Raleigh Improperly Loaded Truck Lawyer

Trucks at a warehouse loading dock in Raleigh.

Were you hurt in North Carolina in a crash caused by an improperly loaded commercial truck? Are you worried about trying to get medical care or compensation on your own? The team at Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers can help. Call us or contact us online today for a free, no-obligation consultation and discover how a Raleigh improper loading truck accident lawyer can help you.

How Improper Truck Loading Causes Accidents in Raleigh

Improperly loaded trailers change the way an 18-wheeler handles. The consequences of an unbalanced or overweight load can include the following:

  • Cargo shifting on uneven roads
  • The truck is drifting into other lanes
  • Longer stopping distances
  • The trailer swaying
  • The truck jackknifing
  • Cargo is dropping onto the roadway
  • Difficulty steering the vehicle
  • Tires blowing out

If your injury happened in an accident that resulted from improper cargo loading, your best recourse is to contact a Raleigh improperly loaded truck accident lawyer right away. Your attorney can advise you about who could be liable for your injuries, how much your case might be worth, and the best way to pursue the compensation you need for your injuries and other losses.

Federal and North Carolina Cargo Loading Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) created national rules governing commercial truck operations in order to help keep road users safe. Its cargo securement rules require that all carriers, truckers, or cargo-loading companies use appropriate tiedowns, dunnage (loose materials to support cargo), dunnage bags (inflatable bags that fill empty spaces), and/or shoring bars to firmly immobilize or secure cargo. The regulations include specific securement requirements for logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, concrete pipe, and other products.

North Carolina law governs the weight and size of commercial vehicles allowed on the state’s roads. N.C.G.S. Section 20-116 limits the height of any tractor-trailer to 14′ and the width to 102″ to 114″, depending on the type of cargo. Under N.C.G.S. Section 20-118, the total weight of any big rig is limited to 80,000. A truck cannot carry more than 20,000 pounds per single axle or 38,000 pounds per tandem axle. N.C.G.S. Section 20-119 allows carriers to obtain permits for vehicles of excessive size or weight at the Department of Transportation’s discretion.

Who Is Liable for Improperly Loaded Truck Accidents in Raleigh?

Several parties could be liable for improperly loaded cargo accidents in North Carolina. The potentially liable parties include the following:

  • Truck Drivers – Truckers have a legal duty to ensure that their cargo is properly secured. They are required to inspect the cargo and securement devices at the start of their route and within the first 50 miles.
  • Trucking Companies – Trucking companies must ensure their trucks are loaded and operated in accordance with FMCSA rules. They may be liable for their drivers’ failure to perform appropriate safety checks if the company provided no training.
  • Cargo Loading Companies – Third-party companies that load trucks have a duty to properly secure and balance cargo. Their failure to comply with the appropriate weight and securement restrictions can make them responsible for injuries and losses arising from accidents caused by improper loading.
  • Shippers – In some instances, shippers may require cargo companies to transport loads precisely as they left the shipper’s facility. Liability could fall on a shipper who made a loading error that caused a wreck.

How to Prove Fault for an Improperly Loaded Truck Accident

It takes solid evidence to prove who’s responsible for an improperly loaded truck accident. Although it is possible to handle your case on your own, your best option is to hire an experienced North Carolina overweight truck accident attorney. They will know which types of evidence are most valuable and how to use them to build a persuasive argument in your favor. This might include the following:

  • Bills of lading or manifests indicating how much cargo was on the truck
  • The drivers’ pre-trip inspection report about how the cargo was secured
  • Digital evidence from CCTV cameras, traffic cameras, dash-cams, and other surveillance equipment
  • Testimony from eyewitnesses who saw the accident occur or company employees who noticed that the cargo was improperly loaded

Just collecting this evidence is insufficient. A lawyer can put all these facts together into a compelling narrative that reveals how the at-fault party’s actions caused the accident that injured you. They’ll then use this narrative in negotiations with the at-fault party or their insurance company as they seek a settlement on your behalf. If the at-fault party or insurer won’t make a fair offer, your attorney can then make their argument at trial.

Compensation Available for Raleigh Truck Accident Victims

If you’ve been injured in an improperly loaded truck accident in North Carolina, you can demand compensation for the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Future lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • PTSD
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Property damage, such as vehicle repair/replacement

Contact Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Were you hurt in an accident caused by improper cargo loading? Don’t try to handle your case yourself. These cases are difficult, and one wrong move could prevent you from recovering the compensation you deserve. You need one of the unsecured cargo crash lawyers from Hardison & Cochran | Injury & Workers Comp Lawyers to handle your case. We have more than 40 years of experience representing injured people, and we’re ready to get to work for you, too.

We’ve obtained millions of dollars in settlements and awards for our clients over the years. Here’s what one of our clients had to say about working with us:

“My interaction with Hardison & Cochran was superb. They kept me fully informed of my case and advise on what to expect and everything went accordingly. I especially was elated with the client/attorney confidentiality and relationship. Hardison & Cochran was at my disposal for my every need and question! Thumbs up!” – Toney H.

Don’t wait. Call our firm today to discuss your case with an attorney for an unsecured cargo truck accident. Your initial consultation is free and fully confidential.