The weight and size of semi-trucks give drivers a reason to fear colliding with them on the road. The danger commercial vehicles pose is also the reason the Federal Motor Safety Administration (FMSA) regulates the trucking industry.
Drivers and trucking companies may be liable if they fail to follow regulations related to the inspection, maintenance, or repair of commercial vehicles.
What is an Unsecured Load?
Among the many regulations related to trucking are rules surrounding the securing of cargo. Semi-truck drivers are barred from operating commercial vehicles unless all cargo is properly distributed and adequately secured.
Practically speaking, this means a load must be properly balanced and tied down to ensure the weight is evenly distributed and the cargo will not cause a hazard by falling out of the truck and into traffic.
Risks of Unsecured Loads
Unsecured loads pose many hazards to drivers. When all or part of a truck’s cargo falls into the road other cars are forced to either collide with the debris or swerve out of its way. It also increases the likelihood that a semi-truck will rollover or jackknife.
Ultimately, unsecured loads are responsible for thousands of serious car crashes that result in severe injuries and property damage. Injured parties often suffer from head trauma, PTSD, broken bones, and back injuries.
Who is Liable?
In most car accidents liability is assumed to fall on the drivers of the vehicles involved in the crash. However, when an accident is caused by an unsecured load, there are several different parties who may be liable.
First, truck drivers may have failed to properly load and secure their cargo. Second, the company that employs the driver may have failed to train the driver correctly. Or, in some cases, a third-party company is responsible for the truck’s improper loading.
Plaintiffs injured by accidents caused by unsecured loads should hire experienced attorneys to ensure their complex cases are adequately investigated. This ensures injured parties properly identify the party liable for their harm, leading to full and fair compensation for the losses they sustained.
Injured by an Unsecure Load? Call Shaw Cowart for a Free Consultation
When truck drivers fail to properly secure their loads they create unnecessary safety hazards for other motorists. If you or a loved one are overwhelmed dealing with the aftermath of an injury caused by a semi-truck driver’s improperly loaded vehicle, you understand the pain and suffering that accompany a serious accident.
You deserve assistance during this difficult time, and the last problem you should be addressing is the anxiety that comes with navigating the complexity of a legal claim.
The attorneys at Shaw Cowart LLP are ready to assist you. We provide legal services to Texas residents injured when truck drivers fail to comply with regulations by improperly loading their vehicles. We understand the regulations semi-truck drivers must abide by, and we can assist in investigating your claim and fighting to maximize your recovery.
We can evaluate your claim and explain your legal rights. Contact our office today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.