Federal law prohibits commercial tractor-trailers from traveling on interstate highways or across state lines while weighing more than 80,000 pounds in total, and Connecticut state law imposes broadly similar restrictions on in-state traffic. Despite how straightforward these rules are, it is not uncommon for trucking companies to knowingly break them to save money and time on their routes—a decision that can have catastrophic consequences for their employees and other people on public roads.
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Shelton can be challenging to effectively file suit over for multiple reasons, not the least of which is how serious the losses caused by this sort of accident often are. With support from the knowledgeable truck accident lawyers at Berkowitz Hanna, though, you will be able to more efficiently build a strong civil claim and demand restitution from the people truly at fault for your injuries.
By necessity, every motor vehicle is designed with a maximum weight limit in mind so that the people using those vehicles do not overload them and threaten their structural integrity. While tractor-trailers can handle a great deal more weight than the average commuter car, they are still made of the same types of materials, and those materials may warp, bend, or break entirely if they are forced to carry a bigger load than they are designed to.
Illegally overweight trucks require more engine power to accelerate and more brake power to stop, and they are more likely to become unbalanced and tip over when taking sharp turns or descending steep slopes. Overloaded semi-trucks are substantially more likely to end up involved in traffic accidents in Shelton, even when they are operated by responsible and skilled drivers. If a driver loses control of an overweight truck, its increased mass means it is likely to cause exponentially greater harm to any vehicle or person in its path.
Any trucking company that allows one of their vehicles to go out on a route while dangerously and illegally overweight has violated the duty of care they owe everyone else on public roads and is considered negligent. This means they could be liable for any harm caused in an accident that occurs as the result of their misconduct. Recoverable damages can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm like medical bills, lost work income, physical and psychological suffering, and potentially other losses depending on the circumstances.
Unfortunately, an injured person can only recover damages after an overloaded truck crash in Shelton if they can prove the truck was, in fact, overweight. Since many trucking companies know they are breaking the law and are willing to break the law further to hide their misconduct, dependable and accurate evidence can be harder to come by after a crash like this, which is why having help from seasoned legal counsel is crucial during an ensuing civil claim.
Intentional or not, overloading a commercial truck makes it instantly more dangerous to the driver and everyone around them. Anyone who puts you at risk and ends up injuring you as a direct result has met all the criteria for legal negligence—but as any experienced attorney could tell you, knowing someone else was negligent and proving them so in court are two very different things.
Getting the best possible result from a case based on an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Shelton is not something you should expect to accomplish alone. Call today to learn how the experienced truck accident lawyers at Berkowitz Hanna can help with your claim. Your initial consultation is completely free.
Berkowitz Hanna
