The Dangers of Overloaded Trucks

In a collision between a truck and a car, the truck will always dominate based on the weight and size of the rig. That holds true even if the truck is empty. However, with a full load, that truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Those are the restrictions put in place by every state, including the Illinois Department of Transportation. That represents 40 tons of steel and cargo driving at a high speed, and the force of impact in a collision can be devastating for the car on the receiving end.

This is why truck drivers need to undergo additional training and certification before they can get behind the wheel. It is also why there are specific requirements for securing cargo. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes and maintains those regulations.

The following are some of the inherent dangers of overloaded trucks that every driver needs to be aware of.

Compromised Braking Distance

There are three factors involved in braking distance: the speed you drive, your reaction to the incident, and the braking. Physicists came up with a mathematical formula for braking distance. However, the University of Utah simplified the formula. A fully loaded truck needs approximately the distance of two football fields to come to a complete stop. There can be many cars within that distance that the truck could slam into.

Reduced Maneuverability

An overloaded truck increases the risk of a jackknife accident. This occurs when the weight of the trailer forces it to swing to the left or right of the cab when the driver loses control. In that scenario, the trailer can sweep into cars in other lanes.

Rollover Accidents

A truck driving on a flat, straight road is safe. However, the moment the truck needs to make a sharp turn on an exit, the overloaded cargo can shift, causing a rollover accident. There can also be stability issues if the truck is driving through terrain with high winds.

Tire Blowouts

One of the recommendations for increasing your car’s fuel efficiency is to reduce the amount of weight in your car. A truck with a cargo doesn’t have that option. As a result of that added weight, pressure can build up on the truck’s tire, causing it to blow out. That can trigger a chain reaction of accidents as the truck driver struggles to get the rig under control and other motorists swerve to avoid the debris.

Strain on Mechanical Components

The added weight of an overloaded truck puts a strain on the truck’s brakes, suspension and other mechanical components in the truck. If any of those systems breaks down on the road, it increases the likelihood of an accident.

Improper Cargo Distribution and its Consequences

A truck can only operate safely if its cargo has been properly loaded and secured. Unsafe cargo distribution in the truck trailer can affect the vehicle’s maneuverability, especially if the driver brakes to avoid a collision. Poor weight distribution can lead to jackknifing, resulting in severe overload truck accidents and injuries.

Establishing Liability in Truck Accident

Because of the federal regulations that govern the trucking industry, there will be investigations by those federal agencies into any truck accident. The majority of truck drivers will not load their cargo. That is the responsibility of crews at the warehouse facility. With an accident that involves an overloaded cargo, those crews could be held partially liable.

Gathering evidence will be crucial to establish liability in this type of accident. That evidence can include the weight tickets generated at a weight station, maintenance records for the truck, and previous accident reports. Evidence can also include a reconstruction of the accident to establish how the overloaded cargo contributed to the collision.

Once the evidence has been collected, an experienced attorney can prove negligence on the part of the cargo loaders and the trucking company responsible for overseeing their operations.

Staying Safe on the Road

Because of the size of their rigs, truck drivers and trucking companies owe a duty of care to other drivers on the road. There are certain steps that they can take in order to ensure that safety. Here are some of the preventive measures that can increase safety and minimize the risk of accidents.

Enforcing Regulations

As mentioned, the FMCSA has instituted a comprehensive set of cargo securement regulations that provide guidance for how trucks should be loaded. A stricter enforcement of those weight limits and securement requirements can help prevent overloading. Trucking companies have a responsibility to comply with those requirements.

Improved Technology

Trucking companies should adapt their fleets to the latest technology, including automatic braking systems and load sensors. Those enhancements can reduce the risk of accidents.

Driver Education

The training that a truck driver goes through to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) requires an understanding of how cargo loads are meant to be secured.  After all, those drivers need to inspect their cargo along their routes. If there is a shift in the cargo, those drivers need to be able to rescue the load.

Getting Legal Advice

If you have been involved in a collision with an overloaded truck, you deserve to explore all your options for compensation. The attorneys at Thomas Law Offices have decades of combined experience helping clients recover from truck accidents. We have a team of skilled investigators who will help gather evidence. We also have the negotiating skills to take on the insurance companies and trucking companies to help our clients achieve the maximum benefits they are entitled to. Your first free case evaluation can answer all those questions.