Trucks deliver vital goods across the state of Kentucky and beyond. Generally, drivers and companies exercise due care and attention when it comes to safety, but this isn’t always the case.
The more goods that can be delivered in a timely manner, the more profit companies can make. For this reason, some companies opt to jeopardize safety in order to overload their trucks.
The results of this can be devastating. Here are several ways that overloading can cause problems:
Truck stopping distances
Commercial trucks have much longer stopping distances than cars and smaller vehicles. If a trailer is overloaded, then this stopping distance only extends. The driver of an overloaded truck will simply not be able to stop on time should they need to. In fact, the brakes may not work at all and the truck could spiral out of control, creating a severe collision.
Unsecured loads
An overloaded truck is not a securely loaded truck. If items have been piled into a trailer and not strapped down properly, they could become loose while in motion. If this happens then they essentially become missiles to other road users. When an item falls off of a truck at high speed, it doesn’t even need to be heavy to cause serious damage.
Too much strain on the vehicle
The law imposes weight limits on trucks for a reason. The components of a truck are only designed to come under so much pressure, and being overloaded could cause parts of the vehicle to break. On the road at high speeds, this places everyone — including the driver — in danger.
It can take some time to recover from injuries suffered during a collision. Sometimes, a full recovery isn’t possible. If you were seriously hurt because of the negligent acts of another party, you may be entitled to compensation. Seeking legal guidance will help you to get what you deserve.
-
Facebook
-
Twitter
-
LinkedIn