Semi-trucks are some of the largest and heaviest vehicles on the road. Given the amount of cargo they can carry, it is vital that their trailers are carefully loaded to ensure a safe trip. If the truck is top-heavy or overweight, the risks of a crash increase dramatically.
If you have been hurt in overloaded/overweight truck accidents in San Diego, you might be entitled to compensation. A dedicated attorney could investigate the cause of the accident and answer any questions you have about your rights.
The federal government has adopted a number of regulations designed to address the dangers of overloading a truck.
The maximum weight of a vehicle depends in part on how many axles it has. A single-axle truck can weigh up to 20,000 pounds, while the limit increases to as much as 80,000 pounds with multiple axles.
To enforce these laws, the Department of Transportation operates weigh stations along federal highways. Trucks are required to weigh in, and vehicles that are too heavy are not permitted to continue. In addition to the potential for delays, there are also fines applied to the driver and trucking company.
Despite these risks, some truck drivers carry trailers above the maximum allowed weight. Often, they do so in an effort to avoid making multiple trips. A San Diego attorney could use evidence showing that a truck was overloaded to establish negligence following an accident.
When it comes to proving weight rules violations, our team has numerous tools at our disposal. We carefully parse through log books, weight station data, and past violations to get to the bottom of how an accident happened.
There are good reasons for applying strict limits on the weight of a commercial truck. Likewise, regulations regarding how a trailer is loaded are essential. When vehicles are too heavy, they require more time to come to a complete stop while in motion. This can lead to a truck driver underestimating how early they need to apply the brakes, potentially resulting in a rear-end collision.
Overweight trucks are more likely to cause accidents, and these crashes can result in severe injuries for San Diego drivers and passengers. Commercial vehicles already outweigh passenger cars by a significant amount. When they are overloaded, the force they generate in a collision can be catastrophic.
Additional weight can also have a detrimental effect on the vehicle itself. Couplings—the connection between the truck and the trailer—can fail when too much pressure is exerted on them. This can cause the trailer to break away entirely, colliding with other vehicles on the road.
Many of the cases we pursue involve a lack of oversight. Companies are known for relying on third parties who are not properly trained or do not enforce generally accepted loading protocols. When companies cut corners and accidents occur, CaseyGerry’s attorneys can evaluate liability and explain your options for pursuing a claim.
An important part of any personal injury case is identifying the at-fault party. In a San Diego overloaded/overweight truck accident, one or more individuals may be responsible. The driver of the truck may have demonstrated negligence by knowingly operating a vehicle that is too heavy. Their employer could also be responsible for any damages that occur.
In some situations, third parties are involved in the loading and unloading of commercial vehicles. If their employees knowingly overloaded a truck, the company might be at fault for the accident. An attorney can help determine which parties may be liable through a civil claim.
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in San Diego can be complicated, as there are often multiple parties at fault. Unfortunately, pursuing claims against these parties may be challenging, as they often have significant resources and legal teams on their side.
To get a clear picture of your legal options, contact CaseyGerry. Our attorneys can answer your questions, explain your rights, and help guide you through the legal process.
