There is no such thing as a minor semi-truck accident. Due to the size and weight of these trucks, when they are involved in a collision with anything else, there is bound to be damage. One of the reasons that a truck can be involved in an accident is that it has been improperly loaded. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident that you believe was caused entirely or in part by improperly loaded cargo then we urge you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Who is responsible for accidents caused by improperly loaded trucks?
One of the most complicated parts of this type of truck accident is determining who is at fault. It is common for a car accident to involve only two drivers but truck accidents often involve more people. This does not necessarily mean that more than two vehicles were involved, but, in the case of an improperly loaded truck, many people were involved in that loading including the company that loaded it, the driver who signed off on it, and others.
Your personal injury attorney will need to carefully consider all facts of the case to determine who was at fault. It may be that no one purposely acted in bad faith but if they failed to take proper precautions then they could be found negligent. It is up to your attorney to make these determinations.
There are many types of improperly loaded trucks
There are a number of ways in which a truck can be improperly loaded. First, you have trucks with cargo that was not secured. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, it is a requirement that cargo be secured with shoring bars, tie downs, or other tools that can firmly immobilize the cargo. If certain types of cargo are not properly tied down, such as furniture, lumber, or appliances, then they can create obstacles in the road. This cargo can also slide around inside the truck, which can result in a rollover.
The cargo can be perfectly secured and immobile yet still be unbalanced. This is a huge threat if the weight is significantly maldistributed with more weight on one side then the other. This can lead to the truck having a raised center of gravity and / or heavy sides, which once again makes it more likely that the truck will rollover.
Finally, it may be that a truck is simply overloaded. If a truck goes beyond its weight capacity, then it is much more likely to tip over. The heavier the load is, the more stress is put on the tires and brakes of the truck, which ensures that the truck needs a greater distance to stop.
If you have been injured in a truck accident then it is imperative that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You can reach The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
