Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Channelview

Commercial vehicles, including semi-trucks, must comply with strict weight regulations to ensure safety on the road. Like in other states, federal and state laws govern the maximum weight trucks can carry in Texas. These rules exist because overloaded trucks pose serious risks, including reduced braking ability, an increased likelihood of jackknifing or rolling over, and the potential for catastrophic damage in the event of an accident.

It can be challenging to prove overloaded or overweight truck accidents in Channelview. As a victim, you are unlikely to know the truck’s weight at the time of the accident. However, an experienced truck wreck attorney can investigate whether an unsafe load contributed to the accident and help you explore your compensation options.

Texas Rules for Overweight Trucks

Texas Transportation Code § 621.101 mimics federal regulations for commercial vehicle weight. It limits the gross weight of a commercial truck to 80,000 pounds. However, not every commercial vehicle can weigh that much. Weight limits may vary depending on the number of axles, and each has restrictions. For example, the standard weight limit is 20,000 pounds per single axle and 34,000 pounds for tandem axles.

However, while the law restricts trucks to a maximum of 80,000 pounds, there are trucks on the road—legally—that exceed those weight limits. When trucks exceed the weight limit, the trucker must obtain an oversized or overweight permit from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. These permits allow truckers to exceed weight limits but do not change liability rules. If the heavy load contributes to an accident, the trucker will still be liable. Truckers must exercise a heightened duty of care when hauling overloaded or overweight loads in Channelview.

Dangers of Overweight Loads

Overloaded trucks create significant risks on the road. Like other states, the risks are so large that Texas has weigh stations to ensure truckers comply with these laws. An overloaded or overweight Channelview truck can contribute to accidents in several ways.

The most significant risk is reduced braking ability. The heavier the load, the longer the required stopping distance. Reduced braking ability can lead to rear-end collisions and contribute to the risk of a runaway truck. Braking issues and an elevated center of gravity can also increase the likelihood of jackknifing and rollover accidents.

Braking is not the only issue. Heavier trucks may struggle to reach highway speeds, creating hazards for other drivers attempting to navigate around them. Overloaded trucks may be more likely to spill or lose cargo, which can lead to chain-reaction crashes.

Additionally, weight alone can create issues. Overweight trucks can strain bridges, overpasses, and roads, potentially leading to infrastructure failures that endanger the public. Of course, when these heavier vehicles are in wrecks, they have greater mass, which leads to greater force.

Who Is Liable in Overloaded Truck Accidents?

Third-party liability is always a possibility in Channelview truck accidents, and this risk increases significantly when overloaded conditions contribute to the crash. Since truckers don’t load their vehicles, they are not directly responsible for the weight of the cargo. However, truckers are still required to inspect the load and ensure it meets all state and federal regulations. Potentially liable parties could include the driver, the trucking company, the loading company, maintenance providers, and manufacturers.

An injured motorist must demonstrate that excessive weight played a role in the accident to establish liability. Key evidence that can help support this claim includes weigh station records, maintenance logs, witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports. An experienced attorney can help identify any additional evidence that may be crucial to the case.

Let Us Help After an Overloaded or Overweight Truck Wreck in Channelview

Overloaded truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries and damages. Navigating the legal complexities of such cases requires experience in investigating the facts, identifying liable parties, and proving negligence.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an overloaded or overweight truck accident in Channelview, consult an experienced attorney to understand your rights. A lawyer can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Call to learn more.