Orland Park Truck Accident Attorneys for Shifting or Dropped Cargo

Lawyers for Victims of Truck Accidents Caused by Unsecured or Falling Cargo in Orland Park, IL

There are many potential reasons for truck accidents. While driver negligence is often a factor in these accidents, other issues can also increase the likelihood of collisions or cause people in other vehicles to suffer injuries. Issues related to the cargo carried by a truck may put people in danger, and these may include situations where cargo is loaded incorrectly or is not tied down or secured in place properly. Because the items carried by commercial trucks are often large and heavy, they can cause a great deal of damage and inflict serious injuries if they have not been loaded correctly or secured in place to prevent them from shifting or falling from a truck.

When truck crashes are caused by shifting cargo, the parties responsible for loading a truck and ensuring that it is safe may be held liable. A truck driver may be responsible for failing to inspect cargo and ensure that it is safe, and a trucking company or shipping company may be liable due to unsafe procedures or failure to ensure that cargo was secured in place. If you were involved in a truck accident that was caused by shifting or dropped cargo, or if a loved one lost their life in a truck collision involving faulty truck loading, Schwartz Injury Law can help you take steps to hold the negligent parties accountable. We will work to ensure that you can receive compensation that will fully address your injuries and other damages that have affected you.

Dangers of Loading Trucks Incorrectly

Commercial trucks have a high center of gravity, so incorrect and unsafe stacking or distribution of cargo can impact a truck's balance. When items are stacked too high, a truck may become top-heavy, increasing the chances of a rollover accident. Cargo that is unbalanced, such as by stacking heavy items on one side of a trailer or too close to the front or back of the truck, can also affect a truck driver's ability to remain in control. When traveling at high speeds or negotiating curves, an unbalanced truck may move unexpectedly, and a jackknife accident or another type of accident may occur.

A truck's load must also be secured in place correctly. Chains, straps, or other apparatuses that are approved for use on commercial trucks must be used to ensure that cargo does not shift while a truck is moving. Truck drivers are also required to inspect cargo throughout a trip to ensure that it remains in place and has not shifted. If a truck driver or cargo loader is negligent in ensuring that cargo is properly secured, shifting cargo can throw off the balance of a truck. This can lead to a loss of control that may affect a truck driver's ability to avoid collisions.

In some cases, cargo that is not tied down or secured in place may fall off a truck's trailer. This can be very dangerous for people in other vehicles. Large items may land directly on other vehicles, crushing them and inflicting serious injuries on drivers or passengers. Cargo may also create an obstacle in the road, leading to accidents when other vehicles collide with these items. Drivers may make sudden swerves to try to avoid hitting fallen cargo, and this could lead them to collide with other vehicles. When cargo falls on a busy highway, it may lead to a multi-vehicle pileup that creates massive property destruction and injures a large number of people.

When shifting or dropped cargo is a factor in a ruck accident, a case can quickly become complicated, since there may be multiple parties who acted negligently and failed to make sure a truck was loaded correctly and cargo was properly secured. At Schwartz Injury Law, we understand the federal regulations that apply to the trucking industry and the proper procedures that must be followed when loading trucks. We can perform investigations to determine who was responsible for an accident, and we can take legal action to recover compensation from a negligent truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, or manufacturers of faulty straps or chains that were meant to secure cargo. Our attorneys will fight to ensure that justice is served and that people injured in truck accidents will be able to recover the full compensation they deserve.

Additional Causes of Truck Accidents

Shifting or lost cargo could be just one of the factors that led to a truck crash. Other forms of negligence may have also played a role in an accident, adding to the risks of cargo that had not been loaded properly. Speeding by a truck driver can become even more dangerous when cargo is unbalanced, and it could lead to a rollover or jackknife accident. Issues that affect a truck driver's ability to maintain control, such as driver fatigue or the use of alcohol or drugs, can be compounded by improperly loaded cargo. Improper maintenance can also increase the likelihood of a truck accident involving unsecured cargo.

Contact Our Orland Park, Illinois Cargo-Related Truck Accident Lawyers

To determine whether truck driver negligence, dropped cargo, shifting loads, or other issues related to negligence were responsible for causing a truck accident, the team at Schwartz Injury Law can investigate your case and help you determine your legal options. We will fight for the compensation you need for a full recovery. Contact our Orland Park truck accident attorneys at 708-888-2160 for a free consultation.