Unsecured Loads and Truck Accidents

Experienced New York City Truck Accident Lawyers

Most of us have driven behind a large truck carrying heavy cargo in its rear — lumber, logs, cars on a tow truck, construction equipment, refuse or debris, etc. And most of us know that uncertain feeling when those loads look less than stable on the back of the truck.

We comfort ourselves with a reassuring pep talk. Surely, we tell ourselves, these truck drivers wouldn’t operate at high speeds or on public roadways if they were less than confident in the stability of their cargo.

OUR OFFICE IS HERE TO TELL YOU, THOUGH, THAT THOSE LOADS ARE OFTEN AS UNSECURE AS THEY APPEAR TO BE.

Unsecured loads and truck accidents have been a growing problem in the United States for several decades. In 2004, a AAA study found that unsecured materials are involved in approximately 25,000 auto accidents yearly. In 2007, The New York Times reported that unsecured loads represent an increasing threat on our highways, describing it as a more dangerous version of the littering epidemic that once plagued American roadways.

“Where ‘deliberate’ litter used to reign,” the Times wrote, “… ‘unintentional’ or ‘negligent’ litter from poorly secured loads is [now] making its presence felt.”

People often suffer serious injuries in these accidents, and many have died. Like other commercial truck crashes, unsecured loads and truck accidents account for some of New York’s worst traffic catastrophes. An experienced truck accident attorney can assist in your efforts to recover compensation for your injuries.

Laws are in place to prevent these accidents, and the parties responsible can be held accountable for their negligence — usually financially, but sometimes also criminally. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Tucker Lawyers PC can help victims recover compensation in these cases and fight for justice in the face of a terrible ordeal.

How do Unsecured Loads Cause Truck Accidents?

Commercial trucks are both large and delicate. There is very little margin of error for loading them properly. They require careful balance and appropriate heft. Excessive weight, lack of balance, insufficient restraints for loose items, or using the wrong kind of truck for the cargo can all cause disasters.

WHILE THERE ARE MANY PERILS CONCERNING UNSECURED LOADS AND TRUCK ACCIDENTS, SOME SCENARIOS ARE ESPECIALLY COMMON:

• Loose items drop off the back of a truck, crashing onto the hood (or through the windshield) of the car behind it, crushing or killing its occupants.
• Loose items drop off the back of a truck, causing the vehicles behind it to swerve and/or crash.
• Loads shift while a truck is in motion, causing the truck bed to lose balance. This alters the truck’s center of gravity, causing it to roll over.
• Chemicals or other hazardous materials can spill onto cars or roadways, causing burns, fires, explosions, toxic exposure, or environmental damage.
• Vehicles lose cargo without causing immediate harm, but the cargo stays in the roadway. Later, a car unknowingly strikes the object while driving (often at night, when the obstruction is hard to see).

How Can Improper Load Maintenance Lead To Truck Accidents?

Trucking companies and drivers have federal guidelines to follow when transporting cargo. Some of these guidelines involve the following:

• Using secure systems that can withstand deceleration and acceleration movements
• Securing cargo with parts that are not damaged or worn
• Attaching every tie-down to prevent it from loosening during transportation.

Drivers, loaders, and trucking companies who fail to follow these guidelines enhance the chances of a truck accident.

Unsecured loads and truck accidents go hand in hand, and they are more common than most people realize. Please exercise extreme caution when traveling behind any commercial truck. Keep your distance, and avoid following large trucks for long periods, if possible. If injured in a truck accident due to unsecured loads, contact our truck accident attorneys as soon as possible.

Injuries From Unsecured Loads

Being involved in a truck accident caused by unsecured loads can cause serious injuries for you or your loved one. The flying debris from the rig can strike you unexpectedly, causing a brain or spinal injury.

Your limbs can be crushed from the impact, leading to more serious injuries like amputations. You may have been exposed to toxic chemicals that leaked from the rig, leading to more serious conditions like cancer. These injuries require lifelong medical treatments like:

• Physical therapy
• Multiple surgeries
• Pain medications
• Home care services
• Speech therapy
• Medical devices.

Seeking Compensation From an Unsecured Truck Load Accident

Unsecured truckload accidents are usually preventable. They often occur from some form of negligence. When you have suffered serious injuries because of another person’s negligence, you may be able to obtain some compensation for your injuries.

When truck accidents happen, several parties may be held responsible. If these parties contributed to your or your loved one’s accident, they should be liable for their recklessness.

Even if your injuries are permanent, you are still entitled to compensation. Recovering from your injuries will become quite expensive. If you’re unsure about whether you have a legitimate case, you may want to consult with an unsecured truckload accident lawyer.

Seeking Legal Advice After an Unsecured Truck Load Accident

If this is your first time in an unsecured truckload accident, you don’t want to leave your compensation up to chance. You want to rely on the expertise of the right NYC unsecured truck load accident attorney. You can gain more clarity after consulting with a lawyer. An unsecured truckload lawyer can:

• Identify all of the responsible parties
• Interview eyewitnesses
• Negotiate with the insurance companies
• Gather evidence that can strengthen your claims
• Represent you at trial, if necessary.

Get Compensation. Call An Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer.

You may be entitled to substantial financial compensation if you or a loved one has been injured in any unsecured load truck accident in New York.

RESPONSIBLE PARTIES MAY INCLUDE:

• The truck driver
• The driver’s employer
• The truck manufacturer
• Local or state governments
• Any of the various companies involved in the distribution chain
• The insurance companies for all of the above
• Any other party whose negligence contributed to your injuries.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorney For Wrecks Caused By Unsecured Loads

Fighting for compensation can seem overwhelming when you have been injured in an unsecured truckload accident. Speak with an unsecured truckload accident lawyer to better understand your case.

Tucker Lawyers PC has years of experience in handling commercial trucking accidents. We have earned a strong record of results for the injured in New York. Our talented team offers insightful and aggressive legal representation, even when big companies or insurers are on the other side. Call our office at (516) 399-2364 or submit our contact form today to schedule a free consultation with a truck accident attorney.

Managing Attorney John. J. Tucker, Esq.

John has personally handled thousands of clients who were victims of another’s negligence and fights relentlessly for their rights. John enjoys bringing closure to a client’s matter so that the injured party can move forward with their life. His background enables him to evaluate complex liability related claims and bring resolution to claims in a record time frame. [ATTORNEY BIO]