The threat of a truck accident can cause life-changing injuries to a person; these life-changing injuries are increased further in the presence of overloaded/trucks. These can be trucks losing their legal weight limits or unbalanced trucks. Strict regulations are put in place to prevent such vehicles from being on the road; however, some truck drivers still manage to break the law, which results in catastrophic accidents.
Taking precautions after understanding the implications of an overloaded truck accident is crucial, especially if you or your loved one is involved. The best way to deal with it is by hiring an attorney who knows how to handle these situations professionally. Read on to learn more about the injuries overloaded trucks can cause and the reasons that make overloaded trucks dangerous.
What Is an Overloaded Truck?
An overloaded truck exceeds the gross weight limit decided by the Ohio Department of Transportation, which can result in various dangers. These gross weight limits help protect the roads, bridges, and infrastructure from damage. The state of Ohio has a limit of eighty-thousand pounds for gross vehicle weight, but the restriction may be additional depending on the type of vehicle and road.
The ODOT monitors, and checks for excessive vehicle axle weights using weigh stations, roadside inspections, and random checks. If any driver or trucking company lets a truck cross either of these limits, fines or punishments may be applied. Regardless of these regulations and checks, some overloaded trucks can escape, posing a huge threat to other road users.
How Overloaded Trucks Lead Cause Accidents
Overloading a vehicle increases the accident risk in several respects.
1) Truck Rollovers
An increase in the load moves the truck’s entire center of gravity forward, making it vulnerable to rolling over during sharp turns and at very high speeds. The Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM) states that poorly loaded cargo makes the driver’s vehicle most prone to rollover crashes. Such events tend to cause major injuries to all passengers in the truck’s path.
2) Tire Blowouts
Of course, overloaded trucks will put extra strain on their vehicles’ tires, increasing the chances of a tire blowing out. A tire blowing out suddenly may make a driver incapable of controlling the vehicle, which poses a danger to the other motorists. Blowouts may also trigger rollovers, which increases the threat.
3) Falling or Spilling Cargo
If freight is not properly restrained, it can fall off the truck. This is a serious threat for vehicles driving alongside the truck or a little behind it; motorcyclists are more vulnerable. Vehicles being struck can get into car pileups and may sustain life-threatening injuries.
Common Injuries in Overloaded Truck Accidents
As for overloaded trucks, such machines make conditions that, in the event of a knocking accident, may result in irreversible, grievous injuries. People injured in these accidents may suffer from:
- Injuries to the spine
- Injuries to the brain
- Neck injuries
- Pervasive burning
- Limb amputations
- Deep cuts
- Quadriplegia or paraplegia
- Pulled muscles
- Fractured bones
- Death
The complications mentioned above are always responsible for exorbitant bills at hospitals, gradual healing, and mental disorders. Wrongful death refers to a case in which tipping over a truck kills a person, and the family members of that person can sue for wrongful death to get some money for their lost family member.
Conclusion
If you or someone close to you is in a severe situation during an overloaded truck accident or, for that matter, any accident, always make sure to contact a good lawyer first.
An expert personal injury lawyer can safeguard your legal interests and prepare your best case; thus, always contact one as soon as possible. They are involved in accumulating vital proof, bargaining with the insurers, and bringing forth compensation suitable for expenditures related to health aspects, income losses, and mental pain.
Truck accident attorneys can provide direction in pursuing the case and assist the claimant in intending to get the compensation they rightfully deserve. There’s no need to delay anymore, so ensure you have someone on your side and act accordingly.