Commercial trucks with fully loaded trailers may weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Adding even more cargo makes them heavier and even more dangerous in the event of a crash. Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Piscataway can result in serious injuries or death to anyone who happens to be in the way.
Accidents involving commercial trucks are always terrible, but if a commercial truck loaded too full caused your accident, you have even more reason to file a civil lawsuit and recover your losses. Discuss the incident with an experienced truck accident attorney who understands cargo and shipping laws. We will listen carefully and find answers to your legal questions.
Regulations for Cargo Weight on Commercial Vehicles
If you are not familiar with the trucking industry, you probably are not aware that trucking companies must follow strict regulations concerning the amount of weight they can load onto their trucks. State and federal agencies establish these regulations to keep the roads safer, and inspectors enforce them at highway weigh stations.
Some trucking companies circumvent the regulations to load more cargo and save on expenses. An overloaded truck trailer not only puts additional strain on the truck’s engine, suspension, brakes, and tires but also puts lives at risk.
If an overweight commercial truck in Piscataway slides out of control on the road and causes an accident involving other motorists or pedestrians, a lawyer can determine the party responsible for the accident.
What Can Happen When a Truck is Overloaded
Because commercial trucks are so much larger and heavier than normal-sized vehicles, they need extra space to turn and stop. A truck that exceeds its designated weight will need even more time to stop, and trying to turn quickly could result in losing control. If the cargo shifts and becomes unbalanced, the truck could tip over or jackknife.
The extra weight could also cause problems to the truck itself, such as exploding tires, putting too much stress on the brakes, or overheating the engine. Overweight truck accidents in Piscataway often happen when these mechanical failures occur while the truck is on the road, causing the driver to lose control and crash.
How an Attorney Can Help
A lawyer can investigate an overloaded truck accident in Piscataway and learn the reasons behind the crash. This includes examining the truck driver’s logbook, the loading company’s records, and the truck driver’s employment records. If the truck was overloaded, the lawyer can find out who was responsible for adding the extra cargo and breaking the weight regulations. The attorney can then clearly explain these details as part of a civil lawsuit against the liable party.
The lawyer may be able to negotiate a reasonable settlement for the injured person out of court. If the lawsuit goes to court, the attorney can represent the injured person and fight for a maximum settlement to help recover financial and non-financial losses.
Contact a Piscataway Lawyer Concerning an Overloaded/Overweight Trucking Accident
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Piscataway should not go overlooked. If you were injured in a truck accident that may have been caused by an overloaded truck, then you should contact us to help hold the liable party accountable for your injuries.
At Fredson Stratmore Bitterman, LLC, we work diligently to help injured people get the compensation they deserve. We are a large firm with excellent resources, and each client receives the attention they would expect from a small firm. Schedule your free consultation today.