The Dangers Of Overloading Trucking Accidents In Florida

Dread sharing your morning commute with the big rigs down South Florida’s I-95? It’s no surprise why. Over 10,000 trucks travel the I-95 everyday, increasing the risk of serious crashes. A Sunrise truck accident lawyer can help if you’ve been injured in one of these collisions by identifying liable parties, gathering evidence, and pursuing compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain caused by the crash.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, trucking accident statistics should be enough to scare all of us off the road.

• Passenger vehicles absorb 98% of trucking accident fatalities.
• 500,000 trucking accidents occur yearly.
• 5,000 trucking accidents result in fatalities.

Trucking accidents in South Florida can be caused by overloading.  Overloading occurs when the truck is loaded beyond the intended capacity. The FMCSA, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, mandates that large trucks not exceed carrying loads over 80,000 pounds. When a truck is overloaded, the driver’s ability to brake and steer makes drivers of small cars easy targets for serious injuries and fatalities.

Why are overloaded trucks so dangerous?

1. The larger the truck load, the higher the speed. The higher the speed, the more severe the injuries caused to other motorists. Overloading caused serious injuries such as paralysis, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and death. Overloaded trucks more likely to cause truck accidents due to reduced braking ability, increased rollovers, and decreased control, making them a serious hazard on Florida roads.
2. Overloaded trucks have poor braking abilities, causing collisions if anything dares to get in their way. For example, a typical overloaded truck may take up to the length of a football field before it is able to come to a complete stop.
3. Overloaded trucks can easily tip over because they are not balanced or loaded correctly. Overloaded trucks are also more likely to lose cargo that is not properly secured, causing other vehicles to crash.
4. Overloaded trucks put undue strain and pressure on the mechanics of the truck, such as the brakes, which makes it impossible for it to stop before causing an accident and injury to other motorists.
5. Overloaded trucks wear down our roads and highways, which lead to destructive potholes and spilling loose items. The dangers of overloaded cargo include a higher risk of rollovers, brake failure, and loss of control, all of which endanger not only the truck driver but everyone else on the road.

Get Help!

Serious injuries absorbed from overloaded trucking accidents involve head injury, brain trauma, multiple fractures, and spinal injuries, and death.

If you have been involved in an overloaded trucking accident in South Florida, chances are you sustained serious injuries from a life threatening experience. In a worse case scenario, you may have a friend or loved one who suffered wrongful death from a trucking accident.

If you have been in an overloaded trucking accident in South Florida, it is important to talk with an experienced Sunrise truck accident lawyer. Your attorney can help you prepare your paperwork to get the results you are looking for.

Contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld to find out what your legal rights are and how to receive help. Call (954) 677-0155 to meet with a skilled Sunrise truck accident lawyer.