Large commercial trucks are inherently more dangerous than other motorcycle
vehicles due to their sheer size and weight. They are more difficult to
maneuver and brake than passenger cars and trucks under the best of circumstances.
When negligence on the part of the trucker, the trucking company, or both
comes into play,
the risk of serious truck accidents becomes significantly higher.
Not all truck accidents involve collisions with other vehicles. One of the most common causes of commercial big rig accidents is improperly loaded cargo. At the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley in Sacramento, trucking accidents and improperly loaded cargo are elements of many of the auto accident cases we have handled successfully throughout the years. Mr. Buckley has a finely honed talent for investigating and reconstructing truck accidents, carefully collecting all of the evidence necessary to presenting the strongest possible cases on behalf of injured victims and their families.
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a truck caused by improperly loaded cargo, personal injury attorney Larry S. Buckley has the resources and skills to help you obtain the full measure of compensation to which you are entitled.
Improper Loading
In order to ensure the safety of the occupants of other vehicles on the road, truck drivers must properly load and secure their cargo before operating their rigs. The proper loading and securing of cargo is necessary to prevent:
- The trailer from moving erratically and causing the truck driver to lose control of his or her vehicle.
- Large pieces of cargo, such as logs, pipes, wooden planks, appliances, construction equipment, and even other cars and trucks, from breaking loose and entering onto the roadway.
- Small pieces of cargo and debris from falling off the truck and striking another vehicle or creating an obstruction.
Improper loading of cargo can also take the form of loading too much cargo onto a truck. An overloaded truck is more likely to jackknife or overturn, putting the lives of the truck driver and other drivers and passengers on the road at risk.
Cargo Loading Laws
Truck drivers and trucking companies are regulated by the Motor Carrier Safety Administration (MCSA), an agency of the federal government. The MCSA has established very strict guidelines regarding:
- How cargo is to be secured on or within the truck in general
- How cargo that may roll off of the truck must be restrained
- How specific pieces of cargo, such as logs and piping, must be secured
- Weight limits of cargo
- Special requirements of trucks carrying particularly heavy or hazardous cargo
If the truck driver, the trucking company, or both fail to adhere to these guidelines and an accident occurs as a result, the victim of the accident may be entitled to monetary damages. These damages may include compensation for hospital and other medical bills, physical therapy and rehabilitations expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses and expenses stemming from the accident.
Contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley
To arrange an evaluation of your truck accident case, please contact the Law Offices of Larry S. Buckley today.