Truck Accidents When Cargo Is Improperly Loaded
Weight distribution is a science; a vital one when it comes to properly operating a commercial semi-truck. Though more incidents are caused by driver error or mechanical failure, our Ogden attorneys know that many truck accidents occur when cargo is improperly loaded. While an overloaded truck can make it difficult for the driver to stop, an imbalanced load can make it almost impossible to control the vehicle and its cargo through most maneuvers. If a truck flips or collides with your passenger vehicle due to improper loading, then our personal injury attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC, are prepared to uncover the truth and help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Who’s Responsible for Improperly Loaded Cargo?
Because a truck’s cargo passes through many hands, often at different times and from different locations, managing the cargo’s layout and weight distribution can sometimes be difficult. Still, every commercial driver should be trained to notice when cargo isn’t loaded evenly, and the driver may be at least partially to blame if he/she ignores and drives off with improperly loaded cargo. Even if the driver doesn’t directly cause an accident through careless driving, a failure to manage the vehicle’s weight distribution can place the driver, and the driver’s employer, at fault for an accident. In some cases, the person or company responsible for loading and securing the cargo can also share some of the blame.
What to Look for in a Truck’s Load
If you’re not a professional truck driver, then you may have trouble eyeballing a truck’s cargo and judging whether or not it’s been loaded properly. However, there are things you can look for to help spot an improperly loaded truck and avoid its path, if possible;
- Cargo that is not covered completely
- One side of the trailer/cargo bed sits lower than the other
- Obvious, awkwardly-stacked boxes and containers (if visible)
- Loose or insufficient straps and tie-downs
In Case of an Accident
Waging through the murky aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident can seem intimidating, but our truck accident lawyers are especially skilled at investigating and helping you get through the traumatic incident. We’re also uniquely equipped to face the impressive legal resources that most major trucking companies employ. With 50 lawyers on staff and a nation-wide network of experts to call upon, Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC will make sure you’re not bullied by the company’s legal team after the incident. If you’ve been injured and/or have suffered property loss in a truck accident, we’ll thoroughly investigate and litigate your truck accident claim to ensure that all responsible parties are held responsible, and that you receive the maximum recovery possible.
Benefit from Our Expertise
Your passenger vehicle may not stand a chance against an improperly loaded truck, but with the help of Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC, you don’t have to be run over by the truck driver and trucking company after the accident. If you or someone you know has been in a truck accident, then call our law office to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
