Overloaded Truck Accident & Injuries in Denver

Large trucks are the most dangerous vehicles on the road due to their size and weight. Because of this, trucks must obey special safety rules and regulations to help prevent accidents. This includes laws for proper truck loading, cargo securement and weight limits. If these laws are broken, an overloaded truck could cause a serious truck accident in Denver.

What Is an Overloaded Truck?

An overloaded truck is a commercial 18-wheeler that is hauling a load that does not comply with federal cargo requirements. It may describe a cargo load that is too large, too heavy, improperly secured or imbalanced. 

Overloaded trucks can be caused by many examples of negligence, or the failure to use reasonable care, such as:

• Exceeding federal and state weight limits
• Failing to obtain an overweight truck permit
• Failing to ensure a balanced load
• Skipping cargo securement requirements to save time
• Failing to inspect trucks and cargo areas
• Ignoring truck weigh-in stations

Excess weight is a serious accident risk, as it can affect how the truck operates. Signs that a truck is dangerously overloaded can include the truck wobbling, tipping to one side, taking longer than usual to stop, and having trouble steering or turning. 

Common Types of Overloaded Truck Accidents

An overloaded truck is much more likely to cause an accident. The truck driver may lose control of a heavy truck or the cargo may shift in transit, creating a significant crash risk.

Types of trucking accidents that are often connected to overloaded trucks include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Truck override accidents
• Jackknife accidents
• Brake failures
• Tire blowouts
• Truck rollovers
• Falling cargo or lost loads
• Runaway trucks

These accidents can result in severe injuries and fatalities. Most often, the victims injured are those in the smaller cars, not commercial trucks.

Liability for an Overloaded Truck Accident in Colorado

Weigh-in stations have been established in Colorado to try to prevent the issue of overloaded trucks. Even if it is discovered that a truck is too heavy, it is not prevented from returning to the road. Instead, the truck driver will typically receive a ticket and continue on their way. A lack of accountability can contribute to truck accidents caused by overloaded vehicles.

Trucking companies have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their trucks and transports. This includes a duty to obey all applicable federal and state common carrier laws and truck weight limits. If an accident is caused by an overloaded truck, multiple parties could be held responsible.

You may be able to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the trucking company, cargo loader or shipping company, a maintenance or repair team, or the manufacturer of the truck for negligence, depending on the circumstances. Your claim could result in the financial compensation that you need to move forward.

When to Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer

It is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after being involved in an overloaded truck accident. These cases can be complex. The right personal injury attorney in Denver can help you navigate your case and maximize your financial recovery. Learn more about this type of accident by contact us at Fang Accident Lawyers for a free consultation.