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There are many reasons why a semi-truck driver could lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident. Many of these reasons are related to the driver’s negligence, including in cases involving speeding, distracted driving, driver fatigue, and drunk or impaired driving. However, sometimes the root cause of a truck accident is something that happens before the truck enters the roadway. One common factor in many semi-truck crashes is improper loading of the truck’s cargo.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict regulations for cargo loading and securement in commercial trucks. If these regulations are violated in any way, the risk of an accident tends to increase. Some cargo-related causes of truck accidents include:
Truck drivers are typically required to thoroughly inspect their cargo to make sure it is safely loaded and secured. If there is evidence that the driver failed to perform the required inspections, they may be considered negligent and liable for damages to accident victims. However, it is common for other parties to share liability in an accident involving improperly loaded cargo. These can include the employees responsible for loading the truck, or the company that employs the driver or loading crew.
To understand who all may be at fault, it is crucial that you can access all available evidence as soon as possible. An attorney can help you obtain police reports from the crash, as well as records from the truck log and trucking company to look into the loading and inspection history. With this evidence, you can make a stronger case for full compensation from all parties.
At Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Jambois, our personal injury attorneys have experience handling truck accident cases of all kinds. We will work with you to understand the damages you are entitled to recover and strive for a fair settlement or trial verdict. For a free consultation with a Winnebago County truck crash lawyer, contact our office today at 815-215-7561.
Sources:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/cargo-securement-rules
https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/policy/rpt_congress/truck_sw_laws/app_a.htm