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Semi Truck

Semi-trucks are engineered to carry freight. They can haul thousands of pounds of cargo from city to city, transporting vehicles, machinery, lumber, hazardous materials/chemicals, and other bulky loads. It is also common for these trucks to carry consumer goods, appliances, furniture, or even animals. Fuel – in liquid or gas form – is a common form of cargo as well.

Even without cargo, commercial trucks present a dangerous threat on the road due to their higher center of gravity, multiple blindspots, enormous weight, increased stopping distances, and problems with making turns. Bad weather and lack of experience can exacerbate these vulnerabilities. Truck accidents can cause enormous damage and devastating injuries, and adding cargo to the equation can make the outcome of a collision exponentially worse.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident due to someone else's negligence or recklessness, contact our trusted personal injury lawyers at Trust Guss today for a no-cost case evaluation.

Cargo Can Exacerbate Truck Accident Damage in a Variety of Ways

Trucks carrying cargo are known to cause among the most catastrophic accidents on the road, collisions that lead to extensive property damage and severe injuries for the victims involved.

  • Traditional cargo – A collision with a commercial truck carrying a large load can cause the trailer door to open and the cargo to spill out onto the roadway. This can start a chain reaction, leading to a multi-car pileup and other disastrous consequences.
  • Flatbed trucks – If certain cargo does not fit in a traditional trailer due to its odd shape or excessive weight, it will typically be transported on a flatbed truck. These types of vehicles can carry cars, lumber, or even small houses. When flatbed trucks get into accidents, such as rollover or jackknife crashes, released cargo can gather dangerous momentum, landing in the path of other motorists and oncoming traffic. Logs that slip off a flatbed truck can roll across the entire highway, causing spectacular chaos.
  • Tanker trucks – Tanker trucks are designed to transport dangerous chemicals or fuels that can be toxic or flammable if spilled. Collisions with tanker trucks can result in burns, exposure to sickening fumes, and the fallout from explosions. Injuries after these types of crashes can be catastrophic.

Common Injuries Related to Improperly Loaded Trucks

A truck that is not loaded properly has the potential to cause irreparable harm on the road. When truck drivers and truck companies ignore regulations around cargo loading, and someone gets injured as a result, victims can file a claim to recover compensation for their losses. Truck accidents are typically more complex than other types of collisions to navigate, requiring the expertise of a personal injury lawyer who has handled similar high-value cases in the past. At Trust Guss, our team has over 30 years of success in obtaining the maximum in damages for our clients.

Crashes involving traditional cargo trailers, flatbed trucks, and tanker trucks can lead to a wide array of serious injuries, including the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
  • Amputations
  • Burns
  • Paralysis
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Strained or torn muscles
  • Eye damage
  • Wrongful death

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Involving Improperly Loaded Cargo?

When you hire a skilled personal injury lawyer, they will determine liability based on all available evidence, including police reports, video footage, photographs, witness statements, and testimony from accident reconstruction specialists. Your attorney can hold the following parties liable in improperly loaded cargo-related truck accidents:

  • The truck driver – If the driver failed to properly secure the load, they can be held responsible for accidents and injuries caused by their error.
  • The trucking company – If a trucking company failed to train drivers properly in cargo loading and securing techniques, they can be held liable for an accident that occurs due to their negligence.
  • The loading company – Companies that are responsible for cargo loading must be diligent in adhering to the guidelines for load securement. If they are negligent and an accident occurs as a result, they can be considered at fault.
  • The manufacturing company – If the cargo was not properly secured due to an equipment defect and an accident happens as a result of the oversight, the manufacturing company could be considered culpable.

Potential Damages in Truck Accidents Exasperated by Improper Cargo Loading

Victims in cargo-related truck accidents may suffer devastating injuries and losses that completely transform their lives and routines. If their losses were caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness, they may be entitled to an array of economic and non-economic damages, including the following:

  • Present and future medical expenses, including those related to surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, at-home care, assistive devices, physical therapy, and more
  • Property damage, including expenses related to repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and any items inside the car at the time of the accident
  • Lost wages and loss of future earning opportunities
  • Pain and suffering, encompassing compensation for emotional distress and chronic physical pain, as well as PTSD and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death, including funeral and burial expenses

If you’ve been involved in a cargo-related truck accident, our compassionate, dedicated personal injury lawyers at Trust Guss can calculate the monetary value of your damages, helping you to claim what you truly deserve after a harrowing experience.

How an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

Working with a personal injury lawyer after a debilitating cargo-related truck accident can be invaluable, allowing you to maximize your chances at a successful claim and devote your energy to the healing process instead of navigating complex legal issues. Our team will do the following:

  • Investigate the accident
  • Collect vital evidence
  • Identify all liable parties
  • Evaluate the available insurance coverage for your claim
  • Work with industry experts to strengthen your case
  • Calculate the monetary value of your damages
  • Negotiate with insurers and third parties on your behalf
  • Ensure your claim is filed within the deadlines dictated by the statute of limitations 
  • Take your case to court if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Contact a Cargo-Related Truck Wreck Attorney Today to Schedule a No-Cost Case Evaluation

Victims in truck accidents related to poorly secured cargo may suffer severe injuries and sustain extensive property damage. Our team of personal injury lawyers at Trust Guss is standing by to help you garner the maximum in compensation so you can begin rebuilding your life for yourself and your family. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you never have to pay any legal fees upfront. Call us today to set up your no-cost case evaluation.


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