What Are the Risks of an Overloaded Truck?

Semi-trucks and other commercial motor vehicles are already harder to control because they are heavy and large. However, the risk of an accident increases further when a truck is overloaded.

The excessive weight increases a truck’s stopping distance and makes it more prone to rolling over if unbalanced cargo shifts or breaks loose. Overloading a truck can also make it more prone to mechanical failures and tire blowouts. No wonder many Indiana drivers suffer severe injuries in overloaded truck accidents.

What Does It Mean When a Truck Is Overloaded?

If a truck is overloaded, that means it is carrying more weight than the law allows or more than it was designed to handle safely. The extra weight makes the truck more challenging to control and puts intense strain on its brakes, tires, suspension system, and other critical parts.

Common Dangers and Risks of Overloaded Commercial Trucks

Some of the potential dangers overloaded trucks pose to other motorists in Indiana include:

• Increased stopping distances due to excess loads, making rear-end collisions more likely
• Higher risk of brake and tire failure
• Greater chance of rollovers and jackknifing due to the changes in the truck’s center of gravity
• Reduced steering control and stability
• Higher chance of cargo spills and shifting loads
• More severe injuries due to extra force on impact

Weight Limit Regulations for Trucks in Indiana

Truck drivers, trucking companies, and others in the industry must follow FMCSA weight regulations and Indiana weight guidelines meant to reduce the chances of an accident due to truck overloading. Some key guidelines regarding truck weight limits include:

Federal Truck Weight Limits

• The maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 pounds on interstate highways.
• The axle weight limits are 20,000 pounds per single axle and 34,000 pounds per tandem axle.
• Individual states may permit overweight trucks to carry non-divisible loads in specific situations.

Indiana Truck Weight Limits

• The maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 pounds without a special permit.
• The axle weight limits are 20,000 pounds per single axle, 34,000 pounds per tandem axle, and 50,000 pounds for tri-axles (when configured appropriately).
• Vehicles hauling farm goods may exceed standard limits by 10 percent (up to 88,000 pounds), except on interstates and specific restricted routes.
• Any vehicle exceeding these limits must apply for an oversize/overweight (OSOW) permit from the Indiana Department of Revenue.

Who Is Liable When an Overloaded Truck Causes an Accident?

Multiple parties in the trucking industry may be liable for an overloaded truck accident, including:

• The truck driver – Individual truckers may be liable for an accident involving an overloaded commercial vehicle if they failed to inspect the load, ignored weight limits, or drove unsafely, given the truck’s overloaded condition.
• The trucking company – A trucking company could be responsible for pressuring drivers to exceed weight limits, skipping maintenance, or failing to enforce proper loading procedures.
• Loading companies or cargo shippers – Cargo companies may face legal consequences for improperly loading the truck, exceeding weight restrictions, or failing to secure cargo correctly.
• Vehicle maintenance providers – Maintenance providers can share liability for a crash if brake failure or tire blowouts from excess weight resulted from poor upkeep or missed inspections.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help in Overload-Related Cases

Indiana truck accidents are a core part of our practice at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. We know the state and federal regulations that truck drivers and others must follow, and we can investigate to identify who broke the law. We can also document your injuries and financial losses to maximize your claim. While we’ll fight for a settlement to avoid a lengthy trial, we’re not afraid to protect your rights in court if necessary.

Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.