Michigan Overloaded Truck Accidents

Even though many states have passed laws that prohibit truck owners and drivers from carrying too much in one load, many trucks on the road still haul massive, unsafe cargo. When a truck carries too much weight, it is more difficult to control. As a result, it is prone to tipping or rolling over and causing serious accidents.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan overloaded truck accident, you might be able to pursue compensation with the help of a tenacious lawyer. By working with a dedicated attorney, you could rest assured that a legal professional is working to gather evidence and file a claim on your behalf.

• Wide-Load Trucks
• Who is Responsible for an Overloaded or Wide-Load Truck Crash?
• Contact a Lawyer for a Michigan Overloaded Truck Accident

The Dangers Posed by Overloaded Tractor-Trailers

Due to their size and weight, trucks pose a significant danger to other motorists on the road. When a tractor-trailer or semi-truck carries an excessive load, however, this hazard only increases. This is because:

• Overloaded trucks carry so much weight it might be difficult to stop them when traveling up or downhill
• Excess weight can put additional pressure on tires, making them more prone to blowouts
• Trucks with excess weight are more likely to lose their cargo while driving—especially at high speeds
• These trucks are more likely to turn over when making sharp turns
• Trucks with excessive have much longer stopping distances—this prevents them from making sudden stops

These or other hazards created by a truck with an excessive load poses a variety of risks to all motorists on the road. As a result, truckers and trucking companies are obligated to do everything in their power to avoid overloading their semi-trucks and 18-wheelers. A seasoned lawyer who help an injured motorist by assessing the circumstances surrounding a Michigan overloaded truck crash and work to determine who might be held responsible.

Wide-Load Trucks

Wide-load trucks are common throughout American roadways. These trucks often carry large items such as mobile homes, construction equipment, or smaller passenger vehicles. Wide-load trucks often take up multiple lanes and require more expertise to drive.

However, when they are loaded with too much cargo, they could become difficult or even impossible to control under certain conditions. Furthermore, if the cargo becomes detached, it could cause a severe collision.

Who is Responsible for an Overloaded or Wide-Load Truck Crash?

When determining who is responsible for an overloaded truck accident, a Michigan lawyer might be able to name multiple parties as defendants. For example, the truck driver is often to blame for a crash if they were distracted, intoxicated, tired, or otherwise negligent while behind the wheel.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, trucking companies have an obligation to ensure that their drivers are not handling overloaded or improperly wide-loaded vessels. If a company outsources its loading, the obligation still exists to ensure the loading company is safely and responsibly performing their duties.

Prior to sending a driver on a trip, trucking companies should ensure their trucks are properly inspected and not loaded with too much equipment. Similarly, they must ensure that cargo is safely secured on wide-load trucks. While this is a simple step that can prevent accidents, many companies, unfortunately, refuse to take them. Companies who are uninterested in safety precautions should be held liable if one of their vehicles causes a crash.

Contact a Lawyer to Pursue Compensation for a Michigan Overloaded Truck Accident

Because of the dangers of overloaded cargo, it is crucial that truck drivers and trucking companies adhere to safety guidelines and restrictions when loading their semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers. Unfortunately, these rules are frequently disregarded, which means crashes involving trucks that are hauling far too much cargo are common in Michigan.

If you or a loved one was injured in a Michigan overloaded truck accident, you might benefit from retaining an experienced lawyer pursue compensation against the responsible parties. Call an attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. today to begin working on a claim today.