Accidents Caused by Lost Cargo

Monday, March 9, 2020

Accidents Caused by Lost Cargo

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Although there are many more passenger vehicles than commercial carriers on the roadways, when there is an accident that involves a truck, the risk of serious injury is greatly increased due to the size of the vehicle involved. One of the greatest risks on the roadways is the event of an unsecured load falling off a commercial freight truck. When cargo falls into the road in front of another vehicle, there is often little to no time to react. This can result in a dangerous accident and serious injuries for those who are behind the truck that loses its cargo. 

Who is at Fault for a Lost Cargo Accident? 

While Federal law does require that the driver of the truck is responsible for securing the load that they are carrying, there are often many other parties involved in packing, loading, and securing a truck before it is ready to travel on the road. Some of the other parties involved could include a shipping company that is loading the truck or the owner of the trailer. In other cases, it could be that the driver of the truck did pack and secure the load. 

The trucking company might also attempt to avoid liability by claiming that there was a manufacturing defect with the trailer that resulted in the load falling off the truck. In most situations, they will attempt to deflect liability onto another party in order to protect their drivers and their company. Therefore, there might not be an immediate straightforward answer as to who exactly is liable for a lost cargo accident, and this is one of the important factors that your attorney will work through.

How an Attorney Can Help

When dealing with the aftermath of an injury due to a lost cargo accident, an experienced lawyer can help advocate for your rights to just compensation. The trucking company will most likely have a team of lawyers working to minimize the settlement offer after an accident, and you should have an advocate on your side working to protect your rights as well. Your attorney can help work with the other legal team, act as your liaison to communicate with the insurance companies, and take care of the legal details so that you can focus on resting and recovering from your injuries. 

Reach Out and Call a Chicago Truck Accident Lawyer Right Away

If you have been injured due to an accident in which a truck lost its cargo, it is advisable to speak with an experienced Chicago truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Injuries caused by lost cargo can be serious, and when another driver is liable for these injuries, it is your right to take legal action. The Chicago truck accident lawyers at Malman Law have many years of experience helping those victims of truck accidents who are unsure of their legal options. Call us at (312) 629-0099 or contact us online today to learn how we will fight for your right to just compensation in the event of an accident.