Were You Injured In An Improperly Loaded Truck Accident? Our Mississippi Lawyers Can Help!
Before a truck hits the road, trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for loading and securing their cargo. When a company fails to follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) laws in regard to cargo, it could put the driver and everyone else on the road at risk. An improperly or overloaded truck can be more difficult to control and may become imbalanced, causing tire blowouts, rollover incidents, brake failure, jackknifing incidents or other part breakdowns. If you were injured in a truck accident as the result of an improperly loaded truck trailer, you may qualify for compensation.
At Kilpatrick & Philley, our attorneys offer a personalized legal plan for each client. With over a decade of experience, our firm can provide honest legal advice and aggressive representation to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Call our firm at 601-707-4669 to schedule a free consultation.
Trucking Weight Regulations
Truck manufacturers assign each vehicle a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which designates how much weight the vehicle may safely convey. These numbers are determined by the brakes, axles, frame, suspension, and powertrain of the vehicle and what it can safely handle. If a trucking company or driver loads a vehicle beyond its carrying capacity, the results could be disastrous and could put everyone on the road in danger.
Cargo Guidelines For Trucks And Trailers
According to FMCSA loading laws, truck cargo should be loaded according to specific guidelines. These laws vary according to cargo type, weight, and the type of truck or trailer used. In general, cargo should be secured with tie-down restraints, rolling cargo should be restrained with wedges, chocks or cradles, and inflatable bags or shoring bars should be used when necessary in order to prevent cargo from shifting.
Extremely large loads that extend over the back of the vehicle by four inches or more should be marked with colored lights to indicate an overhanging load. Trucks or trailers carrying specialized machines or heavy objects, (such as steel beams, crane booms or heavy machinery), should be restrained by specialized restraining systems.
Potential Dangers
When a truck or trailer is not loaded correctly, the balance or distribution of weight in the vehicle could be extremely dangerous. Trucks transporting chemicals or other potentially dangerous liquids may spill cargo if it is loaded incorrectly, leading to road spills. If the chemicals are flammable, this could be especially dangerous for the truck driver and anyone else on the road.
Loose cargo could swing about in the trailer, which could cause the driver to lose control of the heavy vehicle, possibly leading to a rollover or jackknifing incident. Accidents like these can be catastrophic and often lead to multiple-vehicle incidents that may result in serious or fatal injuries.
Choose Kilpatrick & Philley
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident involving a truck that was overloaded or carried poorly secured cargo, you may be able to seek compensation. Improperly secured cargo might fall off of truck trailers, causing road obstructions or falling directly onto surrounding vehicles. Chemical spills can also cause road hazards, leading to multiple-vehicle accidents, especially on highways and freeways where even a minor spill could affect a number of drivers and passengers. If a company or driver fails to properly load a truck, they may be held liable for any resulting damages, including medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. If you were injured, our firm wants to help.
Contact Kilpatrick & Philley to discuss your truck accident case.