Atlanta Vehicle Load Lawyer
Vehicles that carry improperly secured and/or excessive loads are a danger to us all. This is especially true of commercial trucks. Those who chose to operate their vehicles in a dangerous manner should be held responsible for the injuries and damage they cause. Please contact us online or call Ponton Law today at 404-902-3154 to discuss how we can get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
A Load’s Impact on Truck Driving
According to a report published by the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Safety, almost half of all studied truck rollovers “resulted from failing to adjust speed to curves in the road, (mostly on-and off-ramps), the load being carried, condition of the brakes, road surface, and intersection conditions.”
A load can negatively impact the driving of a commercial truck in three major ways:
- Uneven Load. An uneven load occurs when the load being transported is improperly secured leading to the weight of the load being primarily to one side of the truck. This imbalance can lead the truck to react in an unanticipated manner to road conditions. For example, an uneven load can pull a truck away from the road when the truck attempts to make a turn.
- Shifting Load. A shifting load can be especially dangerous because the load can move from location to location creating weight distribution that is not anticipated or controlled. For example, trucks carrying liquids can have a more difficult time stopping quickly as the liquid being carried will push the truck forward as the driver attempts to slow down.
- Excessive Load. An excessive load is also very dangerous as it places burdens on the truck that the truck was never meant to handle. An excessive load could lead to the truck not being able to stop properly or limit the truck’s ability to react to changing road conditions.
Fortunately, these issues are generally preventable and drivers can take steps to limit these dangers. For example, a truck driver carrying liquids that may shift and cause control issues should drive more slowly and cautiously. Drivers should be held responsible for the injuries they cause when they fail to act responsibly.
Are There Rules Regulating the Loads That Trucks Carry?
According to the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the following are the mandated maximum weights for commercial trucks under federal law:
- 80,000 pounds total gross vehicle weight,
- 20,000 pounds for single axle weight, and
- 34,000 pounds for tandem axle weight.
These rules apply to commercial trucks but there are similar rules for non-commercial vehicles. Furthermore, each state has its own trucking and load regulations. This is one of the reasons states will have weigh stations near the state boarder. Once a truck enters the state its cargo is checked and the truck is weighed.
Failing to comply with weight standards and regulations can be an indication of reckless or negligent behavior. Your legal team at Ponton Law is dedicated to a complete investigation of your accident.
What Should I Do if I Have Been Injured in a Trucking Accident?
Proving that a truck was carrying a load in an unsafe manner can be difficult. It is important to get an experienced accident attorney involved quickly. At Ponton Law we will work with the appropriate professionals to review the facts surrounding your accident to help make a determination of liability.
Please contact us online or call Ponton Law today at 404-902-3154 if you have been injured by a truck that improperly secured its load.