Overloaded trucks can cause serious accidents in Missouri

Overloaded trucks are a big concern on the roads of Missouri due to the serious accidents that they can cause. There are federal regulations in place that prevent trucks from being overloaded, but not all drivers or companies follow them. Here is a look at overloaded truck accidents and the injuries they can cause.

There are federal and state laws in place that put a limit on the weight of the load a truck can carry. In some instances, trucks can go over this limit, but they are required to obtain a special permit to do so.

The manufacturers of trucks establish the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and it is listed on the plate. This is calculated by the company rating the brakes, frame, axels, powertrain, suspension and frame. No truck is legally allowed to carry more than the rating and should never exceed a GVWR of 80,000 pounds.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), if there is no plate stating GVWR on a truck, law enforcement officials are to assume a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds. It is required that truck drivers use weight stations during their routes to ensure they are sticking to the GVWR on their trucks.

The performance of an overloaded truck can cause accidents due to reduced performance. This includes additional braking needed to stop, going down an incline at a higher rate of speed than anticipated, shifting cargo and difficulty handling turns.

Overloaded trucks can lose their load if it shifts, can rollover, and can have difficulty stopping in high volumes of traffic. All of these problems can lead to serious accidents that can cause injury and even death of the truck driver and others on the roads of Missouri.

The truck driver and the company that owns the truck can be held liable in any overloaded truck accident case.

Visit our site today to learn more about overloaded truck accidents in Columbia, Missouri, and how you can seek compensation following an accident.