Debris Spills and Cargo Shifts

Skilled Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyers Helping People Hurt by Debris Spills and Cargo Shifts

Compassionate representation for car accident victims throughout Oklahoma

Improperly secured cargo can shift unexpectedly in transit, which can throw off the truck’s center of gravity and cause it to crash or even roll over. You have likely placed your purse or some other unsecured item on the seat next to you while you were driving and then had to slam on the brakes to avoid a mishap. You then saw the item that had been sitting on the seat become a projectile and go flying towards the windshield. Now extrapolate that same dynamic, but with massive pallets of cargo inside of a semi-truck. Cargo shifts, and improperly secured cargo is a hazard not only to the truck driver’s safety, but the safety of the other drivers with whom they share the road.

Have you or someone you care about been injured in a truck crash that was caused by a cargo shift or a debris spill? At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping those who have been injured in truck accidents throughout Oklahoma. With 105 years of combined legal experience, we secure compensation on your behalf so that you can focus on improving health.

Cargo securement rules

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) found that cargo securement and cargo shift were a factor in causing 3.0% and 4.0% of the crashes in the study. The FMCSA has strict and comprehensive cargo securement rules, which covers the proper use of tiedowns, the use of unmarked tiedowns, unrated and unmarked anchor points, and there are also commodity-specific securement requirements. The FMCSA rules govern how the truck will be loaded, how much weight can be carried, how the load must be tied down and other practical considerations. The truck driver is required to inspect the load before departure and then 25 miles after departure. The FMCSA intended, with the strict cargo securement regulations, to reduce the number of truck crash accidents caused by shifting or falling cargo in large commercial trucks

Truck accidents due to improper loading or cargo securement

When a truck accident occurs because of a cargo shift, the truck may jack-knife or overturn. If some of the cargo spills on to the roadway, it can create debris that can create a hazard for other vehicles. Debris spills are a hazard to other trucks, cars, motorcyclists, bicyclists or pedestrians.

Bits of unsecured cargo can also become projectiles and cause serious injury to the passengers of nearby vehicles on the roadway.

If the cargo contains hazardous materials, it can cause significant damage to the health and wellbeing of people and the environment surrounding the crash site.

What types of damages can I recover after a truck accident injury claim?

At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma truck accident lawyers represent those who have been injured in all kinds of truck accidents including those caused by cargo shifts, improperly secured loads and debris spills. We find out who is at fault in casing the crash and we hold them accountable for your injuries and other losses. If you prevail in your truck accident injury claim, the following are the different types of damages that are available depending on the facts of your case:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • If the circumstances of the accident are appropriate, punitive damages might be available as well.

A truck accident involves dealing with a commercial entity as opposed to another driver in the case of a crash between two private vehicles. In some cases, not only can the truck driver be held liable, but in some cases, such as negligent hiring, the trucking company may also be held accountable for your injuries and losses.

Call to work with an experienced Oklahoma truck accident lawyer today

Every Oklahoma City truck crash attorney at Cunningham & Mears is dedicated to making sure that you obtain the maximum compensation available for your injury. From our strident negotiations with insurance companies, aggressive litigation in court to referring you to the right medical professional, it is our priority to meet your individual needs. You can learn more about how we can help you by contacting us or calling 405-232-1212 today for a free initial consultation.