Why Is It Dangerous To Overload A Truck?
Trucks deliver essential goods across Kentucky and the U.S. at large. Usually, the more goods a trucking company can deliver, the more money the company can make. Because of this, some companies choose to overload trucks. Trucking companies do this despite there being laws in place that regulate the weight and size of the load a truck can carry. Unfortunately, overloading trucks is quite dangerous. An overloaded truck is at a greater risk of getting into an accident. In fact, truck overloading is among the most common causes of truck accidents.
If you have suffered injuries in a crash involving an overloaded truck, you may be eligible to file an accident claim and recover compensation for your injuries and damages. Overloading a truck is considered negligence. If you have suffered injuries due to an overloaded truck, consider contacting a qualified truck accident attorney for legal help.
Why It Is Dangerous to Overload a Truck
An overloaded truck is at a greater risk of getting into a crash. But how exactly does overloading a truck increase the risk of an accident? The following are some of the ways overloading a truck can increase the risk of an accident:
Reducing Stopping Power
Trucks generally have much longer stopping distances than smaller vehicles. When a truck is overloaded, it becomes more difficult for the driver to put it to a stop. In other words, when a truck is overloaded, the stopping distance increases. If a truck is overloaded, a driver may be unable to stop in time, for example, to avoid a hazard. In fact, if a truck is overloaded, the brakes may completely fail to work. If that happens, a trucker could lose control and end up causing a serious accident.
Causing Tire Blowouts
An overloaded truck can put excess pressure on the tires, which could lead to the tires wearing out faster. This could, in turn, lead to a tire blowout. When a tire blows out, it causes the truck’s cargo to shift and move around. This movement can cause a truck to roll over. The results can be devastating if a truck’s tire blows out in the middle of a busy highway. A tire blowout can cause a fatal accident.
Causing Mechanical Failures
Besides causing tires to wear out faster, an overloaded truck can cause many other mechanical failures. For example, a truck’s suspension may be damaged due to overloading. Suspension systems help maximize the friction between a vehicle’s tires and the road. When friction is maximized, it makes it easier for a driver to steer their vehicle with more stability. When the suspension experiences strain, it may negatively affect how the truck responds to impacts.
Making It Difficult To Control
It can be difficult to control an overloaded truck, especially during bad weather conditions like the rainy season. When a truck is overloaded, it can result in a jackknife accident. This type of accident happens when the trailer part of a truck folds onto the front part. In the case of an overloaded truck, the braking force might not be enough to stop the trailer safely.
Contact a London Truck Accident Attorney
Have you suffered injuries in a crash involving an overloaded truck? Contact a skilled and dedicated London truck accident attorney at Cessna & George Law Firm.
Source:
injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/
