Why Do Overloaded Trucks Cause Accidents?

Any commercial truck on the road poses increased danger to other motorists, but an overloaded truck presents additional hazards. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes weight limits on trucking companies to prevent as many weight-related truck accidents as possible. According to the FMCSA, the weight limit for a commercial motor vehicle is a gross weight (truck and cargo) of no more than 80,000 pounds. Some trucking companies have been caught ignoring the rule in an attempt to boost productivity. In 2014, the Texas Department of Public Safety cited 61,184 drivers for operating overweight trucks. Overloaded trucks are responsible for hundreds of accidents on Texas roads every year. In 2011, 1,137 accidents on Texas highways were caused by overloaded trucks, in which four drivers died and another 30 were injured.

What Risks Do Overloaded Trucks Pose?

A commercial truck can easily weigh 20 or 30 times more than an average vehicle. That means that they cause significantly more damage upon impact. Other dangers associated with overloading include:

• Difficulty stopping – The increased weight means more mass to overcome. More mass means more momentum. More momentum means it could take much longer for an overweight truck to stop; too long to prevent a fatal car accident.

• Risk of breaking axles – The axles on a truck are rated to carry a certain weight. If the axles are overloaded, they could break. If the axle on a 100,000-pound rolling object breaks while it’s traveling 60 mph, that’s going to do some damage to any vehicles nearby.

• Instability and tip overs – Overweight trailers could also cause the truck and its cargo to fall over, potentially crushing cars passing by.

• Increased risk of dropping cargo – Falling debris is also a serious concern with overloaded trucks. When trucks are overloaded, it’s hard to ensure cargo is securely strapped.

What Can I Do If I’m Injured in an Overloaded Truck Accident?

If a trucking company asks its drivers to exceed regulations on weight, it may cause a serious accident. Truck drivers and companies have a responsibility to follow the rules and keep other people on the road safe. The vehicles they are driving are deadly and should be handled with caution. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, truckers and commercial carriers can be held liable when other drivers are injured or killed. Profits should never take precedence over other people's lives. Suppose you were injured because a trucking company valued productivity and profit over your safety. In that case, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.