Overloaded Trucks and Truck Accidents

Although trucks are designed and intended to haul heavy loads long distances, there is a maximum weight that they can carry, and many states have enacted laws to ensure that trucks do not carry more than this maximum weight when traveling on the state’s roadways. In Illinois, as in many other states, the weight restrictions for commercial trucks vary according to the number of axles the trucks have, with the largest trucks legally not permitted to exceed a weight of 80,000 pounds. While it’s crucial that truck drivers and trucking companies abide by these weight restrictions and do not overload their trucks in order to avoid getting penalize, compliance with these weight restrictions is also essential to reducing the risk of serious truck accidents.

Some of the ways in which overloaded trucks can increase the risk of serious truck accidents include by:

• Making it significantly more difficult for truck drivers to steer trucks, as the bulk of the truck’s weight shifted to the rear of the vehicle
• Increasing the time it takes to stop trucks (especially if trucks are traveling downhill), which can be particularly dangerous when truck drivers need to suddenly step on the brakes to avoid a collision
• Increasing the risk of vehicle equipment malfunctions, as many pieces of trucks’ equipment are not design to be able to support such excessive weight (For example, tire blowouts are more likely to occur with overloaded trucks)
• Increasing the risk of road collapse, especially in cases when overloaded trucks are traveling on highway overpasses or bridges
• Increasing the risk of a truck rollover accident, as overloaded trucks tend to have a higher center of gravity than trucks that properly loaded.

Mount Vernon Truck Accident Lawyers

At the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C., our experienced Mount Vernon truck accident lawyers have been providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients since 1950. Our trusted attorneys focus on our clients’ needs, and we do everything we can to help them get the maximum possible compensation for their losses and injuries so they can focus on recovery and moving on with their life. If you have been injure in a truck accident or in any type of traffic accident, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 for a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.