Dallas Dropped Cargo Truck Accident Attorney

Personal Injury Lawyer For Crashes Due to Shifting Truck Loads in Dallas County

Safely operating a large commercial truck requires careful attention to detail well before the truck takes to the road. For example, drivers should be properly trained and vetted, and trucks should be regularly maintained and inspected. It is also crucial that whenever a semi-truck is hauling cargo, the load is fully secured to prevent it from moving in transit. Shifting or dropped cargo can lead to serious accidents that endanger other drivers on the road.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. can help you determine whether shifting cargo was a contributing factor. If so, he can represent you in your claim for fair compensation from the driver, the trucking company, and any other negligent parties. Jerry Andrews is certified as a personal injury attorney by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he has over 25 years of legal experience. He will bring his knowledge and skill to your case and serve you with the personal attention you deserve.

Why is Shifting Truck Cargo Dangerous?

In Texas, semi-trucks are permitted to carry up to 80,000 pounds in total weight, but loads of this size must be appropriately distributed across the vehicle's axles to ensure that the truck can be safely controlled for the duration of the driver's route. However, even if the weight is well distributed at the start of a route, it can move and shift as the truck accelerates, decelerates, or changes direction. This can cause the truck to lose balance and overturn, possibly colliding with other vehicles in the process. In some cases, loose cargo can fall off of the truck entirely, landing on other vehicles or creating an obstruction in the road.

To prevent this from happening, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) maintains cargo securement regulations for commercial trucking companies throughout the United States. Cargo must be restrained using securement devices that can withstand the forces of driving, with specific requirements for certain types of cargo.

Personal Injury Claims for Loose Cargo Accidents

In a truck accident involving dropped or shifting cargo, a number of different parties could be at fault, including:

• The truck driver, for failing to inspect the cargo to ensure it is secured before driving
• The trucking company, for failing to enforce FMCSA securement regulations among its employees
• The truck loading crew, for failing to properly load and secure the cargo
• The manufacturer of securement devices, if a defect causes them to fail in keeping the cargo secured

If you are injured in a truck crash, you should get medical help as soon as possible, and you should also hire an attorney to help you investigate the circumstances of the crash. As with most car accident cases, photo and video evidence can strengthen your claim for compensation from a negligent driver, and testimony from witnesses to the crash can also be beneficial. However, in order to resolve the complex questions of negligence among the various trucking industry employees, you will likely also need to obtain inspection and loading records from the trucking company. This can be difficult to do on your own, but your attorney can help, including by using a subpoena if necessary.

Once we have a better understanding of the negligent parties in your case, we can file a personal injury claim and work to negotiate a fair settlement. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for all medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages during your recovery, lost earning capacity due to disability, and pain and suffering damages for your physical and mental hardship. If a fair resolution is not possible through negotiation, we can stand up for you in trial litigation to secure a verdict that provides you with the compensation you need.

Contact Our Irving, TX Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you need qualified legal representation for your truck accident injury claim, contact our firm today at 214-221-5800. We provide a free initial consultation, and we only charge a fee for our services if we secure compensation for you. We represent clients throughout Dallas County and the surrounding areas, including Irving, Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Valley Ranch, Coppell, Garland, Mesquite, and Grand Prairie.