Fort Myers Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyer
The car that you drive every day probably weighs around 4,000 pounds. That might sound like a lot until you compare it with a commercial truck. An 18-wheeler that is fully loaded with cargo, for example, can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This enormous weight difference puts anyone in the smaller vehicle at serious risk of injury or death in the event of a collision with the larger vehicle.
Despite strict limits on their weight, many commercial trucks are overloaded or improperly loaded while on the road. This only adds to the risk of a serious accident. If you or someone that you loved has been hurt in a crash involving a commercial vehicle and you believe excess weight may have been a contributing factor, the Fort Myers overloaded truck accident lawyers at Cardinal Law, P.A., can review your case and advise you on potential legal action. An overloaded truck is almost always the result of negligence, and as such the responsible parties can be required to pay compensation to any innocent victims.
Overloaded Trucks Are Often a Chain of Failures
An overloaded truck accident is often the result of a chain of failures. It starts with the company responsible for loading the tractor-trailer’s cargo in the first place. The truck driver and the trucking company must also have proper procedures in place to ensure that their truck’s weight does not exceed what is considered safe under federal and state regulations. The driver must also not take actions to avoid detection of an overloaded truck, such as ignoring weigh stations or mandatory check-in points along the highway.
Oftentimes, these parties choose to ignore weight limits because they are trying to squeeze a few extra dollars out of a delivery. But the reality is that an overloaded truck is dangerous for everyone involved, including the truck driver. An overloaded truck is often unstable and difficult to steer. The excess weight also increases the time and distance necessary to safely brake the vehicle to avoid a collision. The additional strain on the trailer itself can also lead to a mechanical failure such as a blown tire.
Contact Cardinal Law Today
Accidents caused by overloaded or improperly loaded semi-trucks often lead to catastrophic injuries. Victims may sustain traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, lost limbs, and permanent paralysis. These are often permanent, life-altering injuries that will require a lifetime of medical care and the permanent loss of income. Additionally, many victims die as a result of their injuries, leaving their families with an incalculable loss.
No amount of money can undo this sort of damage. But the law makes it possible for victims and their families to seek compensation as part of the healing process. A negligent truck driver or trucking company can be required to compensate their victims for both economic losses and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or the loss of a loved one’s companionship and support.
So if you need to speak with a Fort Myers overloaded truck accident lawyer, contact Cardinal Law, P.A., today to schedule a free initial consultation.
