The Dangers of Unsecured Truck Loads

One of the things that makes large trucks so dangerous is their size and weight. When traveling at a high rate of speed, an accident with a large truck can be catastrophic. One of the hidden dangers of large truck accidents, however, is due to the loads they carry. An unsecured load can cause an accident, or make an unavoidable accident significantly worse.

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in the Charlotte area, the lawyers at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys can help. We fight to make the responsible parties are held accountable so that you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation of your case with one of our truck accident attorneys, call (980) 237-4579 today, or reach out through the online contact form.

Dangers Posed by Unsecured Loads

The reason why truck loads are so closely regulated is that there are many serious hazards posed to other motorists by an unsecured load. Such dangers include:

• Debris and material can spill onto the roadway causing sudden and unexpected road hazards for other drivers.
• Items can fall off the truck and onto other vehicles resulting in immediate injury to drivers and passengers.
• Loss of control of the truck due to the unbalanced load could result in an accident.
• Additional damage and injuries could occur due to unsecured load coming loose during an accident.

An unsecured load can result in severe injuries and even death, especially when the trucks are traveling on high-speed roadways and interstates.

How Unsecured Truck Loads Occur

There are various failures that can result in an unsecured load, including:

• The truck was loaded beyond its recommended capacity.
• The load was secured using inadequate straps or other equipment.
• The driver failed to regularly check the load and ensure that it was adequately secured.
• The truck was loaded in a manner that did not comply with industry safety standards.
• The truck lacked adequate tie-downs or other features needed to properly secure the load.

Unsecured Truck Loads Are Typically The Result of Negligence

In each of the situations described above, someone failed to make sure the truck was loaded safely. This typically constitutes negligence. The trucking company and their employees owe the public a duty to ensure that their trucks and the loads they carry are safe to be on the road. They are negligent whenever they fail to comply with industry standards or government regulation, or simply fail to exercise due care. If you are injured as a result of their negligence, they may be held liable and required to compensate you for your losses.

The Challenges of Cases Involving Unsecured Loads

In truck accident cases involving unsecured loads, there are a number of unique issues that can make them very challenging for non-lawyers. For example, you will first have to deal with a corporate entity, which is designed to shield their owners and management from personal liability. They will almost certainly be represented by counsel who will be working to minimize their liability exposure.

More importantly, it can be difficult to even determine who may be responsible for the accident. Many truck drivers are independent contractors, meaning that they are not employees of the trucking company. In addition, the trucking company may hire another company or other contractors to load their trucks. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you sort through these issues and determine the best way to proceed.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today

Truck accidents are traumatic events that can change your life forever. Let the team at Randall & Stump, Criminal Defense Attorneys help fight for you to get the compensation you need to put your life back together. While you concentrate on healing, we’ll handle calls with insurers and the other party’s legal counsel. Contact us online, or call (980) 237-4579 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys.