Overloading trucks or loading trucks improperly can create a serious risk for everyone on the road. A truck that has too much cargo, or unstable cargo, is significantly more likely to become involved in a collision that causes harm to others.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident because of truck loading problems, you need help from an experienced attorney. You need a lawyer who knows South Carolina laws and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, who can help you to determine which defendants can be held liable for your losses, and who can help you to fight for justice.
Marc Brown Law Firm is the place to turn to find a South Florida truck accident lawyer who is ready to fight for you. Our legal team has experience representing crash victims, we’ve recovered millions, and we care about every client.
To find out more about how we can put our legal knowledge to work on your claim, give us a call or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.
What are overloaded or improperly loaded trucks?
Many types of loading problems can occur with commercial motor vehicles. Some common examples include:
- Overloaded trucks that exceed the manufacturer’s weight limit or the standard 80,000-pound weight limit in South Carolina without a proper waiver.
- Trucks that are improperly loaded because they are unbalanced, which means the cargo isn’t properly centered, with the weight evenly distributed.
- Trucks that are improperly loaded because the load is unsecured, with items not strapped in or tied down.
- Oversized loads, with cargo that exceeds the standard height, width, and length
There are many regulations in place to ensure truckers and trucking companies don’t make these errors. For example, 49 CF.R. section 393.100 indicates that “secure cargo requirements prevent cargo from leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling from a commercial motor vehicle.” Some of the regulations designed to prevent these issues include:
- Maximum strength requirements for the devices that are used to secure cargo
- Requirements preventing the movement of cargo
- Rules for securing specific kinds of loads
If the unsafe loading practices violate Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, violate South Carolina laws, or are viewed as being unreasonably negligent, the trucker and trucking company responsible could be held liable for any resulting accidents.
How do overloaded or improperly loaded trucks cause accidents?
Unsafe and improperly loaded trucks can cause accidents in many different ways, including the following:
- Lost loads could fall on other vehicles
- Heavy cargo puts too much strain on the brakes and increases stopping distance and the rate of brake failure
- Heavy or unbalanced loads can put too much strain on the tires, increasing the risk of a blowout
- Unbalanced loads and overloaded trucks can result in rollover accidents by shifting the truck’s center of gravity
- Cargo shifts or unbalanced cargo can cause jackknife accidents, which occur when the trailer swings out from the tractor
- Heavier and unbalanced trucks are difficult to maneuver
These are just some of the many examples of the way that loading problems with trucks compromise the safety of others on the road.
How can a South Carolina truck accident lawyer help?
If you or someone you love was harmed in an accident caused by an overloaded or improperly loaded truck, or by a truck that loses its cargo, you have legal rights. You need an experienced South Carolina accident lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the FMCSA regulations and who can help you prove what went wrong.
Marc Brown Law Firm can help. Our legal team has a long history of representing clients harmed by these types of accidents, and we’ll put our knowledge to work for you. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation with a South Carolina injury attorney to learn more.