An 18-wheeler weighs 35,000 pounds when empty and 80,000 pounds, or 40 tons, with a legal cargo limit. The law provides some exceptions for long-distance trucks to carry heavier loads, but these vehicles haul excessive weight on the highway regardless.
When truckers handle an overburdened tractor-trailer load, the risk of a wreck increases significantly. When you are hurt in an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Aurora, call the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd. Our hardworking truck crash attorneys could review your case and help you pursue fair compensation.
Common Causes of Overloaded Truck Collisions
Overweight trucks are dangerous because more pressure is put on tires and operating systems, making them harder to control on the road. When overloaded cargo shifts occur, the truck destabilizes further, which is especially hazardous in bad weather or on winding roads. These types of accidents can result from the following:
- Tires bursting from the added pressure
- Deteriorated and crumbling roads caused by repeated excess weight
- Overloaded cargo toppling toward the rear of the trailer, spilling onto the roadway
- Brakes failing from repeatably stopping an overweight truck
- The higher center of gravity causing a rollover
- The trucker careening out of control from being unable to stop on a hill
A reliable attorney in Aurora could help you calculate your damages following an overloaded truck crash and pursue a fair recovery on your behalf.
What Forms of Compensation Are Available?
About 10 percent of commercial trucking accidents are fatal, and those who do survive are likely to sustain catastrophic injuries, including broken bones, life-threatening burns, disfigurement, and paralysis.
These injuries may lead to extensive medical care and rehabilitation costs. In addition, individuals who are hurt in these wrecks may miss work for an extensive period of time and lose wages as a result. A legal professional could help you or your loved one secure compensation to cover the following damages:
- Property damage
- Medical costs
- Lost wages and working capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
To learn more about recovering from an overweight trucking collision in Aurora, schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd.
Commercial Trucks and Mandatory Liability Insurance
The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 § 387.9 requires interstate commercial trucking companies to carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance and up to $5 million if hazardous cargo is being transported.
Our determined personal injury attorneys negotiate with insurers after calculating a client’s injuries. Unlike many law firms that shy away from litigation, if the settlement offer is insufficient, our Aurora team does not hesitate to file a negligence lawsuit after an overweight truck collision.
Learn More About Pursuing Damages in Aurora After an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accident
Most truckers are conscientious and take the safety of others seriously. However, when a driver or trucking company overloads a truck for profit, ignoring the federal and state weight limits, they engage in negligent behavior. If you or your loved one is injured due to another party’s reckless or careless actions, they may owe you compensation.
Our knowledgeable lawyers dedicate themselves to assisting people like you, who did not deserve the harm done to them and should be reimbursed by those responsible. Call us today for help holding at-fault parties accountable after an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Aurora. Do not wait; take the first step towards justice today.