Overweight And Overloaded Trucks
The presence of overweight and overloaded trucks on the road increases the likelihood of an accident. Because of this, overweight and overloaded trucks are against federal and state laws, but the consequences for breaking these laws can be somewhat meager. This leads to more overweight trucks out on the road. Some trucking companies may also get permits to have overweight and overloaded trucks, leading to even more of these trucks on the road alongside cars that could become part of an accident. Overweight and overloaded trucks can cause accidents that result in severe injuries and may be fatal to both the driver and others on the roads. If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving an overweight and overloaded truck, you can contact Louisiana Law Lady today at (504) 470-3511 to learn more and start building a case.
What Is Considered An Overweight Truck?
Because of the dangers of overweight and overloaded trucks, strict restrictions are placed on truck companies in order to protect the safety of other vehicles on the road. The United States Department of Energy outlines the different weight categories and classes at the federal level, but states may place their own regulations on trucks. Trucks that exceed these weight and size limits may be considered overweight or overloaded. If a truck must transport an extra-large load, the company can request an overweight or overloaded truck permit in order to legally transport the load.
What Are Overweight Truck Permits?
A truck company may be able to get around regulations by requesting an overweight truck permit. There are 27 permits specific to different types of overweight or overloaded trucks. The Louisiana Department of Transportation outlines the requirements and procedures for acquiring an overweight and overloaded truck permit.
What Are The Dangers Of An Overweight and Overloaded Truck?
Overweight and overloaded trucks can cause serious accidents that may result in injury or even death. Overweight and overloaded trucks can be more likely to cause accidents for a number of reasons:
- The extra weight can put added pressure on the tires and cause blowouts.
- An overweight and overloaded truck can cause equipment malfunctions, putting pressure on components that are not built to handle the extra weight. These malfunctions can cause important parts of the truck to fail and cause an accident.
- The extra weight can also make a truck more difficult to maneuver. Difficulty with maneuvering can be dangerous for the driver and other vehicles on the road and could also lead to the truck tipping over if the weight in the truck is unequally arranged.
- An overloaded truck can also have a harder time stopping in case of an emergency. In extreme circumstances, the added pressure of the extra weight could also lead to brake failures.
- A truck that has been overloaded or is overweight can also be loaded improperly. Because the truck is not built for the amount it is carrying, the extra cargo may move around, potentially causing the truck to lose control.
- Overloaded trucks can have further limited visibility if its load extends farther than regulations allow.
- Overweight and overloaded trucks also have the capacity to damage infrastructure. These overweight and overloaded trucks can damage bridges, overpasses, roadways, etc.
Louisiana Revised Statute 32:383 also outlines the parameters for the sizes of a vehicle’s load and the way the load should be secured in order to ensure the safety of other drivers on the road.
What Are The Penalties For Overweight And Overloaded Trucks?
The regulations for overweight and oversized trucks can be strict, but this may not stop truck companies from breaking or evading these restrictions. These violations can incur some fines. For each violation, a truck company may be fined one hundred dollars. These violations can also include failure to stop at weigh-ins along a truck’s route. The fines may also be in proportion to how much a truck is overweight or overloaded.
Why Are Overweight And Overloaded Truck Cases Important?
Cases involving an overweight or overloaded truck are important for the continuing protection of public safety. When truck companies find ways around regulations and overload their trucks, it puts those on the road at greater risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an overweight and overloaded truck, you can contact Louisiana Law Lady today.
Who Is Liable For An Overweight Or Overloaded Truck Accident?
It can be difficult to determine who is liable for an accident, especially when it comes to trucking companies. The truck operator could be liable for driving a truck with the knowledge that it was overweight or overloaded. A truck company could be liable for failing to maintain trucks and for loading a truck past its legal limit, according to state and federal regulations. A shipping or loading company can also be liable if the company is responsible for overloading a truck and if the company does not comply with state and federal law. Other parties, such as the manufacturer or maintenance company, may be liable if the accident is due to poor maintenance or defective equipment, though these companies are not responsible for loading the trucks or ensuring their cargo complies with regulations.
Contact A Lawyer Today To Learn More About Your Legal Rights!
Navigating the legal landscape after an accident can create added stress and confusion in an already difficult time. Overweight and overloaded trucks can create incredible risk for other vehicles on the road and can increase the likelihood of an accident occurring. In the event that an accident does occur, it can result in serious injury or even death. Still, truck companies often look for ways around regulations in order to ship larger loads. Cases such as these may help to make the roads safer by holding truck companies accountable for violating regulations. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an overweight or overloaded truck, you can contact Louisiana Law Lady today at (504) 470-3511 and learn more about your legal rights.