Who are the parties at fault in the crash of an overloaded truck?

A collision between a big rig and a passenger car can result in devastating injuries, primarily to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

If excessive cargo shifts, causing the truck to overturn, another element is added to the question of liability. Where does responsibility lie in the crash of an overloaded truck?

An unbalanced truck

Commercial trucks are heavily regulated and must obey state and federal laws. Nevertheless, carrying excessive cargo continues to be a serious problem. In fact, overloaded trucks are a major cause of truck-related crashes. Overloaded cargo can easily shift, which will cause a truck to be off-balance. This, in turn, makes the vehicle hard to control. During a lane change or when making a sudden turn rollover becomes a possibility.

Performance issues

Overloaded cargo impacts the operating performance of a big rig. Tires run hotter and the wear and tear affects brakes, axles and other components. An inexperienced driver may not realize how much longer it will take to bring the truck to a stop, which can affect the safety of nearby motorists, especially if the truck is going down a hill.

Liability matters

Liability for the crash of an overloaded truck may extend to multiple parties: the truck driver, the trucking company, the person or company in charge of loading the truck and possibly the maintenance company. There will be a thorough investigation to determine fault since an injured victim could face tremendous medical expenses. An advocate can work on his or her behalf to obtain maximum compensation to cover current and future medical costs, lost wages and more.