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Trucking Accidents

• Speeding, Distracted Driving Among Common Causes of Serious Injury and Fatal Kansas City Trucking Accidents

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Overloaded Semi Trucks Mat Cause Deadly Kansas City Truck Crashes

Large trucks are inherently dangerous because of their large size, but sometimes trucking companies increase the risk of a serious 18-wheeler accident by overloading or improperly loading their trucks. Overloaded or improperly loaded semi trucks are a safety threat to everyone on the road.

An overweight truck requires more distance to stop and has decreased maneuverability; every pound over the limit affects both stopping distance and the driver's ability to control his vehicle. A large load also puts extra stress on tires and brakes. These may fail if the truck has to swerve or stop suddenly causing the driver to lose control of the truck.

This is why there are federal restrictions on how much weight a semi-truck can carry. The Federal Highway Administration has set a maximum weight of 80,000 pounds (40 tons) for an 18-wheeler. Truck drivers or trucking companies who are caught violating this weight limit are subject to large fines, but many trucking companies take this risk because more cargo means more profit.

If the truck in improperly loaded or carrying an imbalanced load, the freight can cause the truck to jackknife, overturn or drift into other lanes of traffic. Loose cargo or tarps can fall into the highway causing a deadly obstruction. Trucking companies are responsible for making sure trucks are loaded correctly and the load is secure. The driver is also responsible for a pre-trip inspection.

Every year comercial trucking accidents cause over 100,000 injuries and 5,000 fatalities.

If an overloaded or improperly loaded truck caused an injury or death to someone you love, the Missouri truck accident attorneys at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys will work to hold the trucking company accountable for the harm they have caused. Our Kansas City commercial trucking crash attorneys have the experience and resources to conduct a thorough investigation of your case in order to support your injury claim.

If you have been injured in a Kansas City 18-wheeler crash, contact our Kansas city law office at 888-348-2616 to schedule a free consultation with a Missouri accident attorney. If you would like more information about personal injury claims in Missouri and Kansas, download our free guide “10 Essential Steps You Must Take to Protect Your Injury Claim.”

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Latest News

• Posted on 5/21/2012FMSCA Releases Report Highlighting Main Causes of Fatal Trucking Accidents in KS. and MO.
• Posted on 5/15/2012Truck Driver Seriously Injured in Trucking Accident on I-70 near Bonner Springs, Kansas

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Trucking Accidents

• Why shouldn’t I use the nice attorney who helped incorporate my business for my Kansas City truck accident case?

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