Tampa Overweight Vehicles/Overloaded Trucks Accident Lawyer

Regardless of the factors precipitating an accident between a heavy truck and a conventional passenger car, the resulting harm to those in the latter vehicle is often truly profound. Such outcomes are especially tragic when they are caused by avoidable cargo overloading of the big rig involved. If you have suffered serious injuries under circumstances of this sort, a Tampa overweight vehicles/overloaded trucks accident lawyer can offer the assistance you need. Contact a professional lawyer today.

Facts About Overweight/Overloaded Trucks

The operation of heavy trucks on the open road is a highly regulated endeavor not just in Florida, but across the United States. As such, specific trucks are designed so that they can carry a defined amount of weight in a safe and effective manner. The top end of permissible weight is articulated by the so-called “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating,” which is determined through an assessment of a given rig’s brake system, axles, frame design, suspension type and powertrain.

Acceptable loads are governed under a system of federal as well as state regulations which must be closely followed by trucking companies and operators themselves. Weigh stations along the roadways are intended to prevent truckers from driving overweight vehicles, but as a practical matter, they do not always succeed. Any failure to heed weight restrictions which results in a serious injury accident can produce significant liability for those found responsible.

Potential Hazards

When a truck is carrying an excessive load, it is alarmingly easy for its driver to lose control and cause an accident. Trucks that are too heavy are far more difficult to maneuver on the road, and their braking, tires and suspension systems can suffer and even fail under the extra weight. Overloaded trucks that need to make unexpected or abrupt stops are at increased risk of rolling over or jack-knifing onto other vehicles, particularly when cargo begins shifting from within the trailer.

Establishing Liability in Overloaded Truck Cases

Victims of overloaded trucks routinely suffer catastrophic injuries that produce substantial physical, financial and emotional losses. As such, it is important for those individuals to prove negligence and liability on the part of another in order to secure monetary compensation. Trucking companies themselves may be found liable for permitting a truck to be overloaded, for negligent supervision of loading personnel or for encouraging an operator in its employ to thwart weight and loading regulations.

Because time is of the essence when it comes to proving negligence in an overloaded truck case, a skilled overweight vehicles/overloaded trucks accident attorney will immediately set to work preserving key evidence, compiling documentation of losses sustained and aligning with subject matter experts such as engineers, doctors and accident reconstruction analysts.

Compensation Available for Incidents

As is the case with other types of accidents involving heavy trucks, incidents related to overweight or improperly loaded have the potential to yield significant financial recovery for victims. Because injuries commonly run the gamut from broken bones, deep lacerations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage and the like, it may be possible to secure payment for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, emotional strain, lost wages and more.

Accountability for Victims

There is no excuse for a trucking company’s failure to enforce prevailing weight and loading regulations each and every time a big rig hits the open road in Florida. If you are among those who have suffered injuries and other losses due to this sort of negligent operation of a tractor-trailer, a Tampa overweight vehicles/overloaded trucks accident lawyer is prepared to fight tirelessly on your behalf.