New York Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyer
Overloading a truck comes with serious risks to other road users, yet it happens all the time, and not by accident. Trucks are designed to operate within a given cargo load; adding more weight, which is done to save on expenses, than they are allowed to tow puts extra strain on the truck’s tires, brakes, engine, electrical system, and every other part. Trucking companies have a duty of care to not only follow the law, but to always act with prudence. Failure to do so can result in legal action if another road user is harmed in a collision. If you were injured in a truck crash that was caused by negligently overloading a truck, the New York overloaded truck accident lawyers at Cohan Law Firm are here to help.
Maximum Weight Capacity of New York Trucks
Trucks can be loaded with weight based on the number of axles or wheels they have. The greater the weight, the more wheels that are necessary to distribute that weight across the pavement.. The following table used to calculate the maximum weight a truck of any specific size in New York can carry, based on the number of wheels/axles:
- 11,200 lbs for any one wheel
- 22,400 lbs for any one axle
- 36,000 lbs for any two axles
- 80,000 lbs three or more axles
As such, the largest trucks are allowed to carry 80,000 pounds. Oversized loads are allowed when authorized by New York State. Special trucks, driven at lower speeds with escort vehicles, may be used to carry oversized loads.
Why Overloading a Truck Causes Crashes
As stated earlier, trucks are designed to handle a certain amount of weight. Exceeding this weight strains every mechanical part on a truck, and makes the truck difficult for the driver to handle. Overloading a truck can result in a crash by:
- Increasing the braking distance needed to come to a stop
- Increasing the likelihood of a jackknifing incident
- Reducing the steering ability of the driver
- Causing the brakes to overheat
- Causing tire blowouts
- Causing a rollover
- Causing the trailer coupling to fail and the trailer to detach
- Causing the truck to travel at a much slower, and unexpected, speed than the rest of traffic
Damages in an Overloaded Truck Accident
Victims in semi-truck collisions usually sustain serious injuries, including multiple fractures, concussion, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, soft tissue damage, facial lacerations, and more. If you were injured, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income due to disability, emotional distress, pain and suffering, property damage, and more.
Call a New York Overloaded Truck Accident Attorney Today
Trucking companies overload trucks to save money. No one should get away with cutting corners simply to turn a higher profit when it puts the lives of others at risk. We can hold the negligent trucking company accountable, regardless of the size of the corporation. Call the experienced New York overloaded truck accident attorneys at Cohan Law Firm today at 855-855-0321 for a complimentary consultation.
