When an 18-wheeler truck is improperly loaded, it can cause a catastrophic accident. An unsecured load can strike your vehicle directly, or cargo can fall onto the roadway, creating an unavoidable traffic hazard that could result in devastating injuries.
If you were involved in an accident with an improperly or overloaded truck, you need a Lafayette improperly loaded truck accident attorney from The Thibeaux Firm. We handle all types of truck accident cases and know how severe improper loading truck accidents can be. When you are ready to file a truck accident claim, call our office to get started with your case.
What Is an Improper Loading Truck Accident?
An improper loading truck accident is also known as a lost load truck accident. Often due to improper load securement, this semi truck accident can occur when a truck suddenly and without warning tips over, dumping the contents of its trailer over the road. Not only does the overturned truck present a risk to drivers on the road, but drivers may be unable to avoid the lost load of materials on the road. Drivers may slam on their brakes, causing chain reaction accidents, or swerve into the path of other traffic to avoid hitting the cargo that fell into the road.
How Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help with an Unsecured Truck Load Accident
While you may feel intimidated by the Louisiana legal process, especially when trying to recover from your injuries, rest assured that Attorney Omar Thibeaux, an experienced Lafayette overloaded accident lawyer, is well-equipped to handle every aspect of your case.
Our lost-load truck accident attorney can immediately initiate an investigation of the truck crash to collect all available evidence at the scene. They will take photographs, speak to witnesses, and determine whether the accident was captured on traffic cameras or nearby businesses’ surveillance footage. After obtaining the necessary evidence to support your claims, your personal injury lawyer assesses the liability of all potentially responsible parties to seek maximum compensation for your injuries and financial losses. If the insurance companies involved fail to negotiate and offer the fair settlement you deserve, your Lafayette overloaded accident attorney will not hesitate to file a lawsuit and pursue your losses in court. At The Thibeaux Firm, we are determined to seek the most favorable result.
Dangers of Improper Loading
Improperly loaded trucks represent a danger to other drivers on Louisiana roadways. The following are examples of how improper cargo loading can cause commercial truck accidents:
- Lost Loads – When a truck’s cargo is improperly secured, it can fall off and hit your vehicle, land on the road, or cause the truck driver to lose control because of the sudden weight shift of the load. All of these scenarios demonstrate how dangerous an improperly loaded truck can be.
- Overloading – An overloaded truck creates control issues for the driver. Not only is it more challenging to steer, but overloading also compromises the truck’s stability and requires more braking distance, which the driver may not recognize. All these factors can increase the risk of Lafayette truck accidents.
- Weight Shifts – Weight shifts in a large commercial truck change the vehicle’s center of gravity, which can lead to rollover accidents or difficulty braking, especially if a sudden maneuver by the driver is necessary. Weight shifts are especially dangerous when the vehicle is overloaded or the cargo is improperly secured.
If you suspect improper loading could have contributed to the crash, contact an experienced Lafayette truck accident lawyer today. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
State and Federal Trucking Regulations Regarding Load Securement
Federal law limits truck weight to minimize the risk of overloaded (and thus improperly loaded) trucks on the road. Specifically, the gross vehicle weight of trucks is limited to 80,000 pounds on the interstate system. Single-axle trucks are limited to 20,000 pounds. Tandem-axle trucks cannot exceed 34,000 pounds.
Under Louisiana law, trucks can exceed some of the above-referenced federal limits. Louisiana permits axle tolerances on non-interstate highways of an additional 2,000 pounds for single axles and 3,000 pounds for tandem, tridum, or quadrum axles. Vehicles with a tridum or quadrum axle are permitted to have a gross vehicle weight of up to 88,000 pounds on any non-interstate state highway and 83,400 pounds on interstates. Further, Louisiana law allows several axle and gross vehicle weight exemptions for transporting certain types of commodities and various vehicles.
If the truck driver, trucking company, or cargo loading company violated these regulations and this contributed to the 18-wheeler accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your losses. The Thibeaux firm can help.
Who Is Responsible for Unsecured Load Accidents?
If you suffered injuries in a truck accident due to an unsecured load, your attorney can gather evidence concerning the load as they assess liability for the accident. Several freight handlers could have loaded cargo at multiple locations during the truck’s route.
Federal trucking regulations require that drivers inspect the cargo loaded onto their vehicle and how it is secured at various points during the trip. Specifically, truck drivers must perform an inspection before the trip begins, during the first 50 miles of the trip, whenever they begin a driving period (such as after a break), and at 150-mile intervals or every three hours.
Trucking companies are responsible for following safety regulations and the negligence of their drivers.
To hold a driver or other at-fault party liable for an unsecured load accident, your attorney will determine when cargo was loaded, the frequency of the driver’s inspections, and any records indicating how the load was secured and if additional load securement devices were added.
Contact Our Experienced Lafayette Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When you need a skilled and knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Lafayette, call The Thibeaux Firm. Since Attorney Thibeaux is known as “The 25% Attorney,” you never have to question what you’ll owe – you will pay a flat 25% fee if he secures compensation for you through a settlement or judgment at trial.
Attorney Thibeaux is as caring as he is hardworking, meaning you can expect to receive the compassion you need and the strong legal advocacy you want when recovering from an improperly loaded truck accident that was not your fault. At The Thibeaux Law Firm, we strive to offer every client the respect and understanding they deserve in their time of need. Contact us today to get started with your case in a free consultation.