Omaha Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyer

Commercial trucks are heavier and much more difficult to control than regular vehicles. For safety reasons, truck companies and driver must make sure their trucks are within the weight guidelines. Unfortunately, drivers and/or their employers may ignore these guidelines and cause a collision. If you have been injured in a truck accident, call an Omaha overloaded truck accident lawyer at Inkelaar Law. An experienced attorney can assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve.

Maximum Weight for Trucks

There are federally-regulated and state-regulated maximum weights that govern how much a truck can carry in a load. Weight limits depend on the type of vehicle and the number of axles the truck has. For example, a tandem axle can carry 34,000 pounds and a single axle can carry 20,000 pounds. Most companies have scales or connections with companies that can assist them in weighing their vehicles. If a truck driver drives over the legal weight limit, then they could be liable for any accidents that occur.

Carrying too Much Cargo

Sometimes a truck may meet the acceptable standards of weight but is carrying too much cargo. When a truck is hauling too much cargo, it can affect the stopping distance of the vehicle and the ability to control it. An overloaded vehicle can affect the ability of a truck driver to make turns or change lanes, causing the load to shift and potentially causing the vehicle to tip over. An overloaded truck can also put enormous pressure on the tires. Tires are designed to carry a certain weight limit and operating above the acceptable weight could cause undue risk for the truck and the other vehicles. An overloaded or overweight truck is also prone to tire blowouts.

Injuries

The injuries associated with a truck collision can be very severe due to the sheer size of the vehicle. Injuries in a truck accident may include:

• Back;
• Neck;
• Broken bones;
• Paralysis;
• Traumatic brain injury; and
• Death.

If you are ever in a truck accident, it is crucial to seek medical care and then after doing so, call an Omaha overloaded truck accident attorney at Inkeelar Law.

Risks to Infrastructure

Not only do overloaded trucks pose a risk for other drivers but also to infrastructure. An overloaded truck can increase road erosion, damaged underpasses, and damaged bridges. Roads are designed with load limits for vehicles. If a trucker violates the weight guidelines, then infrastructure can suffer

Assigning Fault

The truck driver and/or the trucking company can be found liable for accidents that happened due to overweight or overloaded trucks. If the truck driver is an independent driver, it is more than likely that only the truck driver would be found responsible for the overload.

Assigning fault in an overloaded truck collision can be difficult, however, an Omaha overloaded truck accident lawyer at Inkeelar Law can help you. Our attorneys have plenty of experience with knowing what evidence is going to be needed and how to tell your story so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule a consultation with a dedicated lawyer.