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Overweight/Overloaded Truck Accidents in Sugar Land

When traveling down the highway or major roadway, you may have seen a truck carrying what looks like to be a load too wide or too heavy for the truck. Although this is against the law, some trucking companies may try to deliver loads exceeding the maximum limit allowed for trucks to carry. If another driver suffers an accident due to an overloaded/overweight truck, the injured victim may be able to file a compensation claim against the driver and/or trucking company. However, before taking legal action, it is best to consult with a Sugar Land truck accident attorney.

To learn more about the legal rights afforded to victims injured by an unregulated truck, be sure to schedule a consultation today.

What is Considered an Overweight Truck?

As defined by Sugar Land and Texas truck regulations, what constitutes overweight trucks is being over the normal 80,000-pound limit. Drivers or trucking companies could obtain specific permits for a given trip, such as a one-trip permit that would allow them to go over that by 10%.

Acceptable Standard of Weight vs Too Much Cargo in Sugar Land

The difference between a truck that is too heavy and a truck that meets acceptable standards of weight but is carrying too much cargo may come down to whether the physical dimensions of the truck are obstructed by what they are carrying. For example, open-bed trailers carrying cargo too tall or too wide for other people to see around or for the truck driver to use their own mirrors could be acting against what is federally allowed.

There are also different standards for substances or items that are combustible or hazardous. If a truck is carrying a chemical that could explode, there may be more focus on how the substance is being transported as opposed to the weight of the truck.

Steps Could a Truck Driver Take to Ensure their Vehicle is of Acceptable Weight

There are several methods by which a truck driver or company could take to ensure that their vehicle is in an acceptable weight. First of which involves the weigh stations that are often seen on the side of the road. Truck drivers could make sure that the weight of the truck is under the regulated limit by simply visiting a weigh station.

Truck drivers and companies are always tempted by those who contract them to carry a load that would exceed the maximum limit. In some cases, customers may try to urge drivers to combine two loads that would put them overweight. Trucking companies understand their limitations and when they would be exceeding it. It is up to them to make sure they are checking their weight as required and not permitting drivers to carry big loads, whether through the influence of a customer or their own volition.

Speak with an Attorney Today

Victims who have suffered damages due to the negligent actions of a truck driver who was transporting heavy cargo or a load that is too wide for the physical dimensions of the truck should feel it necessary to file a compensation claim against the truck driver or the trucking company. There are federal regulations in place to prevent drivers and trucking companies from overloading a truck since an accident could lead to an innocent driver sustaining life-threatening injuries.

If you have suffered an injury and wish to hold the at-fault party accountable, be sure to reach out to a trusted Sugar Land truck accident attorney today.