Improperly Secured Cargo Can Lead to Catastrophic Truck Accidents in Texas
According to the Texas Department of Transportation accident statistics, tragically The Lone Star State leads the nation in fatal truck accidents. Overall, Texas had 32,562 total commercial vehicle accidents last year alone, accounting for over 13% of all fatal trucking accidents in the United States.
Our Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys truck accident attorney know firsthand that these collisions happen for multiple reasons, including truck driver negligence, trucking company negligence, and mechanical failures
Another common cause of accidents and injuries on Texas roadways involves 18-wheelers and other commercial vehicles carrying tens of thousands of pounds of improperly loaded cargo.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Texas truck accident caused by improperly loaded freight, we stand ready to help you. Call (512) 883-0277 today.
How Does Improperly Loaded Cargo Cause Commercial Truck Accidents in Texas?
Improperly loaded trucks, whether they are carrying produce, construction equipment or materials, or household goods, can cause the truck’s weight to shift during transport, which can cause the trailer to lose balance and overturn without notice.
In some cases, if the freight shifts in transit, the commercial vehicle may be difficult to stop, because of the uneven weight pushing forward, causing the truck to collide with other vehicles.
When flat-bed semi-trucks are carrying cargo like lumber, concrete, metal, and other raw materials or large machinery that is improperly loaded, the outcome can be disastrous as the goods can hit or even impale nearby vehicles, causing catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
Because of the inherent nature of Texas’ oil and gas industry, a commercial truck spill can be disastrous when flammable liquids or hazardous waste are involved.
- Gasoline spilled onto the highway can ignite and cause fires or explosions.
- Spilled oil can make the roadway slippery, which can cause other drivers to lose control of their vehicles, creating a chain of accidents, and severe ongoing risks for burns.
- Corrosive or toxic chemicals that spill from a truck can put anyone near the scene at risk of serious injuries.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the proper cargo requirements for commercial trucks, including 18-wheelers, commercial vehicles, and gas, oil, and toxic chemical transport vehicles that operate throughout the United States.
The General Cargo Securement Requirements outline the details for loading and unloading procedures, sizes and weights, and shapes and characteristics for commercial truck transport.
They explicitly state that commercial trucks must be able to handle the capacity and strength of the cargo they are transporting to safely navigate the roads.
However, even with clear and important regulations in place, the crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are caused by a commercial vehicle’s improperly loaded cargo are often the result of human error.
What Are The Common Causes of Incorrectly Secured Truck Cargo Crashes in Texas?
Cargo regulations outlined by the U.S. Department of Transportation include the accurate and required methods to load, stack, balance, and tie down all cargo that is loaded onto semi-trucks.
When truck drivers, trucking companies, or third-party cargo loaders fail to correctly secure their cargo, everyone on the roadway is placed in danger
Some of the most common causes of incorrectly secured cargo collisions can include:
- Improper or defective tie-downs provided by the trucking company
- Using equipment that is not in accordance with government regulations
- Poorly balanced or the unstable stacking of cargo
- Trucking company negligence “cutting corners” due to rushed deadlines, which leaves no room for the driver to double-check the cargo’s stability
- Truck driver negligence when failing to assess/adjust any cargo movement during transport
- Truck drivers making quick turns that throw the weight off balance
- Cargo loaders who failed to secure the load before the truck exits
Commercial vehicles, especially 18-wheelers, have a high center of gravity that makes them more likely to roll over than other vehicles, which is why the exact, proper balance of cargo is incredibly important to everyone’s safety.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in Texas, contact our skilled truck accident lawyers in Austin today to learn more about your legal rights and options to seek justice from all liable parties.
Why Do I Need a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Texas?
Texas commercial vehicle and 18-wheeler accidents are much more complex than passenger vehicle collisions for many reasons.
First, the size and weight of a semi-truck can cause significant injuries or fatalities when its improperly secured cargo causes it to overturn onto or collide with much smaller cars, trucks, or SUVs.
Next, the potential for several parties, whether it is the negligent truck driver, trucking company, or another third party that was responsible for loading the truck, requires our skilled 18-wheeler accident attorneys in Texas to evaluate each party’s liability in the crash and pursue them for their portion of our client’s damages.
Finally, truck accident investigations are much more extensive and detailed than other motor vehicle crashes, and require extensive legal knowledge, skill, and resources to produce results.
Our managing attorney and law firm founder, Glen Larson, has handled 18-wheeler truck accidents and represented injured Texans — and injury clients throughout the United States — for more than 15 years with one important goal: To pursue dedicated results for the injured. We stand ready to help you, starting with a free consultation.
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Have You Been Injured in a Texas 18-Wheeler Accident? We Can Help.
If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one during a commercial vehicle accident in Texas, call our skilled Austin personal injury attorneys at Glen Larson Law Injury Attorneys at (512) 883-0277 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
We pursue dedicated, driven results for our clients, and there is never a charge to talk to an attorney. We stand ready to help you.
