Gainesville Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trailers Accident Attorneys
Commercial trucks are essential to the economy in Gainesville. Fully loaded semi-trailers enter the city, or use it as a thoroughfare, as they get their cargo from one destination to another. However, the cargo these trucks carry is not always loaded properly. Sometimes, the truck is overloaded, weighing it down and making the trailer harder to control. In other cases, the trailer is not loaded properly, and so the cargo shifts during transport, causing the driver to lose control of the entire truck. If you have been injured in a crash, our Gainesville overloaded or improperly loaded trailers accident attorney can determine the cause and hold liable parties accountable.
Our Attorney Explains the Types of Crashes Caused by Improperly Loaded Trailers
When a commercial truck is improperly loaded, it can cause a number of different types of accidents. The most common of these include:
- Jackknife accidents: It is very difficult for truck drivers to stop a trailer that is improperly loaded because of the sheer weight of it. As the cab comes to a stop, the trailer keeps moving, and the only direction it can go is to the side, perpendicular to the cab. This is very dangerous for nearby vehicles and oncoming traffic.
- Rollover accidents: Improperly loaded trailers are extremely heavy, and they shift often, making a rollover accident very likely.
- Downhill overruns: The momentum of an improperly loaded trailer becomes even greater when a truck is traveling downhill. This can cause a truck to run over, or into, a vehicle that is in front of them and also traveling downhill.
- Tire blowout accidents: The heavy weight of an improperly loaded truck is too much for truck tires to carry, resulting in a tire blowout accident.
- Lost loads: When a truck is not loaded properly, the trailer can become loose or fall off, resulting in a lost load. The trailer that comes loose is at great risk of hitting a nearby vehicle.
The above are just a few of the most dangerous types of crashes caused by improperly loaded trailers. If you have been hurt, it is important to work with an experienced truck accident attorney who can determine if an overloaded trailer was the cause.
Our Attorney Will Identify the Liable Party
A number of different parties may be found liable for an accident caused by an overloaded or improperly loaded trailer. The most common of these include:
- The truck driver: If the driver loaded their own cargo and did not comply with state or federal laws, they can be found liable for an accident.
- The trucking company: Trucking companies sometimes overload trailers, or encourage their drivers to overload trailers, so they can deliver more goods in less time. When this is the case, they can be held liable for any accident that occurs as a result.
- Loading companies: Truck drivers do not always load their own cargo. When a third party company was responsible for this task and they failed to do it properly, they can be held liable.
Identifying the liable party after any truck accident is never easy. An attorney will determine who was at fault for your crash, and help you file a claim against them for damages.
Call Our Gainesville Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Trailers Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a crash, our Gainesville overloaded or improperly loaded trailer accident attorney at Meldon Law can give you the best chance of success with your claim. Call us today at 800-373-8000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
