Large commercial trucks play an essential role for the state by transporting necessary food and cargo. However, the size and weight of an 18-wheeler could make accidents more severe. The trucking industry and drivers must ensure compliance with the safety rules and mandated regulations to prevent avoidable wrecks.
Our experienced truck accident attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law understand how to handle these cases and could help you seek compensation when you are injured in an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Winder. Contact one of our local legal professionals to understand your options.
Trucks that are carrying over the maximum allowable weight are at a high risk of causing collisions and experiencing brake failure. Carrying overloaded and overweight cargo in Winder creates additional stress on the vehicle’s mechanical parts and increases safety issues, including the amount of time and space that is needed to bring the truck to a complete stop to avoid an accident.
Additionally, overloaded 18-wheelers are at a higher risk for other hazards, including:
Our attorneys are skilled in handling these collisions and could conduct a thorough investigation to determine fault and build a claim to recover damages successfully.
Federal and state laws take maximum weight regulations seriously as they play an essential role in highway safety in an attempt to reduce overloaded semi-truck collisions in Winder and across the country.
The trucking industry statutes are also crucial for preserving infrastructure, as overweight vehicles are a primary cause of highway, road, and bridge damage. Federal regulations limit the maximum allowable weight for large commercial trucks to 80,000 pounds unless the trucker obtains a permit to carry heavier loads.
Lawmakers in the state recently increased the maximum weight for 18-wheelers to 88,000 pounds. However, that only applies to state roads and not federally regulated highways. According to the Georgia Code Annotated § 32-6-26 regulations, the law presumes that any vehicle unlawfully carrying loads of the maximum allowable weight causes damage to infrastructure. Authorities will assess fees and other fines for those in violation.
Truckers who receive citations for carrying more than the maximum permissible weight will pay five cents for each additional pound. When there is evidence of damages, the state access fees are 125 percent times the amount the trucking industry pays for excess weight permits.
The risk of damage caused in truck-related crashes is significantly higher than it is for passenger cars. Therefore, adhering to safety rules and regulations, including weight limits, is crucial for limiting crashes. Our legal professionals have handled these kinds of cases successfully and could help you as you seek compensation for your injuries.
When truckers or the companies they work for put others at unnecessary risk of harm, you must hold them responsible. Contact Smith Hulsey Law regarding your case involving overloaded/overweight truck accidents in Winder to review your options. We are happy to set up an initial consultation at your convenience.
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