Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Hammond
Commercial trucking companies often operate on thin margins in terms of available budget and time allotted to complete deliveries. Unfortunately, some companies try to save money and time by loading their vehicles with more cargo than they are legally allowed to carry. This can substantially increase the risk of a serious accident out on the road.
If you suffered severe injuries from an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Hammond, you may be able to file suit against any entity that contributed to the incident by violating state or federal laws. A seasoned truck accident attorney can review the circumstances leading up to your crash, determine who may be held accountable, and help you take effective legal action to recover from your losses.
State and Federal Weight Limits for Trucks
Under federal law, the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) a commercial truck can have while operating on interstate highways is 80,000 pounds. This means that all the components of a fully loaded tractor-trailer—cab, trailer, cargo, and fuel and engine fluids—cannot collectively weigh more than forty tons. Additionally, a truck cannot put more than 20,000 pounds of weight on a single axle, or 34,000 pounds of weight on an individual tandem axle.
The state of Louisiana establishes additional maximum weight limits of 42,000 pounds per tridum axle and 50,000 per quadrum axle. Trucks traveling on non-interstate roads within Louisiana’s borders are allowed a variance above these limits of 2,000 pounds per single axle and 3,000 pounds per tandem, tridum, and/or quadrum axle. Furthermore, trucks with tridum or quadrum axles can weigh up to 83,400 pounds on interstate highways, or 88,400 pounds on non-interstate highways. Truckers and companies who continue to overload their vehicles risk causing catastrophic collisions in the Hammond area.
Claims for Overloaded Truck Wrecks in Hammond
A truck operator or trucking company that disobeys these regulations may be subject to significant fines and potential loss of licensing. Importantly, trucking companies in Hammond may also bear civil liability for any overloaded tractor-trailer accidents caused by their negligence.
A local attorney who focuses on overloaded truck accidents can help an injured victim seek financial recovery for various damages. These could both economic and non-economic losses related to the accident, such as:
- Medical bills
- Vehicle repair expenses and replacement costs
- Lost income from work
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
Time Limits on Overweight Truck Crash Claims
Waiting too long to file suit after an overweight truck crash in Hammond could prevent a victim from recovering any compensation at all, even if they have conclusive evidence of the defendant’s negligence. Louisiana Civil Code § 3492 allows only one year following a truck accident of any kind for a person to start the civil litigation process. Accordingly, it is often crucial to retain legal counsel as soon as possible following an overloaded tractor-trailer accident.
Consult a Skilled Hammond Attorney On Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents
When a tractor-trailer is loaded with too much cargo, it becomes significantly harder for a driver to safely operate the vehicle. The added weight increases the amount of time it takes for the truck to stop and makes the vehicle more unsteady, both of which can contribute to serious collisions.
If you recently suffered injuries from an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Hammond, you may have the right to file suit and seek civil compensation for your losses. Reach out to the dedicated attorneys at our firm to discuss your legal options.