Birmingham Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyer

Compensation for a Wreck Involving an Overloaded Truck

The trucking industry is a vital element of Alabama's economy, transporting needed goods across the state's roadways. But, tractor trailers, or big rigs, are a constant danger to other vehicles and pedestrians due to their size, weight, blind spots, and braking abilities. Because of the threat tractor trailers pose to others on roadways, the federal government has established strict rules for big rig operators and owners. These guidelines include how much a fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh, how many hours a driver can drive in one stretch, and the types of materials they can carry.

If you or a family member has been involved in tractor trailer accident, it is important to have skilled and experienced legal representation. Guster Law Firm, LLC has handled many truck accidents throughout Alabama. Let us help you get the settlement you need. 

Call Guster Law Firm, LLC today at (205) 581-9777 to schedule a free consultation.

Federal Trucking Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has imposed strict safety regulations on the trucking industry. While most tractor trailer owners and operators adhere to these regulations, some do not. Trucking companies are in the business of making money, and some unscrupulous companies encourage their drivers to increase profit margins by violating FMCSA guidelines. These illegal practices can include speeding, driving for more hours at a time than allowed, not taking long enough rest periods between driving shifts, driving too many days in a row, driving in bad weather conditions, driving while fatigued, and overloading or improperly loading trailers.

Truck Overloading in Alabama

Truck overloading is one of the most common causes of truck accidents. The illegal practice of truck overloading is done in an attempt to deliver more goods in a trip, increasing the amount of money made per trip. The FMCSA limits the amount of weight a trailer can be loaded to at 80,000 pounds. That's still 16 times heavier than the average weight of a passenger vehicle. A legally loaded tractor trailer traveling at 60 miles per hour requires at least 350 feet to come to a complete stop. An overloaded trailer will take even longer to come to a complete stop. Overloaded trailers are also more prone to jackknifing and tip over accidents.

Improper Trailer Loading

Another trailer loading practice that can cause truck accidents is improper loading. Care should always be taken that heavier goods are loaded at the bottom of the trailer and lighter objects at the top. This helps prevent trailers from tipping over. Another cause of tip over accidents is carrying hanging cargo, such as hanging beef carcasses. Hanging cargo can begin to sway, causing a trailer to tip over. Truck drivers refer to this phenomena as "swinging beef accidents."

If you or a loved one is involved in an accident with a tractor trailer, you could pursue significant compensation for any damages incurred.

Call Our Alabama Overloaded Trucking Accident Attorney

To get a settlement that is worthy of your losses, it is vital that your case be represented by an experienced Birmingham truck accident legal team. Guster Law Firm, LLC have years of experience representing Alabama injury victims and their families. 

For a free consultation, call us today at (205) 581-9777.