Victims on the roadway with any truck may face accidents due to reckless driving or fatigued drivers, but there are times when too much cargo can also lead to serious accidents.
If you were hurt in an accident like this, consult a Forest Acres overloaded truck accident lawyer capable of fighting for your full compensation. At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, our Forest Acres truck accident lawyer brings more than 10 years of experience fighting for what you deserve.
How Our Legal Team Learns Who Is at Fault
Learning that a truck accident was due to the company or driver overloading the vehicle is not always a straightforward process. It is our objective, as your overloaded truck accident lawyer in Forest Acres, to investigate your case fully to ensure we have all the details to prove what occurred. Some of the evidence we may be able to seek in your case includes:
- Truck black boxes, a type of log
- Navigational tools
- Witness statements
- Accident recreation experts
- Videos and photos of the accident and damage
- Experts in truck regulations and cargo loading
It can be tricky to tell that an overloaded truck caused the accident and injuries you have, especially if the truck driver is not open with the police about what occurred or why it happened. Our full investigation into your case will provide better insight into what your legal rights are, and we will seek out evidence from all available resources. Let the Forest Acres personal injury lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm fight for your right to fair compensation in these cases.
Common Accidents Brought on by Overloaded Trucks
When a truck has too much weight in it, the risk of an accident increases. The type of accident that occurs depends on where the most stress and force is applied to the vehicle. You may not know that the truck was overloaded when it hit you, but some of the most common accidents, such as the following, could be due to these risks:
- Brake failures
- Tire blowouts
- Cargo loss on the roadway
- Suspension system failures
- Jackknifing accidents
- Rollover accidents
Victims of accidents like these benefit from having an attorney investigate what occurred and pursue legal action as applicable. Our Forest Acres overloaded truck accident attorney will investigate beyond what the insurance company and police do. That way, we can be sure we identify all parties responsible for such outcomes.
Truck Overloaded Accidents Are the Responsibility of Numerous Parties
Trucks with too much weight put others at risk because drivers struggle to control them, and components fail. The US Department of Transportation Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws indicates that truck weight limits are established in most states, and when those weight limits are not met, the risk of an accident can increase. Federal requirements are also in place.
When a truck company or driver overloads a truck, they are placing more weight on the vehicle than it can safely navigate on high-speed highways and around turns and curves. That means that even those drivers with ample skill and experience are at a much higher risk of accidents and vehicle failures occurring, and this could be the fault of numerous parties, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loading company or team is a third-party
- The vehicle manufacturer, in instances of equipment failure
- The maintenance and upkeep team, if maintenance-related failures caused the accident
What to Do After a Truck Accident
As an overloaded truck accident attorney in Forest Acres, our legal team will provide you with immediate help as soon as you reach out to us. However, there are several steps you can take at the time of your accident to recover the damages you have. Some examples of those steps include:
- Calling the police: Even if the truck driver does not want you to do so, calling the police ensures proper documentation of the accident, truck, truck condition, and cause of the incident.
- Seek out medical care: You need medical care to protect your health and get support for injuries. It also helps to document the injuries and losses you have right after the incident occurs.
- Take photos: Use your phone to take photos and videos of the accident scene, including the damage to both vehicles, the surrounding area, and the injuries you have.
- Gather witness information: When it is safe to do so, ask witnesses to provide their names and contact information so that you can reach out to them later.
- Avoid making statements admitting fault: Avoid making statements such as “I’m sorry” after the accident. Instead, focus on only sharing facts with the police.
Be aggressive in reaching out to our legal team as soon as you face this type of accident, even if you are unsure that the truck’s weight or cargo caused the accident. These trucks cause serious injuries to many people each year, and it is our goal to minimize those losses. We are here to help you throughout this process.
Do Not Trust the Insurance Company with Your Case
Insurance companies for truck firms have a lot on the line with your claim, and they will refute the claims in any way they can. Some may transfer the blame to you, try to force you to settle too soon, or aggressively treat you as if your injuries are not accurate or fair.
Our Forest Acres car accident lawyer will pursue legal action to support your claims and make it clear to the insurance company that they cannot treat you poorly or provide for your losses fairly.
Trust in the Experience of Shelly Leeke Law Firm
Put our team at Shelly Leeke Law Firm to work on your case and get the answers you need right away. Our legal team offers free consultations to discuss your case thoroughly, and we will offer insight into your next steps.
To get started, contact our Forest Acres overloaded truck accident lawyer to request a free consultation and case evaluation, and know that we do not charge you a fee unless we win your case.
