• Intrastate Commercial Vehicle Regulations
• Overloaded & Overweight Vehicles
• Faulty Equipment & Improper Maintenance
• Hiring, Training & Supervision of Drivers
• Speeding
• Driver Fatigue
• Drug & Alcohol Abuse
• Driver Logs
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

Seeking Compensation for Overweight Truck Accidents

If you have been seriously injured or lost a loved one in a truck accident caused by a truck that did not stop fast enough, moved erratically or dropped cargo, there is a strong likelihood that the truck was overloaded in a clear violation of safety guidelines.

At the Birmingham, Alabama, law firm of Fischer Goldasich, LLC, we hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable for accidents caused by overloaded and overweight vehicles. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney to discuss your case.

Understanding the Dangers of Overloaded Vehicles

An overloaded truck is a clear example of an improper use of the vehicle that can create several serious accident-causing circumstances, including but not limited to the following:

• Braking system failure: The brakes on a truck are designed to handle the amount of weight the truck is meant to carry. In an overloaded vehicle, the brakes can fail precisely when the driver needs them to avoid causing an accident.
• Increased stopping distance: Even when the brakes work properly, an overloaded vehicle needs more time and distance to stop, particularly from a higher speed. If the driver is not attuned to this issue, he or she can end up running a stop sign or red light.
• Altered handling dynamics: A quick lane change or other maneuver on the road may have unpredictable results when a vehicle is overloaded. Again, if the driver is used to carrying lighter loads, a wrong move can cause a serious accident.
• Shifting of loads: In trucks that are loaded beyond what they are designed for, loads are often improperly secured and can shift during driving, causing serious consequences such as falling material and overturning of the truck.

Federal and Alabama motor carrier safety regulations contain restrictions on loads for a reason; overloading of vehicles is a dangerous and negligent practice.

Identifying What Happened and Who Was Responsible

Our attorneys have represented clients in a number of personal injury and wrongful death cases involving overloaded vehicles that caused accidents. We have experience identifying who was responsible for the overloading and putting together evidence that establishes their liability for the accident victims' injuries.

If you need help holding a truck driver or trucking company accountable for causing an accident by overloading a vehicle, contact us to discuss your options with one of our experienced personal injury and wrongful death lawyers.