Drivers of large trucks have a number of responsibilities that go along with safe driving. One of their primary responsibilities is to make sure the cargo in their truck is properly loaded, balanced, and secured, even if they did not load the truck themselves. Truckers are also responsible for regularly checking the stability of their loaded cargo during each road trip.
If you or a family member were injured in an accident caused by a spilled load or by a large truck that became unbalanced because of its improperly loaded cargo, you may be entitled to payment for your accident-related expenses.
Do not allow an accident that was not your fault to create a financial hardship for you and your family. Call the Morris Bart law firm at (205) 380-4158 to speak to a Birmingham accident caused by improperly loaded cargo lawyer near you.
Improperly Loaded Truck Cargo Can Pose a Serious Health Risk
When drivers of large and commercial trucks are effectively, thoroughly, and properly trained, safely loading and securing their cargo is part of that training. Because the cargo large trucks carry can be extremely heavy or extremely hazardous, the federal government has rules and regulations in place to ensure cargo safety.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the following cargo loading regulations have been established:
- Use of appropriate tie-downs that secure a truck’s load and prevent it from damaging the truck or falling during transport
- Use of tie-downs and other methods of securing a load that meet the specific weight and cargo type
- Use of tie downs that prevent cargo from shifting during transportation
- Weighing and measuring cargo to ensure it does not cause the truck to exceed its posted weight limit
If you were involved in an accident with a large truck and you believe improperly loaded cargo contributed to the cause of the accident, you may be able to hold the driver or his employer responsible for your accident-related expenses. Contact a Birmingham improperly loaded cargo lawyer to find out about your financial compensation options in the aftermath of an improper cargo-related accident.
Types of Truck Loads Covered by Federal Cargo Regulations
Because large and commercial trucks move goods, raw materials, and hazardous products all over the country, it is important for every cargo-loaded truck to maintain a proper weight and proper balance. An imbalanced truck could alter the vehicle’s center of gravity or make braking more difficult than it should be. Cargo regulated under the federal guidelines include:
- Liquids
- Gases
- Sand
- Gravel
- Logs
The FMCSA regulations also apply to general cargo and are designed to make sure every cargo-loaded truck on the road does not pose a hazard by creating any of the following potentially dangerous road hazards:
- Leaks and spills
- Flying or falling debris
- Cargo shifts that alter the truck’s stability
If an improperly loaded cargo truck played a role in the accident that caused your injuries or property damage, contact a Birmingham improperly loaded cargo lawyer to explore your options for financial compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a Improperly Loaded Cargo Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call 800-537-8185
The Damage Caused by Cargo Truck Accidents
Because cargo trucks are typically the largest and heaviest vehicles on the roads and highways, they put all other cars, small trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians at a disadvantage in a collision or in a cargo spill.
In 2017, the FMCSA reported 4,657 large truck accidents that resulted in fatalities. There were also 107,000 large truck accidents that resulted in injuries. There were an additional 363,000 accidents that involved property damage but did not cause injuries or fatalities.
If you were involved in an accident with a large truck, commercial truck, or cargo truck, your risk of injury, death, or property damage is far greater than the risk to the truck’s occupants.
If you or a family member or passenger in your car were injured in a collision with an improperly loaded cargo truck, you could be entitled to receive an insurance settlement or file a lawsuit that will compensate you for your losses.
Call the Morris Bart law firm to speak with a member of our team who may be able to help you get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and damage to your car.
Help Your Lawyer Support Your Damage Claim
You can build support for your claim for financial compensation with copies of your police report, medical records and bills, and witness statements. You may have taken pictures of the accident scene that might help explain how the accident occurred and prove that the cargo shifted, spilled, or fell from the at-fault truck.
If you or someone you know took pictures of the accident scene, check to see if the pictures depict the time of day and road and weather conditions. If they were taken with a smartphone or digital camera, they might also have a beneficial date and time stamp.
Share any photos you or anyone else at the scene of the accident may have taken with local Birmingham improperly loaded cargo lawyers who may be able to negotiate your claim for compensation.
Call a Lawyer Near You if Improperly Loaded Cargo Caused Your Car Accident
Truck drivers are responsible for safely and securely loading, tying down, and sealing their cargo. If a truck was carrying an improperly balanced load and it led to an accident where you were injured and your vehicle was destroyed, call a lawyer right away.
A Birmingham accident caused by improperly loaded cargo lawyer can help you hold the truck driver or his employer financially responsible for the accident that led to your injuries, property loss, income loss, and other accident-related expenses. Call the Morris Bart law firm at (205) 380-4158 to be connected to a lawyer near you today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
