Large commercial vehicles like semi-trucks and big rigs are heavy and unwieldy, requiring significant training and attentiveness to operate. Cargo can make it even more difficult to turn, stop, and start the vehicle, especially if the truck is improperly or overly loaded.
Sadly, overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Marietta are a common occurrence. Massive commercial vehicles can cause severe damage to the passengers of much smaller passenger cars in the event of a collision. If you or a loved one were injured in this type of crash, reach out to a skilled attorney at our firm. You may have a claim for compensation, especially if the trucking company violated federal weight regulations.
Causes of Improperly Loaded Tractor-Trailers
While most passenger cars weigh roughly 3,000 pounds, semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when loaded, according to O.C.G.A. § 32-6-20. Trucking companies must follow federal weight limits to protect everyone on the roads, but sadly, many value their profit margins more than safety.
When trucking companies load their vehicles above the federal limits, the trucks become overly heavy and difficult to operate, increasing the risk of collisions. Overweight tractor-trailers are at higher risk of jackknifing or rolling over, potentially causing multiple vehicle pileups.
Another primary concern for overloaded trucks is brake failure. An overweight tractor-trailer is ill-equipped to stop quickly in traffic, which can lead to rear-endings. The additional weight can also cause equipment failure, as the vehicle is not built to handle massive amounts of cargo.
Compensation in Marietta Overweight Truck Claims
After a tractor-trailer crash, an injured victim may be entitled to compensation for any losses stemming from the accident. In many circumstances, victims can maximize their compensation by suing both the negligent truck driver and their employer.
Compensation for a collision involving an overly heavy commercial truck typically includes:
- Medical expenses (including future costs)
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Mental and emotional anguish
Negligence in Overloaded Truck Crash Claims
To successfully recover damages after a truck accident, a plaintiff and their attorney must establish negligence by the defendant. This involves showing that the defendant had a duty of care, that the breach caused the accident, and that the accident caused compensable damages.
All drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws. Commercial truck operators and their employers also have a duty to abide by state and federal trucking regulations. If a trucking company or cargo loading company packs a vehicle past the maximum weight limits, this could constitute a breach of their duty of care.
As such, there are multiple parties who could be held liable in an overloaded truck accident claim, including the truck driver, their employer, and the loading company. An attorney with experience investigating overweight semi collisions in Marietta could help determine the negligent parties and pursue compensation on behalf of an injured victim.
Consult a Marietta Attorney on Overloaded/Overweight Truck Crashes
A trucking accident can drastically alter your life. These collisions often cause catastrophic injuries and significant property damage, and when a tractor-trailer is overly heavy from excess cargo, the consequences can be even more severe.
If you were impacted by a trucking collision, speak with a lawyer who regularly handles overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Marietta. Call our law firm to learn how we could help you hold the driver and trucking company accountable and pursue the compensation you need.