Falling Debris Truck Accidents
Most drivers are familiar with small debris on the roadways that occasionally chip or crack their windshields. Small rocks get kicked up by fast-moving tires and sometimes hit the windshield of a smaller passenger vehicle. Usually, the debris is too small to cause any damage, but loose cargo, steel beams, logs, or other cargo that was not properly secured to the tractor-trailer can lead to an accident and injuries.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in helping injured drivers and their families in North Carolina and South Carolina in dealing with the devastating consequences of commercial truck accidents. He puts his experience to work for each client in order to ensure that his injured clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Cargo Regulations and Falling Debris
Commercial truck drivers are responsible for ensuring that their cargo is properly secured and distributed in order to transport it safely. This cargo must be secured so that it does not fall off the tractor-trailer under normal conditions.
When trucks are overloaded with cargo or that cargo is not correctly secured, then serious problems can result. An overloaded truck takes longer to stop and cannot make maneuvers as easily as a properly loaded truck. Unsecured items are a serious danger to other drivers on the road because large items, if dropped, can hit passenger vehicles. Unsecured cargo can hit the highway and cause other vehicles to crash while trying to avoid these road hazards.
Overloaded trucks can cause brakes to thin prematurely, leading to break failure or causing tires to blow out and then the truck driver loses control. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides regulations for truck weight limits and for securing cargo and distributing it during transportation.
Drivers are required to inspect their cargo to ensure that the securement devices and systems are fully operational for safe transportation. Semi-truck drivers are not permitted to drive a semi-truck unless all cargo is secured. Trucks carrying cargo must also inspect it within the first 50 miles of a trip in order to make any necessary adjustments. The cargo must then be inspected or reexamined when the driver changes duty, has been driving for three hours, or has driven 150 miles.
North Carolina and South Carolina Truck Accident Attorney
When falling debris from trucks causes an accident and injuries, you need an attorney who can go through the process of determining whether the cargo was properly secured and who is responsible for causing your injuries. Truck accident attorney Brian Steed Tatum will manage your case from beginning to end.
At the Tatum Law Firm, we are determined to ensure that you receive all of the compensation allowed by law. We are available to discuss the merits of your claim and offer guidance in order to pursue legal recourse. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a semi-truck collision, please contact our office at (704) 307-4350 or online for a free case evaluation.