Your Trusted Personal Injury Lawyers in Waterford, CT
When a large truck is loaded with more cargo than it was designed to handle, there could be serious consequences. A heavy semi is difficult to control and takes longer to stop. An overloaded truck runs the risk of becoming unbalanced and tipping over, causing a major accident, especially if it is driving on a road with other vehicles.
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Waterford are very serious. It is important to find out who is liable for the damages. An experienced truck crash attorney could help with proving liability and pursuing compensation for an injured person.
Commercial trucks and their drivers need to follow many regulations, including regulations regarding the weight of the cargo they carry. Weight regulations are designed for the safety of the truck drivers as well as the safety of others who are on the road with the trucks, and they are enforced at weigh stations found along most major highways.
Trucking companies may try to get away with extra weight in order to save money or make additional money. If they can haul more cargo in one load, they do not have to pay for the expenses of another truck going to the same place. When this happens, the risk of accidents due to overloaded trucks increases in Waterford and elsewhere.
Overloaded trucks are dangerous. The extra weight could create problems, including:
These problems could all lead to catastrophic accidents. A skilled Waterford attorney could investigate the overloaded truck accident and build a case in the injured person’s best interests.
Although each case is different, liability in accidents that are due to overloaded trucks in Waterford typically belongs to one or more of the following parties:
The trucking company is the most common liable party because it is responsible for the safety of its trucks. It should be training its employees how to load the truck properly, and it should be actively enforcing safety by ensuring all commercial truck regulations are being followed.
There are instances when a member of the trucking company’s staff could be held responsible for the accident. For example, an employee could have knowingly overloaded a truck or changed the paperwork so it looks like the truck was loaded properly. Conversely, a cargo loader could have been distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise impaired while working, and therefore unknowingly overloaded the truck.
If the truck driver knew about the overloading or failed to report problems with the weight of the truck, then the driver could be held partially responsible for the accident, too.
Damages from an overloaded truck accident in Waterford could include medical expenses, lost wages, repair or replacement cost of a vehicle, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
An attorney could add up the damages and seek compensation to cover everything. Sometimes, the compensation is achieved through an out-of-court settlement. Other times, it requires a trial. Either way, the attorneys at Polito & Harrington are dedicated to helping injured people obtain financial stability after an accident.
Overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Waterford can be tragic, but they do not have to be unanswered for. Hold the liable party accountable for the accident and your injuries while gaining the compensation you deserve.
Reach out today to book your free consultation. We want to help you.
We are committed to provide personalized attention to each and every client’s case – no matter how large or small– because that is each client’s only case. We are proud of our firm’s reputation of combining integrity and compassion with an unflinching dedication to getting the right result. We will do what we say.
