Overweight trucks are a major hazard on the roads and highways surrounding Pensacola. These vehicles are not only difficult to control, but they also are more likely to cause severe injuries in a collision with a passenger vehicle.
If you have been hurt in an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Pensacola, you might be entitled to a monetary award. The right attorney can work tirelessly to help you get the compensation you need. Instead of handling your case alone, let an experienced truck crash lawyer at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon act on your behalf.
Why Overloaded Tractor-Trailers Are Dangerous
Overloading is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for everyone else on the road. These trucks are designed to handle a limited amount of weight, and going beyond that amount can strain the vehicle’s structure. Over time, the weight can cause the trailer to break down or become unstable. Other incidents, like tire blowouts, become much more likely when a vehicle is too heavy.
Overweight trucks are also difficult to operate. Large vehicles need plenty of space on the road to come to a complete stop. The heavier the truck, the longer it will take the vehicle to halt. This can increase the risk of a rear-end collision, given that many truckers might not be able to stop their vehicle before striking a slowing car in front of them.
In addition to increasing the risk of a crash, overloaded vehicles also cause severe injuries. The additional weight only increases the impact caused by a commercial truck striking a smaller passenger car. The resulting injuries can be catastrophic.
Understanding Load Limits
The trucking industry is heavily regulated on a state and federal level, and this includes limits on how much these vehicles weigh. Federal regulations place a hard limit of 80,000 pounds for any tractor-trailer rig, but certain types of vehicles face additional limitations.
Vehicles with fewer axles face much steeper limitations. For example, a truck with a single axle can weigh no more than 20,000 pounds. Longer vehicles are allowed to carry higher loads, but the limits assigned to each type of truck are firm and strictly enforced.
State regulations mirror the federal rules, with a firm limit of 80,000 pounds for the largest trucks. There are also laws limiting where heavier trucks are allowed to travel in Florida, including in Pensacola, as certain roads are off-limits. There is a permit process for the limited operation of overweight trucks.
The Potential for Compensation
You have the chance to recover compensation following an accident with an overloaded commercial truck in Pensacola. The damages available to you depend on the severity of your injuries as well as your other losses. Our team of dedicated legal professionals can help you evaluate your case and pursue the compensation you deserve. Some common types of damages include the following:
- Past and future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of companionship
- Property damage
- Scarring or disfigurement
While no attorney can guarantee your case will be successful, our team will work tirelessly to pursue the best available outcome.
Talk to a Pensacola Attorney After an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accident
If you were hurt through no fault of your own in an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Pensacola, now is the time to speak with legal counsel. The team at Emmanuel Sheppard & Condon can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover. Call as soon as possible for a private consultation.
