Waldorf Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for Cargo-Related Truck Accidents in Waldorf, MD

Commercial trucks haul heavy loads across long distances. The cargo they carry must be loaded and secured correctly to ensure that a truck driver can operate their vehicle safely. When cargo is not loaded correctly on a truck, the results can be catastrophic. Cargo-related truck accidents can lead to serious injuries, and victims of these types of accidents will need to understand their legal options.

At Farmer & Klopfer, our lawyers can assist with truck accidents involving overloaded cargo, unsecured cargo, or items that fall into the road. We have multiple decades of legal experience in personal injury cases, and we have successfully obtained compensation for many people who have been seriously injured. Our team can determine who was responsible for a truck accident, and we will fight aggressively to secure compensation for an injury victim.

The Dangers of Overloaded Trucks

There are strict limits on how much weight a commercial truck is allowed to carry. When a truck is loaded beyond the legal weight limit, this can affect how the vehicle handles, and a truck driver will be more likely to lose control. Some of the safety issues that can occur when trucks are overloaded include:

Problems With Braking

A truck's braking system is designed for a specific maximum weight. When a truck is overloaded, its brakes will need to work harder to bring the vehicle to a stop. More time and distance will be needed to slow down, and a truck driver may be unable to stop in time to avoid a rear-end collision or another type of accident.

Tire Failure

Truck tires can handle specific weights, and an overloaded truck will place stress on tires. This stress can cause heat to build up in tires, leading to wear or causing tires to break down. This can increase the risks of a tire blowout. When tires fail while a truck is traveling at a high speed, the driver may lose control and collide with other vehicles. Tire debris from a blowout can also strike other vehicles and cause accidents.

Stress on Other Equipment

Excess weight will not only affect a truck's tires and brakes. Overloaded cargo can place stress on axles, suspension systems, and the frame of the truck. Equipment may fail because of stress, and this may affect steering and handling, causing a truck driver to lose control.

Rollovers

When a truck is carrying too much cargo, it will be at a higher risk of a rollover accident. An overloaded truck can be top-heavy, making a rollover more likely when a truck driver makes a turn, changes lanes quickly, or makes other types of movements.

Unsecured and Improperly Secured Cargo

When cargo is loaded on a truck, it must be secured in place using the proper equipment, such as chains or straps. When cargo is not secured correctly, it can lead to issues such as:

Shifting Cargo

A load that is not secured in place can move when a truck accelerates, brakes, or takes curves. When cargo shifts to one side of the trailer, it will affect the truck's center of gravity. An unbalanced truck may cause a driver to lose control, which could lead to a jackknife accident, a rollover, or another type of dangerous crash.

Falling Cargo

When the items a truck is carrying become loose, they can fall off the truck and into the road. Trucks may carry multiple types of large, heavy objects, such as construction materials, machinery, lumber, steel, or agricultural products. These items may fall on other vehicles, leading to shattered windshields, crushed roofs, and other damage that can seriously injure drivers or passengers. When cargo lands in the road, it can create obstacles that can lead to dangerous accidents.

Who May Be Held Responsible for Cargo-Related Truck Accidents

When a truck accident involved an overloaded truck or unsecured cargo, there are multiple parties who may share responsibility for causing the crash. A truck driver may be responsible for their failure to properly inspect the cargo on their truck and ensure that it was secured correctly. A trucking company may also be found to be liable for its failure to train a driver on their requirements related to cargo and inspections, or its failure to maintain oversight over the ways trucks are loaded.

A cargo loading company or shipper may also share liability due to its failure to load or secure cargo correctly. When a company's personnel overloaded a truck, failed to distribute cargo correctly, or did not secure cargo in place, the company may be responsible for failing to follow the correct safety procedures.

In some cases, the manufacturer of equipment may be held responsible if defects in their products caused cargo to become unsecured. Defective chains, straps, or other equipment may be addressed through product liability claims.

Contact Our Waldorf, Maryland Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyers

Cargo-related truck accidents may involve a variety of complex legal issues. At Farmer & Klopfer, our lawyers can help determine why an accident occurred and who was responsible. We will address violations of weight limits, dangerous practices by cargo loaders or trucking companies, or negligence by truck drivers. We can take steps to help clients obtain the full compensation needed to address injuries caused by overloaded trucks or falling cargo. Contact our Waldorf cargo-related truck accident attorneys at 301-843-3890 to set up a free consult.