Tractor Trailer Cargo Issues: A Guide For Other Drivers On The Road
Unsecured cargo on tractor trailers is a contributing factor to accidents on roadways each year. Some of these accidents result in fatalities and injured victims. Tractor trailer trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than regular vehicles, and they also require more time to brake, which is one reason why trucks hauling unsecured cargo are dangerous. Knowing how to safely handle your own vehicle in the event of a truck's cargo mishap could save your life, but if you or a loved one are injured, you could be compensated.
Protecting Yourself on the Roadways
Beware of traveling closely behind tractor trailer trucks. Keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and these trucks may allow you ample time to brake or stop if a cargo securement emergency occurs.
If a cargo issue happens, ensure that you activate your hazard lights to warn vehicles behind you. This can aid in preventing a car pile up.
Keep in mind that the driver of a tractor trailer may not be aware that cargo is flying off of their rig. Call authorities to report cargo issues even if a wreck has not occurred yet. You may need to provide license plate information. Memorize it, or have a passenger write it down. Ensure you have a good description of the truck at a minimum.
Proving Liability
There are a number of ways to prove liability if you are involved in an accident that is the result of a cargo issue. If multiple vehicles are involved, the same or similar stories will likely be entered on police reports. This may strengthen victims' cases.
Accessing log book information can also reveal whether a trucker was negligent. A lawyer is a good resource to use for determining whether there were issues documented that suggested a problematic load. A driver continuing to drive under those circumstances could be considered negligent.
Sometimes the issue of proving liability is more complicated. For example, a load could have been secured properly, but the equipment used to secure the cargo could have been defective or worn out. Broken fasteners and straps are examples of equipment that could cause cargo securement issues.
Final Thoughts
If death occurred to a loved one in an accident involving cargo issues, surviving family members could be compensated. Liability would still need to be proven, and a wrongful death suit may need to be filed. Some insurance companies initiate settlement offers to families of deceased accident victims. Any such offers should be referred to an accident lawyer to determine whether they fully cover the damages and loss experienced by surviving relatives.
For more information about how to proceed with a car accident lawsuit, contact a firm such as Kaston & Aberle.
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