Loading cargo onto a truck must be done precisely. When somebody loads cargo onto a truck incorrectly, a tractor-trailer truck can become unstable, leading to a dangerous situation. Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Katy, TX can cause devastating injuries to people in other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
If you suspect a truck’s weight contributed to your accident, you likely have a great deal of questions. Fortunately, a skilled truck accident attorney could answer your questions and help you pursue justice for your losses.
Because of their immense size, large commercial semi-trucks pose a significant risk to anyone sharing the roads with them. In an effort to reduce the likelihood of accidents, the federal and state governments have enacted various regulations to govern the trucking industry. In addition to setting forth limits on how long a trucker can drive and how long their breaks must be, these regulations govern how a truck should be loaded.
The following are some of the regulations that affect a truck’s cargo size:
Failure to adhere to any of these state or federal laws could constitute evidence of a truck driver, loading company, or trucking company’s liability. A knowledgeable attorney from Katy has the practical skills, in-depth knowledge, and experience with reviewing national and state loading laws to determine if an overloaded or overweight truck caused an accident.
As with other types of big rig collisions, more than one party could be potentially liable for causing an accident in Katy due to an overweight or overloaded commercial vehicle.
Truck drivers are usually the most aware of how much cargo their vehicle is carrying. Part of a truck driver’s duties is to ensure their cargo is properly secured and balanced and that their truck is not overloaded or too heavy. As they travel on highways, commercial truck drivers are supposed to stop at weighing stations to ensure compliance with weight limits. If a trucker learns their truck is overweight at a weighing station, they should stop driving.
Unfortunately, truck drivers often feel a great deal of pressure from their employers to meet deadlines, even if those deadlines are severely unrealistic. Consequently, truck drivers sometimes intentionally put too much cargo on a truck in an effort to meet their delivery deadlines on time due to implicit or express pressure from their employers. Similarly, loading companies might also feel pressure to get as much freight on the truck as possible in order to maximize their profits. When this happens, the truck driver is not the only responsible party. A dedicated legal team could help pursue a claim against the trucking or loading company.
Truck drivers, loading companies, and trucking companies should adhere to all federal, state, and local trucking regulations. Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Katy should never occur. When they do happen, you might have the right to seek financial damages. Call a determined personal injury team who knows how to fight for you.
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