In the U.S., there are thousands of traffic accidents every day, some far worse than others. Truck accidents can be particularly devastating owing to the weight and cargo of the huge vehicles. Occasionally, a truck loses control of its cargo, leaving goods and debris strewn across the road – this can lead to property damage, injuries and even death. Accidents involving unsecured cargo and semi-trucks can lead to severe repercussions for the victims. But who is actually to blame?
If you or someone you love has been involved in an incident like this, you may be left feeling helpless or worried as to what you should do next. Take a look at the following article, which contains a brief overview of unsecured cargo accidents.
How Does Cargo Become Loose?
Cargo can fall from a truck in transit for a number of reasons, including overloading, imbalanced weight distribution, and improperly tightened fasteners. Perhaps the goods have been positioned too close to the edge of a flatbed platform or a truck door? Whatever the issue may be, it can usually be traced back to an individual mistake or a failure of equipment. Cargo should be completely immobilized before departure, making proper use of tarps and restraints.
Who is Held Accountable?
Depending on the accident, several parties could be held legally liable. Damages could therefore be owed to victims by the truck driver, loader, or anyone who interacted with the trailer and contributed to the loose freight. The trucking company itself could also be liable if, for example, they inadequately trained workers to safely fasten cargo to a vehicle.
The driver of the truck is responsible for checking on the cargo periodically but, in many cases, the actual style of driving is not the problem. However, in the event that the driver disregards federal guidelines or creates a severe risk to others, they could absolutely be held accountable.
What to Do if You’re Involved in an Accident
If you or a loved one is involved in a cargo accident, your first priority should always be safety. If the injuries are minor, you may be able to administer first aid. If not, call the emergency services for the necessary medical attention, or if you suspect criminal intent. Once you are sure the danger has passed, you should take a record of everything that might be useful to a lawyer. This includes license numbers and contact information for those involved, witnesses too. Furthermore, take multiple photos of the scene, and any damage sustained to the vehicles, yourself, or the surroundings. All of this information can help experts reconstruct the incident and determine culpability. If you aren’t to blame, you could be owed compensation.
To conclude, unsecured cargo accidents can be devastating, causing serious damage or injury. They can happen for a variety of reasons, and a number of different people could be at fault. Following an incident, you should collect as much information as possible so that you can build a convincing legal case and get the justice you deserve.
