The Dangers and Accidents Caused by Trucks Transporting Unsecured Loads
Anyone who drives on the highway has probably been behind a truck transporting a heavy load. Cargo loading companies and trucking companies do not always properly secure cargo in their haste to deliver goods and make profits. Truck accidents due to improper loading can cause extensive injuries and property damage, so motorists need to be aware of the risks and dangers of unsecured truck loads while on the road.
What Are the Risks of Unsecured Loads?
The main risk of unsecured loads is that they can fall off the truck and create road hazards. Loose cargo can block the road or even directly strike other vehicles. An unsecured load might also hinder road visibility and make truck handling more difficult, such as when navigating steep hills or tight turns. Unsecured loads can also cause the weight to shift in the tractor-trailer, leading to dangerous jackknife accidents that can injure or kill motorists in adjoining lanes.
Why Are Unsecured Loads So Dangerous?
Loaded tractor-trailers and semi-trucks can carry tens of thousands of pounds of cargo. All that weight can cause catastrophic injuries and property damage if it comes loose and collides with a car. Even if only a small portion of the load falls off, it can still have devastating consequences. Collisions with unsecured truck cargo can cause:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Concussions of traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Amputated limbs
- Wrongful death
In addition to these collision injury risks, an unsecured load can create road hazards if it comes loose. For example, you may have to swerve to avoid an improperly secured load and crash into another car. A commercial truck might also collide with your car if the driver loses control of the vehicle because of an unbalanced load.
Legal Consequences for Transporting Unsecured Loads in Ohio
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created rules for securing commercial cargo. Breaking those rules can indicate negligence. Multiple parties can be liable for damage from an unsecured trucking load — it depends on who is responsible for load securement.
The trucking company or truck driver may be responsible if they do not check for proper load securement. The loading company might be responsible for negligent loading practices. If the accident happened because a piece of the securement equipment broke, the manufacturer of that item could be liable for injuries and property damage.
If you are injured in a truck accident due to improper load securement, you can file a personal injury claim to recover any losses you have suffered. Trucking companies, drivers, and trailer manufacturers carry liability insurance to cover losses their activity might cause. A personal injury attorney can help you take steps to initiate a formal legal claim to recover financial compensation.
Contact Our Ohio Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a truck accident due to improper loading, the law should hold the responsible parties accountable. You need an attorney who will fight tirelessly to recover financial compensation and secure your well-being. Contact Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law online, or call today to speak to an Ohio truck accident lawyer for free.
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At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we only represent consumers. We fight for regular people who have been seriously hurt in accidents. We fight for people who are being crushed by overwhelming debt and need a fresh start. We fight for individuals and families. Never businesses. Never insurance companies. We are loyal to the consumer.
