Improperly Loaded Truck Cargo Can Cause Horrific Auto Accidents

 Posted on December 13, 2019 in Truck Accidents

The trucking industry is essential to our way of life. Truckers haul more cargo than trains, airplanes, or ships, and they do so under conditions that few could tolerate. However, the trucking industry is also responsible for thousands of auto accidents every year, many of which are caused by falling or unsecured truck cargo. When freight is improperly loaded or secured, items can shift within the truck’s trailer or fall out onto the road. Truck accidents caused by loose cargo are often fatal or result in serious, life-changing injuries. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident caused by falling cargo, you may be eligible for compensation.

Determining Fault in a Loose Cargo Truck Accident

There are typically several factors that lead to a truck accident. The truck driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or simply sleep deprived. The roads may be icy or wet from rain. In situations like these, small driving mistakes can be amplified many times over if the truck’s load is not secured properly. 

In other situations, there may be problems with the way the truck cargo was loaded or defects with the gear that holds the cargo in place. A single loose tiedown or a defective ratcheting device could cause the entire load to become unstable. 

Determining who is liable for damages caused by a truck accident can be complex Sometimes, the fault lies with the truck driver, his or her employer, the truck manufacturer, the manufacturer of the tiedowns or other cargo securement devices, or the party responsible for loading the truck.

Determining Responsibility

A qualified personal injury lawyer can help you determine who is at fault for your accident and hold that party accountable. Through a personal injury lawsuit, you could receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages from work, pain and suffering, and more.

It is important to note that an injured person or the estate of a person killed in a truck accident can still pursue compensation even if the injured person partially contributed to the accident. Under Illinois comparative negligence law, an injured person may collect damages if he or she was not more than 50 percent responsible for the accident. This means that even if you were speeding or otherwise partially contributed to the accident, you can still pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.   

Contact a Lake County Truck Accident Lawyer

Insurance companies are often quick to offer a low settlement which does not fully compensate an injured person for the damages they suffered after a truck accident. At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., we work to get our injured clients the full compensation they need so that they can move on with their lives following a serious truck accident. Call our office at 847-662-3303 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Waukegan personal injury attorney to learn how we can help.

Sources:

https://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-trucking-industry-71922.html

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/073500050K2-1116.htm