Every day thousands of semi-trucks travel over Georgia roads, hauling cargo. Trucks are an essential part of our economy, transporting goods all across society. As a driver, you may encounter several every day during your commute, going to school, or running errands. Although the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety closely regulates the commercial trucking industry, truck accidents still occur.
The Importance of a Properly Loaded Truck
The trucking industry is highly regulated to keep all drivers on the road as safe as possible. The regulations for commercial trucks include restrictions on how much weight can be hauled. According to the Georgia Department of Safety, loaded trucks cannot weigh more than 80,000 pounds.
Wight limits are important because the design of trucks gives them a higher center of gravity. This makes them more unstable than other types of vehicles. An oversized load makes this situation even worse, which may result in a truck accident if it cannot stop in time due to its weight.
Overloading affects steering, braking, and controlling speed. Overloaded trucks must go slower going up and down steep roadways. A truck with an oversized load takes longer to stop than a properly loaded truck. And brakes can fail when placed under undue strain. The proper loading of a truck’s freight is crucial to road safety.
Not only can overloading a truck be hazardous to all on the road, but improperly loaded cargo, even within weight limits, can cause truck accidents. Because of the higher center of gravity, cargo piled up high or heavy cargo on top means a truck is more likely to tip over. These improper loads are most dangerous in curves or if a truck swerves to avoid a hazard in the road.
Who is Liable When a Truck Accident Occurs?
When there is a truck accident due to an oversized load, a few different parties may be liable, or even share liability. A truck driver is ultimately responsible for the operation of their truck. But liability can be shared with another party that isn’t even present at the time of the truck accident – the freight loading company. In many instances, truck drivers have no part in loading cargo on their trucks. It is the cargo company that is responsible for loading freight in a safe manner.
If an oversized load caused a truck accident in which you were involved, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Call the Fry Law Team today at 404-969-1284 to set up a legal consultation.