You're driving down I-70 near St. Louis when a semi-truck in the next lane begins to sway erratically. You watch in horror as the truck tips over, spilling its cargo across the highway and causing a massive pileup. As you sit in your damaged car, waiting for help to arrive, you can't help but wonder how this could have happened.
Overloaded and improperly loaded trucks pose a serious threat to everyone on Missouri roads. They can cause devastating accidents that can lead to severe injuries, high medical bills, and the inability to work. When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety by overloading vehicles or failing to secure cargo properly, they put unsuspecting motorists at risk.
The experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyers at Finney Injury Law understand the hazards of overloaded and improperly loaded cargo trucks. Here, we’ll explain federal weight regulations that trucking companies must follow, how to identify when improper cargo loading may have caused an accident, and which parties can be held liable for the resulting damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash caused by an overloaded or improperly loaded truck, our skilled legal team can help you understand your rights and options for pursuing fair compensation.
Federal Weight Regulations for Cargo Trucks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict cargo regulations for commercial trucks to ensure the safety of truck drivers and other motorists. These regulations include the following weight limits:
- Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This is the maximum operating weight of a vehicle as specified by the manufacturer. For most semi trucks, the limit is 80,000 pounds, although some specialized vehicles may have higher allowances.
- Axle weight limits. The amount of weight each axle can carry is also regulated. The front axle is limited to 12,000 pounds, while other axles are typically restricted to 34,000 pounds.
- Bridge formula. This formula calculates maximum weights for groups of axles to prevent damage to roads and bridges. It considers factors like the number of axles and the distance between them.
Violating these weight restrictions is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous. Overloaded trucks require longer stopping distances, are more prone to tire blowouts, and have a higher risk of rollover accidents. Unbalanced loads can cause a truck to jackknife or tip over when navigating turns.
Identifying Improper Loading as an Accident Cause
After a truck accident, it's not always immediately apparent that improper loading played a role. However, certain clues can indicate a loading issue:
- Spilled cargo. If the truck's contents are scattered across the road after a crash, it suggests that the load may have shifted or been unsecured.
- Uneven tire wear. Overloading puts excessive strain on tires. If investigators find that the truck's tires show uneven wear patterns, it could point to weight balance problems.
- Broken axles or suspension. The extreme stress of excess cargo can cause a truck's axles or suspension system to fail, potentially leading to a loss of control.
- Truck rollover. While many factors can contribute to a truck rollover, improper loading is a common culprit. Unbalanced or top-heavy loads make trucks more susceptible to tipping.
- Improper securement. Cargo that isn't tied down correctly can shift during transport, throwing the truck off balance. Broken straps, chains, or other securement devices suggest a loading failure at an accident scene.
An experienced St. Louis truck accident lawyer will work with accident reconstruction specialists and trucking industry experts to analyze the evidence and determine whether cargo loading violations caused the crash.
Liability for Improper Loading Goes Beyond the Driver
When an overloaded or improperly loaded truck causes an accident, the trucking company and other parties may share liability. While the driver is responsible for operating the vehicle safely, others involved in loading and securing the cargo must also follow regulations and industry best practices.
Potentially liable parties could include:
- Trucking company. If the company pressures drivers to exceed weight limits or improperly trains employees on loading procedures, it may be held responsible for the resulting accidents.
- Cargo loaders. Third-party companies that load cargo onto trucks can be liable if they do so negligently. This includes failing to properly balance weight, secure items, or heed hazardous material requirements.
- Shipping brokers. Brokers who arrange for cargo transport have a duty to select carriers that follow safety regulations. They could face liability if they knowingly hire companies with a history of violations.
- Truck or parts manufacturers. Defective vehicle components can contribute to loading-related accidents. For example, a weak or defective underride guard could allow improperly secured cargo to fall onto the road.
Pursuing compensation after a truck accident can be a complicated process. Trucking companies and their insurers often have legal teams working hard to minimize payouts. That's why it's essential to have a knowledgeable St. Louis truck accident lawyer on your side who understands the nuances of these cases and knows how to build a strong claim.
If you were hurt in an accident involving an overloaded or improperly loaded truck, the dedicated legal team at Finney Injury Law is here to help. With our extensive experience handling complex truck accident cases, we're committed to fighting for the full and fair compensation you deserve.