Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accidents in Richmond Hill

Overloaded or overweight trucks are accidents waiting to happen. Truckers may not realize that extra weight affects driving conditions. For instance, overloaded trucks require a longer stopping distance, which raises the risk of a rear-end collision.

Increased weight puts more pressure on tires, which can lead to blowouts and other problems. Have an experienced personal injury attorney evaluate your case if you are involved in a truck accident caused by an overloaded or overweight truck in Richmond Hill.

Why Are Trucks Overweight?

Truckers and truck companies may add weight to meet delivery schedules. Tight deadlines with potential penalties for delayed delivery can lead to a few extra cargo cartons. Sometimes,  overweight trucks result from miscalculations or improper loading practices.

Truck drivers may not realize that extra weight raises a truck’s center of gravity, making it prone to rollovers. Overloaded trucks may also have unbalanced loads that shift in transit, causing loss of control. These conditions can cause truck accidents that seriously injure the driver or others.

Potentially Responsible Parties for Overloaded Truck Accidents

Georgia is an at-fault state, making the injured parties responsible for proving negligence. Injured parties bringing a claim must establish the following:

  • Trucking companies and their drivers had a duty of care to operate their vehicles with the safety of others in mind.
  • Trucking companies breached that responsibility if they did not adhere to safety standards or act in a way that another person under similar circumstances would.
  • The company’s or driver’s actions caused the accident.
  • The injuries were a result of the accident.

A Richmond Hill lawyer can review the evidence from an overweight truck crash and consult medical experts to determine the best possible strategy.

How to Prove Negligence

Anyone involved in a traffic accident should contact the police. They will file an official accident report that can include any issued citations. They should also seek medical attention even if there is no apparent injury. Other evidence could include the following:

Medical Records

Medical records include hospital stays, doctor visits, and emergency room services. They cover information in a patient’s electronic health record, such as diagnostic tests, treatment plans, and medications.

Witness Statements

Collecting contact information from witnesses of a truck accident may be challenging. However, an experienced Chattahoochee Injury Law attorney can help clients locate witnesses listed on police reports or insurance documentation.

Traffic or Dash Cams

More vehicles have installed dash cams, and cities have placed more cameras in high-traffic areas. This footage may help clarify what happened at the scene and even determine fault.

Photographs and Videos

Bystanders may have captured some or all of an accident. Gathering this information can be challenging, but an overloaded truck wreck lawyer in Richmond Hill can help.

Recovering Damages

Injured parties generally have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim and four years to recover property damages. If a party fails to file before the deadline, the claim may be dismissed, preventing them from receiving compensation.

You can seek compensation for economic and noneconomic losses. Economic damages cover medical expenses such as doctor visits, emergency room visits, and hospital stays. They allow lost wage recovery if the accident prevents injured people from working.

Noneconomic compensation includes an accident’s emotional and psychological impact, often called pain and suffering. Financial awards may include compensation for decreased quality of life.

Consult a Richmond Hill Attorney After an Overloaded/Overweight Truck Accident

Filing a successful truck collision claim can be challenging. Insurance carriers for trucking companies and drivers will investigate the accident and collect evidence to counter negligence claims.

A dedicated lawyer will work for the best possible outcome or litigate a case if a settlement cannot be reached. Let Chattahoochee Injury Law review your case if you are involved in an overloaded/overweight truck accident in Richmond Hill.