Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Charleston County

Overloaded and overweight trucks can greatly increase the risk of a crash, with drivers, trucking companies, and other parties potentially liable if these hazards cause injuries and other damages. If overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Charleston County resulted from negligence, injury victims may be able to recover compensation with an injury claim.

Learn about what kinds of risks can come with overloading and exceeding the weight capacity of trucks, and find out how a tractor-trailer wreck attorney may be able to help you bring a claim against liable drivers or other parties.

The Risks of an Overloaded or Overweight Truck

The risk of an accident is much higher with overloaded or overweight trucks, making it important for drivers, loaders, trucking companies, and other individuals in Charleston County to avoid exceeding a truck’s weight limit.

Every truck has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that the manufacturer designates, giving truckers and others set guidelines to avoid going over a vehicle’s allotted weight. However, there is a universal federal GVWR for all trucks, as no vehicle can carry more than 80,000 lbs. Too much weight could translate to a high-impact accident with devastating results.

Common Causes of Overloaded/Overweight Tractor-Trailer Crashes

Overloaded/overweight big rig accidents in Charleston County can occur due to various reasons.

Slowed Brake Times

With too much weight, a truck could gain more momentum when traveling at high speeds, making it harder for truckers to apply the brakes in time to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Conversely, drivers may struggle to drive uphill as the weight pulls the vehicle back, potentially causing the truck to reverse.

The Inability to Steer

Trucks carrying too much weight or improperly loaded cargo can make it difficult to steer them, potentially causing the driver to lose control. When attempting to steer or slow down, overloaded and overweight trucks, especially tractor-trailers, are more likely to get into rollover accidents.

Shifting Cargo

Overloaded vehicles may also experience shifts in truck beds or trailers, causing the truck to lose balance and potentially topple over or trailers to swing into other vehicles.

However, this is not a comprehensive list, so it is important to consult a lawyer about filing a claim.

Who Is Liable for Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents?

Multiple parties may be responsible for injuries and other types of damages resulting from overloaded and overweight truck crashes in Charleston County.

These individuals and entities could include:

• Drivers: Oftentimes, truck drivers are liable when they fail to properly inspect or load their cargo
• Vendors: Suppliers and manufacturers of products should also know what regulations and weight limits apply to their products and shipments
• Trucking Companies: In other cases, trucking companies could be responsible if they fail to warn drivers not to overload their vehicles or neglect to properly monitor drivers
• Loading Dock Workers: Professionals at loading docks, either those loading a truck or supervising the loading process, could be liable if they do not ensure that loads remain under designated weight limits

Any of these and even other parties may be liable and need to pay out compensation to accident injury victims.

Talk to Us After an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Wreck in Charleston County

Following overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Charleston County, you could open a case against the parties who caused the collision and subsequent damages, including economic and non-economic damages. Having an experienced attorney by your side could help you succeed with a claim or lawsuit.

Reach out to an experienced lawyer to schedule a consultation today.