Texas is a major transportation center for the United States, with millions of big rigs entering and crossing through the state on their way across the country each year. Unfortunately, large trucks pose unique dangers to road users. One potential risk is a lost load, where the cargo a truck is carrying falls into the road. These disasters can cause serious and fatal trucking accidents. Contact a truck accident lawyer in San Antonio for legal guidance.
What Is a Lost Load Accident?
Large trucks and 18-wheelers transport an enormous amount of cargo through Texas. Big rigs can pose many significant dangers to other drivers and road users – including risks associated with the loads or cargo that they carry.
A lost load accident describes a traffic collision caused by a tractor-trailer dropping its cargo load into the road. These accidents can involve one or multiple cars getting struck by falling cargo, or a vehicle getting into a crash while swerving to try to avoid cargo in the road.
Lost load accidents can have the added risk factor of hazardous materials (hazmat) being dumped into the road or surrounding area. These materials could be flammable, leading to a serious fire or explosion. They may also pose a risk of toxic exposure for everyone at the scene.
What Causes Lost Load Accidents in Texas?
In Texas, the driver or party at fault for a lost load trucking accident is held responsible (liable) for paying, as Texas is not a no-fault state. This means you or your truck accident attorney must determine the cause of your crash and who is at fault before you can file an injury claim.
Violated Safety Laws
Cargo can fall from a truck in Texas if it is not properly secured. Whether the truck is carrying cargo on an open or closed bed, it could lose its load if the materials are not secured or tied down according to federal safety standards.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has rules in place regarding how commercial trucks must be loaded. Cargo must be properly balanced to prevent it from affecting the truck’s stability. The truck cannot be overloaded or exceed the maximum weight allowed.
Inadequate Cargo Securement
A truck’s cargo must be properly secured with the right type and number of straps, tiedowns or stakes. This prevents cargo from shifting or falling in transit. Securement materials should be inspected regularly for signs of breakage or wear and tear and replaced as needed.
Truck Driver Negligence
Truck drivers must be trained in how to safely operate fully loaded big rigs. They are responsible for inspecting their trucks and loads, using the correct braking techniques in dangerous conditions, knowing how to safely handle a heavy truck, taking turns carefully, obeying speed limits and other traffic laws, and never driving while drowsy or intoxicated.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help You?
If you get injured in a lost load trucking accident in Texas, contact a personal injury attorney in San Antonio for a review of your legal rights. A truck accident lawyer will have the knowledge and resources to demand fair compensation for your losses from all liable parties.
You may have the right to hold a trucking company, truck driver, product manufacturer or another party accountable for your losses after a lost load collision. A lawyer can take over settlement negotiations for you or represent you in court to seek maximum financial compensation.
A lawyer can collect evidence to support and strengthen your claim, such as the truck’s black box, documents from the trucking company and police reports. You can have the mental peace to focus on healing from your injuries while a truck accident attorney handles legal matters for you.
Contact Hill Accident & Injury Attorneys to learn more about your case during a free consultation. Call (210) 361-7351 today.