Truck crashes can lead to catastrophic, life-altering injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and spinal cord damage. When a driver overloads a truck, and that leads to a collision, that driver should be held liable. Driving a truck weighing above its GVWR would be considered negligent. Trucking companies that do not properly monitor their drivers, or even encourage overloading a vehicle, can also be held accountable for injuries caused by a driver’s negligence. Determining what a truck weighed at the time of an accident and whether that factored into causing the collision may be difficult. An experienced attorney can make sure that the proper evidence is gathered and that the proper parties are pursued.
Tractor-Trailer Trucks Carrying Too Much Cargo Pose and Increased Risk on New York’s Roads
The trucking industry is regulated at both the state and federal levels to maintain safety standards and ensure that the risk of injuries on the road is kept as low as possible. When a truck is over a certain weight, loaded with too much cargo, or loaded improperly, the potential for a serious accident is greatly increased. Marc S. Albert helps people injured in accidents involving overweight or overloaded trucks.
The aftermath of a collision can be a confusing time and gathering evidence regarding which practices were or were not in place may become complicated. Marc S. Albert has more than 25 years of experience in assisting victims of trucking accidents, making sure that their rights are preserved and aggressively represented throughout the legal process.
Truck Industry Standards Regarding Weight Limits and Loading
Truck manufacturers issue a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for each vehicle produced, which instructs drivers and companies, as to which weight limit applies to each individual truck. Federal regulations prohibit carrying more weight than the GVWR allows while traveling on interstate highways. No truck can exceed a GVWR of 80,000 pounds. The following are some common dangers associated with an overweight or overloaded truck:
- If a truck needs to change its speed, extra weight affects its ability to brake properly, especially when traveling downhill. Trucks may also experience issues regarding increasing speed enough to drive uphill.
- Overweight or overloaded trucks are more susceptible to rolling over in the event of a collision or when traveling at certain speeds.
- Drivers may be unable to steer properly and have difficulty making turns or other maneuvers.
- Shifting of cargo is also more likely to occur when a truck is overloaded.
- Drivers who operate vehicles that are overweight are in violation of the law, and these drivers, as well as their employer companies, can be held accountable for the accidents and injuries that may result.
Inadequate Inspections and Manufacturer Defects Can Result in Catastrophic Injuries
Liability for Accidents Caused by Overweight or Overloaded Trucks
Truck accident injuries are often much more severe than those caused by other motor vehicle collisions. As victims face time missed from work and growing medical costs, they often need financial support to cover their expenses. Marc S. Albert is dedicated to making sure that the parties responsible for causing the harm are required to aid in covering the costs that result.
The Law Offices of Marc S. Albert offers compassionate and seasoned legal representation to clients throughout New York City and Long Island from offices in Astoria, Brooklyn, and Syosset. If you have questions regarding your legal rights and options in the aftermath of a truck accident caused by an overweight truck, contact our office at 855-252-3788 or online to speak with Marc today.
If you have been in a car accident, your first call should be to Marc Albert at 855-252-3788.
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