There are millions of commercial trucks registered in the United States, many of which transport goods across the country on a regular basis. The primary purpose of commercial vehicles is to transport cargo over long distances efficiently, and these trucks play a crucial role in our economy. However, it is essential to remember that commercial trucks – and the cargo they carry – can cause serious accidents and injuries.
While many truck crashes occur due to the truck driver’s error, this is not always the case. Other parties may act negligently, leading to a collision, and cargo loading teams can also be held liable for accidents. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you need a legal team that can identify the cause of the crash, including whether it happened due to improperly loaded cargo. Contact Bednarz Law right away.
How Cargo Loading Leads to Accidents
Semi-trucks carry a wide variety of cargo. Cargo can include boxes of food or beverages, furniture, liquids such as hot water or gasoline, cars and trucks, lumber or timber, animals, and even houses. Each type of cargo has its own procedures for loading and securement. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also has strict securement guidelines. When a cargo-loading team fails to load or secure cargo in accordance with these guidelines correctly, serious accidents can occur.
The following are some ways that cargo can cause a commercial truck to crash:
- An overloaded trailer is too heavy, and the driver is unable to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision
- Cargo that is not secured in a trailer can shift around and throw the trailer off balance, causing the driver to lose control or resulting in a jackknife accident
- A tanker truck that is not correctly filled can have liquid sloshing around, also throwing the trailer off balance, and causing serious problems
Improperly loaded and secured cargo can also result in dangerous cargo spills. For example, if large pieces of lumber are being transported on a flatbed trailer and come unsecured, these massive logs can fall off the trailer and into the roadway. They may fall onto other cars or cause a series of collisions.
Cargo-loading teams may be employed by a truck company or by a third-party corporation. In either case, the liable company should cover all the losses of accident victims. Our attorneys know how to identify responsible parties and file all the necessary insurance or legal claims.
Find Out How Our Davidson County Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
At our firm, we understand the devastating impact of truck accident injuries. We represent clients with a wide range of injuries and losses, and we fight for their rights to the compensation they deserve. The sooner you call our truck accident attorneys, the sooner we can begin working for your best interests. Call 615-256-0100 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation today.
