Truck drivers, trucking companies, and loading crews have an obligation to ensure that the cargo they transport has been safely stowed aboard the vehicle and is not in danger of coming loose and causing an accident. When they fail in this duty, ordinary people risk serious injuries—injuries that can lead to expensive medical bills, considerable lost wages, and excruciating pain and suffering.
Have you or someone you love been injured in a lost load truck accident in the Albany, GA area? If so, Parker Trial Law can help you demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered. Our personal injury law firm has been protecting accident victims since 2016. We never back down from a fight when our clients’ rights are on the line. Contact us today to speak with an Albany lost load truck accident lawyer about your case and to find out what we can do for you.
What Is a Lost Load Truck Accident?
A lost load commercial truck accident occurs when cargo becomes dislodged, falls off, or spills onto the roadway. These auto accidents are typically caused by improper load securement, which can involve overloading, insecure fastening, or a mechanical failure in the equipment used to secure the load. Lost loads can create hazardous conditions for other drivers, leading to multi-vehicle collisions, rollovers, and severe injuries. These truck crashes are particularly dangerous because the fallen cargo can strike passenger cars directly or create obstacles that other drivers may not have time to avoid.
Commercial trucks are subject to strict state and federal regulations regarding cargo securement to prevent such incidents. However, when trucking professionals violate these rules, they increase the risk of an unsecured load accident – and can be held financially responsible for the consequences.
How Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help with Your Personal Injury Claim
- Have you suffered truck accident injuries in a collision involving improperly secured loads? If so, an Albany lost load truck accident lawyer with Parker Trial Law can help you pursue fair compensation by:
- Thoroughly investigating the crash to determine how the load became loose and who was responsible for failing to stow it appropriately
- Identifying and preserving critical evidence in your case to support various legal theories against responsible parties
- Working with experts to calculate the financial and personal losses you’ve endured so we know how much you’re owed
- Negotiating with at-fault parties if this is the best way to secure a fair settlement for your legal claims
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit if the at-fault parties won’t make a sufficient settlement offer
Our law firm has a proven track record of success in obtaining maximum compensation against liable parties. Let our lost-load truck accident attorneys handle your legal claim so you can focus on resting and healing. You won’t owe us any fees unless we recover compensation for you first.
Why Overloading and Lost Loads Cause Accidents
Overloading and improperly securing loads can significantly compromise the safety of a commercial truck, with potentially devastating consequences. Here’s why these issues are so hazardous:
- They reduce vehicle stability. Overloading a truck or improperly distributing its cargo can alter its center of gravity, making it more prone to tipping or rolling over. Even a small shift in weight during a turn or sudden stop can destabilize the truck, creating a dangerous situation for nearby motorists.
- They increase braking distance: Excess weight from an overloaded truck places additional strain on the braking system, resulting in longer stopping distances. In emergency situations, this delay can mean the difference between avoiding a collision and causing a serious accident.
- They can lead to spilled cargo: When a load is not properly secured, it can break loose and spill onto the road. This creates immediate obstacles for other vehicles, leading to chain-reaction collisions. Spilled cargo, such as construction materials or industrial goods, can also damage the road surface, increasing the risk of further motor vehicle accidents.
These factors can cause fatal crashes and catastrophic injuries. Truck accident victims can consult with an experienced truck accident attorney from our firm to discuss their legal options for financial recovery.
Federal Laws Regarding Load Securement
Federal regulations regarding load securement are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA. Here are some critical rules to be aware of:
- Tiedowns must be attached so that they do not become loose, unfastened, or released while the vehicle is in transit.
- Vehicles equipped with rub rails, tiedowns, and other securement items must be placed inboard of said rub rails.
- Edge protection must be used whenever a tideown would be at risk of abrasion or cutting.
- Unmarked tiedowns and unmarked/unrated anchor points may be used, though the FMCSA encourages manufacturers to rate and mark their products.
- Cargo must be immobilized firmly on or within the vehicle structure. Dunnage backs, shoring bars, and tiedowns should be used to accomplish this.
- The aggregate working load limit of a securement system should be at least one-half of the weight of the articles it is securing.
Our truck accident lawyers are familiar with these and other federal and state regulations that can impact your claim. An Albany truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident to determine if any of these rules were violated.
Who Is Responsible for Unsecured Load Accidents
The complex nature of the trucking industry means that many different parties could be partially or fully responsible for improper loading truck accidents. These include:
- The Truck Driver: The driver is responsible for inspecting the truck and cargo before the trip and addressing any issues with improperly secured loads.
- The Trucking Company: The company must ensure drivers are properly trained, equipment is maintained, and safety protocols are enforced.
- Cargo Loaders: The individuals or teams loading the truck at the outset must secure the cargo correctly and in compliance with safety regulations.
- Cargo Owners: Owners of the cargo may be liable if they fail to provide clear instructions or supply improperly packaged materials.
- Maintenance Crews: Mechanics and maintenance personnel are responsible for ensuring the truck’s securement systems are functional and free from defects.
- Vehicle Manufacturers: Manufacturers of the truck or its securement equipment can be held accountable if defects cause the cargo to come loose in transit.
If you were injured in a truck accident in Albany, a GA truck accident lawyer from Parker Trial Law can review your case to determine your legal claims.
Contact Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in a semi truck accident involving improperly secured loads, don’t make the mistake of handling your own personal injury claim. Instead, turn to a team of Albany truck accident attorneys who understand these challenging cases and how to win them. Contact Parker Trial Law today for a free initial consultation about your case, and find out how a truck accident lawyer with our firm can help you demand fair compensation for what happened.
