Mission Viejo Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyer

Without question, semi-trucks play a vital role within the United States economy. For safety reasons, by law, commercial trucks are not allowed to be in excess of 80,000 pounds. Because there is a shortage of drivers nationally, and due to the trucking companies’ relentless desire to increase profits, certain drivers and/or their employers overload or improperly load their trucks.

Unfortunately, due to the large size of these transportation trucks and the speed at which they travel, accidents can and do occur. Such crashes can result in severe injuries, and even death. If you or a loved one has been in an overloaded truck accident in Mission Viejo, swiftly consult with experienced truck accident lawyers.  A Mission Viejo overloaded truck accident lawyer can help you fully understand and comprehend the legal process involved in a lawsuit and the potential recoverable damages.

Problems with Overloaded Trucks

When a trucking company and its employees fail to follow the law regarding weight limitations on semi-trucks, this poses many problems that can prove quite dangerous. Common problems presented by overloaded trucks typically include:

• When weight is added to a vehicle, more time is needed to stop the vehicle. Should a driver of a truck need to make a sudden stop, the extra weight in the vehicle can make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to stop if they are following the car ahead of them too closely.
• The more weight in a vehicle, the more likely it will be for the vehicle to flip over and cause an accident.
• The greater the weight in the semi-truck, the higher the risk that the truck could experience a broken axel. Of course, this can cause the vehicle to lose control and cause an accident.
• The greater the weight, the greater the chances that there will be a strain when the driver goes to apply the brakes.
• Difficulties are exacerbated when adverse weather conditions are presented, such as with snow, ice, rain and strong winds. If a truck is overloaded in these conditions, it worsens matters considerably.

Common Misconceptions

Mission Viejo overloaded truck accident lawyers have seen many people, truck drivers included, not really know how perilous it is for a semi-truck to be overloaded beyond the applicable regulations. It needs to be noted that how a vehicle is loaded is also very important. Just because a truck is loaded under the 80,000-pound limit does not at all mean that the vehicle is loaded safely. Balance and gravity are critically important. The items loaded need to be secure and packed and remain in place such that the vehicle is always in balance.

Help from a Lawyer

Given semi-trucks’ large size and the speeds they travel, these vehicles can cause immense damage. When a vehicle is improperly loaded, it further enhances the risk of accident and severe injuries. Serious truck accidents may have a significant impact on a victim’s daily life.  Truck accident victims may recover noneconomic, economic, and perhaps punitive damages.  If you or a loved one has been injured, you should call a Mission Viejo overloaded truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.