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Improper Loads are a Common Cause of Truck Accidents in Houston
Houston truck accidents can be caused by overloaded trucks or trailers or improper loading or stacking of the cargo. This is a problem that happens quite often on Houston highways such as the I-10, I-45 or I-610. Load issues can actually be dangerous for a Houston trucker as well. A big rig trucker driving in Houston can easily be killed or seriously injured if he or she stops and the shifted load comes through the semi cab.
So, in a Houston truck accident caused by a loading issue, it’s not just the commercial truck driver and the truck company but it’s the loading company who loaded the truck who also could be sued and should be sued. That is why you need an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer so you have more defendants to understand so the jury can assess the fault, where it lies.
For example, a Houston Fortune 500 company such as ConocoPhillips or Sysco could be transporting a load on the I-10, I-45 or I-610 in the Houston, Texas metro area and a serious accident could be caused by an improper load. Improper lashing of loads can cause the semi truck driver to lose a load. Most drivers have had the experience, while driving along on a Houston interstate and, all of a sudden, there is something there on the road, and it causes an accident. Many Houston residents have seen this. When this happens, it is the fault of the trucker, the truck company and the loading company.
Houston Truck Accident Lawyers Need to Assess Cause
Improper loading causes an extensive array of accidents and a Houston truck accident lawyer needs to understand this to be able to assess the situation properly. Causation is just one element of a successful lawsuit, and can be extremely difficult to prove. In many cases, Houston truck accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the accident, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company's insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Houston truck accident lawyer can help you after you've suffered a truck accident injury.
Houston - Texas Department of Transportation Regulations
Trucking regulations in Houston, TX exist governing permissible truck length, width, height, and weight. These regulations have been set forth by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and apply to all trucks in the state. Some of the regulations are as follows:
Size Limits for Houston Trucks and Trailers:
- Legal width limit: 8´ 6´´(102´´)
- Legal height limit: 14´
- Legal Limit for a Truck or single vehicle: 45´
- Maximum Limit for a Truck or single vehicle: 45´
Weight limits for Houston, Texas are as follows:
- Maximum legal gross weight cannot exceed 80,000 pounds.
- Maximum legal weight for a single axle cannot exceed 20,000 pounds.
- Maximum legal weight for a tandem axle group cannot exceed 34,000 pounds.
Overweight or Oversize Vehicles in Houston
An accident caused by a truck that is oversized or overweight can be even more dangerous due to its extra equipment, size, and heft. There are specific Texas regulations that an experienced 18-wheeler injury lawyer will analyze to determine whether the driver complied with these state laws. It is crucial that you hire an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer because most general practitioners or accident lawyers who do not concentrate their practice on truck accidents are not knowledgeable on these laws.
Truck Scales in Houston, Texas
Truckers should always be sure they are in compliance with federal and state regulations specifying maximum truck size and weight. If the truck driver is unsure of the weight of the load he or she is hauling, there are several truck scales in the Houston, Texas area where loads can be weighed to verify that the Houston trucker is within legal limits. If a big rig accident occurs due to improper weight loads, the semi driver will be legally accountable. The following is a list of Houston truck scale centers and stops where the driver can weigh the load of the tractor trailer:
Truck Scales in Houston, TX:
Pilot Travel Center
A-1 Fuel Stop
Chevron Food Mart #159
Handi Stop #102
Pilot Travel Center |
Map of Truck Scales in the Houston area |
| A truck driver's failure to verify the weight of the load he or she is hauling, or failure to secure it properly for roll sway characteristics, is considered negligence, and such failures should result in the trucker or truck company's legal accountability if a truck accident results in Houston, TX. |
Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Houston and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southeast Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller and West University.
If you’ve been injured by a shifting load or improperly secured cargo, contact a Houston Truck Accident Lawyer to discuss your options. You will receive a free initial consultation and quality legal advice from an experience Texas Truck Accident Attorney.