Improperly Loaded Trailers and Commercial Truck Accidents

Large commercial trucks pose an inherent safety risk to everyone else on the road. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that large trucks are involved in nearly ten percent of fatal motor vehicle collisions in the United States. Truck accidents can happen for a wide variety of different reasons, including improperly loaded trailers. In this article, our Atlanta truck accident lawyer provides an overview of the risks posed by improperly loaded trailers and your options to get compensation if you were injured in Georgia. 

Improperly Loaded Trailers Can Cause Catastrophic Truck Accidents

When carrying the maximum legal load, a commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. It is imperative that cargo is secured properly and that the tractor trailer is loaded safely. Improperly loaded trailers can contribute to trucking accidents in Georgia. Some of the most notable reasons why improperly loaded trailers are dangerous include: 

• It is more difficult for an overloaded truck to make a safe stop; 
• Poorly loaded/poorly balanced trucks struggle to maintain their own lane; 
• Improperly secured cargo can fall off and cause a safety hazard; and
• Poorly loaded tractor trailers are at higher risk of rolling over in a crash. 

Truckers and Truck Companies Have a Duty to Properly Secure Cargo

There are federal safety regulations in place to ensure that trucking companies and other businesses involved in commercial trucking take care to safely load trailers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has put cargo securement requirements in place for all commercial trucks involved in interstate commerce. 

Notably, trucking companies also have a general requirement under Georgia state law to operate their fleet in a safe manner. Georgia is an at-fault, comparative negligence state for truck accidents. If a truck is involved in a crash because of an improperly loaded trailer, the responsible parties, including the truck company, can be held legally liable for the damages. 

Recovering Financial Compensation After a Poorly Loaded Trailer Truck Accident

Georgia allows truck accident victims to hold the at-fault trucker and truck company liable for the full value of economic and non-economic losses. Unfortunately, the commercial insurers that handle these claims are highly aggressive. They try to settle improperly loaded cargo accident claims for less. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers can help you secure the full financial relief you deserve under Georgia law. You may be eligible to recover compensation for: 

• Automobile repairs; 
• Emergency room care;
• Medical bills;
• Lost wages; 
• Loss of earning power; 
• Pain and suffering;
• Disfigurement;
• Disability; and
• Wrongful death. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Truck Wreck Attorney in Atlanta

At Wetherington Law Firm, our Atlanta truck accident lawyer provides personalized, justice-driven legal advocacy in catastrophic injury cases. If you were involved in a commercial truck accident caused by an improperly loaded trailer, we can help. Contact us today for a no cost, no obligation review of your case. With a law office in Atlanta, we handle truck accident claims throughout the area, including in Marietta, College Park, Decatur, Norcross, Douglasville, Alpharetta, and Kennesaw.