The Dangers of Overloaded Cars and Trucks

Overloaded, Cars And TrucksMany people hire Tampa personal injury attorneys because they got injured in an accident caused by an overloaded vehicle. Cars and trucks have a weight limit for a reason. Exceeding this weight limit can lead to a number of problems. Below are just some of the dangers of overloading cars and trucks.

Reduces Stability

If your car or truck is overloaded, then it will be less stable. This will make it more difficult for you to steer your vehicle. Excess weight will also make it difficult for you to come to an emergency stop. That is one of the many reasons Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore recommends that you avoid overloading your vehicle.

Interfere With Braking Ability

Your brakes have to work harder when there is extra weight in your vehicle. They can easily overheat and lose their effectiveness. This greatly increases your risk of being involved in a serious accident.

Reduce Your Ability to See

If you have too many items in the back of your car, then you may not be able to see out of your rearview mirror. It is also important to note that it is more difficult to accelerate in an overloaded vehicle – which becomes particularly important when you are crossing a roadway as cars are approaching from opposite directions.

Cost of Gas Goes Up

Not only is overloading a vehicle dangerous, but it can also cause you to spend extra money unnecessarily. The more weight you have in your vehicle, the more gas you will use. In fact, fuel efficiency decreases by one to two percent for every 100 pounds you put in the vehicle.

Insurance may not Cover Damages

Generally speaking, insurance companies are supposed to cover any damage that is done to your car in an accident. However, the insurance may not cover the damages if an overloaded vehicle caused the accident. The reason? Because, given the facts, it may well be illegal to overload your vehicle.