An overloaded big rig is a danger to Pennsylvania motorists

Perhaps you are a frequent traveler on Route 22, Interstate 80 or another of our area’s busy highways and have gotten used to driving alongside 18-wheelers.

You trust in the experience of a professional truck driver, but what if that is an overloaded vehicle? A big rig carrying too much cargo is a danger to motorists on Pennsylvania roads.

Overloading an 18-wheeler

The practice of overloading large commercial trucks continues despite the necessity for trucks to adhere to various state and federal laws. The reason is simple: Increased cargo translates to increased profits. However, the practice is unsafe and poses a danger not only to the driver, but also to other motorists traveling in the big rig’s vicinity.

Looking at the immediate problems

Overloading accelerates wear and tear on the truck’s components. For example, overloaded axles can cause tires to run hotter and wear out faster. The heavy, often off-balance cargo affects vehicle performance. The truck will travel faster than normal when going down an incline and will require a greater stopping distance. The driver will find the truck hard to control and may not be able to avoid a rollover or a disastrous collision.

Covering medical costs

Cases developing from truck-car collisions are complex and require a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. If you are the injured victim of such a collision, you have a right to expect full and fair compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages and more. Fault for your injuries may extend to multiple parties, such as the driver, the company that owns the truck and even the company or individual responsible for loading the vehicle.

This blog entry was posted on behalf of Hof & Reid, LLC, and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the firm or its attorneys. The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.