The Law Against Overloaded Truck Accidents An overloaded truck accident is often caused by a negligent truck driver. It is the driver's responsibility to secure the load and keep it within the weight limits, but other parties may also be responsible, such as the truck owner or company that helped load the truck. If this is the case, you may be able to recover compensation from all of them. Read on to learn about the law against overloaded truck accidents. Hopefully, it will help you make a more informed decision about your next trucking trip. Inexperienced drivers Overloaded trucks are dangerous, and many of these accidents are the result of inexperienced or unprofessional drivers. This can happen on purpose - a company owner or manager might require an employee to overload their truck for the sake of expediency or money. But the real cost is not just time and money - the safety of others is also at stake. Inexperienced drivers are also a risk - an overloaded truck is more difficult to control. It requires more force to stop a truck when it is overloaded. When an inexperienced driver causes an overloaded truck accident, the other driver is liable for paying the victims' medical bills and other costs. Typically, the truck driver shares responsibility for the accident, but if an overloaded or over-loaded truck is the primary cause of the accident, the company may still be liable for damages. This means that if the truck driver is at fault, the victim will be limited to compensation that is proportionate to their level of negligence. Distracted drivers There are many factors that contribute to 18-wheeler and truck accidents. Distracted drivers are more likely to become involved in a crash if they are not paying attention to the road. Cell phone use, smoking, and other distractions may all contribute to truck accidents. Drivers that are distracted cannot react as quickly to road conditions, and even a brief distraction could lead to catastrophic consequences. Here are three factors that contribute to truck accident risk. One of the biggest contributing factors to truck crashes is fatigue. Overloaded trucks are at an increased risk of accidents because the drivers are constantly distracted. Tiredness and deadlines can cause a driver to drive past the designated break time. Distracted driving can also cause truck drivers to make poor decisions. These distractions can lead to a deadly crash. Distracted driving can result in serious injuries, and in some cases, even death. Inebriated drivers The U.S. has a growing problem with drunk and drugged truck drivers. This problem is exacerbated by the pressures truck drivers face on the job. Drivers can use stimulants and other drugs to stay focused on the road, but this also puts the safety of other drivers and passengers in jeopardy. Drivers must be held responsible for the harm they cause when they operate a commercial vehicle while under the influence of drugs. While intoxicated driving is illegal in Nebraska and the rest of the United States, truck drivers continue to take risks on the road. Truck accidents caused by drunk drivers are devastating, and the penalties for driving a tractor-trailer while intoxicated are stiff. Berry Law is experienced in representing victims of these accidents. We have experience handling truck accident cases involving drunk drivers. By seeking legal assistance from our firm, you can be assured that you'll receive the compensation you deserve. Distracted truck drivers There's a simple explanation for overloaded truck accidents: the driver was distracted by a cell phone or text. Using a cell phone or texting takes just four seconds, but in that time, a truck traveling at 55 mph can cover the length of a football field. A truck driver who is distracted is unable to react as quickly to the changing conditions on the road. In just four seconds, a distracted truck driver can cause a devastating 18-wheeler crash. These distractions cause serious injuries, including broken bones and spinal cord injury. Distracted driving can also cause whiplash, disfigurement, and amputation. In the worst case scenario, it may even result in death. In addition to medical expenses, victims may also suffer loss of income due to inability to perform daily duties or scarring that can affect future earning potential. However, there is another reason why distracted drivers cause overloaded truck accidents: they spend long hours behind the wheel and rely on distractions to stay awake. Inexperienced truck drivers Overloaded trucks are a serious problem in the United States. Inexperienced truck drivers often do not know how to handle such a huge vehicle properly and cause accidents. Failure to check tire pressure can have disastrous consequences at high speeds. Inexperienced truck drivers also often do not follow federal or state traffic laws. Therefore, they may cause a crash, which may in turn injure innocent motorists. Many trucking accidents result from improper loading, inexperienced truck drivers, or negligence of the trucking company. Inexperienced drivers are often at fault for truck accidents because they have no training or experience. Even if they are not at fault, they may not be responsible for the accident. Ultimately, this means that trucking companies are liable for the accident. This negligence can also include allowing inexperienced truck drivers to drive too long, failing to conduct background checks, and hiring reckless truck drivers.