance, besides blocking multiple lanes of traffic and involving a lot of potential collisions, can lead to the spilling of dangerous cargo onto the road itself. A jackknifing truck is even more perilous, as it will most likely result in a multi-vehicle pile-up. Fortunately, truck drivers and trucking companies can be held liable for causing these kinds of accidents through overloading.
Signs of an Overloaded Commercial Vehicle
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible for other road users to tell when a truck is transporting more than it was designed to carry until it is too late. There are some things, however, that drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike can look out for that could be indicative of cargo exceeding federal or state weight limits, including:
- Trouble slowing down or coming to a complete stop;
- A driver’s inability to keep a straight path while driving;
- Cargo stacked over the top of the truck, or bulging over the sides; and
- A lack of bouncing when going over bumps, which could be evidence of compressed suspension springs.
Road users who recognize these signs should do their best to stay away from the truck in question to avoid being involved in a potential collision.
Contact Our Experienced Legal Team After a Truck Accident
For help investigating the cause of your own truck accident, or to seek compensation from the at-fault trucking company responsible for your crash, please call Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 and set up a meeting with one of our dedicated Florida truck accident attorneys today.
Sources:
transportation.gov/briefing-room/safetyfirst/federal-motor-carrier-safety-administration
fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/data-and-statistics/vehicles-table-17-large-trucks-crashes-jackknife-occurrence-and-crash-6
