Cargo Falling From Commercial Trucks Causes Massive Damage

Over twenty thousand crashes every year are caused by cargo falling off or spilled by trucks. Tractor-trailers, flatbed, dumper and tanker trucks haul millions of tons of cargo every day, from steel pipes or coils to gasoline and chemicals, from boxed electronics to construction materials, from cotton bales to live poultry. Hundreds of Louisiana motorists have been seriously hurt when hit by, or trying to avoid, cargo spilled on the highway.

The motor carrier industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and they devote an entire section on General Cargo Securement, which puts the responsibility of properly securing the transported goods squarely on the motor carriers' shoulders.

Unfortunately, both truck drivers who are paid by the mile and motor carriers with an eye on the bottom line often fail to inspect the way the goods are secured in the trailer, and do not rearrange the cargo distribution and securement when part of it has been offloaded, creating a dangerous instability.

If the trailer's cargo shifts in a sharp curve or when the driver slams on the brakes, the resulting shock may cause the trailer to roll over or the cargo to spill onto the highway.

When a semi-truck is involved in a serious accident, it is not unusual for part of its cargo to spill or fall on the road, which can cause terrible damage to the motor vehicles approaching the scene of the crash. Hazardous product spillage can lead to fire, explosions and toxic fumes injuring or killing many people.

On top of these threats to the safety of Louisiana motorists, seeking compensation from motor carriers can be an overwhelming experience for which the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney might be crucial.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck, motorcycle or bicycle accident caused by someone else, contact the New Orleans accident attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE discussion of your case. Order now our FREE lawyer book "A Guide To Steering Through a Serious Vehicle Accident in Louisiana."