San Jose Attorney for Truck Accidents Caused by Improper Loading

Lawyer for Loose Cargo Trucking Accidents

Truckers understand their responsibility on the road, and they understand the devastating impact they can cause when even a small mistake leads to a truck accident. There is no margin for error when loading a semi-truck. State and federal laws, as well as industry standards, specify how cargo is to be secured in and on trucks — on flatbeds or in trailers — to maximize safety on the road. Improper tie-down can cause a load to become unbalanced, leading to swaying of the truck in traffic. Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo may fall from a truck, and this can cause devastating accidents that result in catastrophic injuries.

Following an 18-wheeler accident caused by improper loading or loose cargo, make sure you have an attorney who will fight for you. From his offices in San Jose, personal injury attorney John J. Garvey, III has been protecting the rights of trucking accident victims for more than 45 years. He understands what you are up against and what needs to be done in order to get the compensation that will fully address your injuries and damages. He will not back down from the trucking company responsible for your accident, and he will make sure the negligent parties are held responsible for the harm you have suffered.

Careful Investigation Into the Cause of the Trucking Accident

Improper truck loading is one of the most common causes of trucking accidents. Heavy cargo that falls from a trailer may not damage the truck, but it can create a serious hazard to following vehicles. Loads hauled in an open truck bed may fly off and into the path of oncoming vehicles — sometimes falling off overpasses and crashing down on top of passing cars. Even cargo such as paper that litters a highway may cause a serious accident. This is even more true of heavier objects, such as concrete pipe sections, I-beams, industrial equipment, pallets, or contents of boxes.

Large items that fall from a truck and strike other vehicles can inflict severe injuries. A vehicle may be seriously damaged, and people inside may be crushed under heavy cargo. This can lead to traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, paralysis, or other forms of serious bodily harm. Even if cargo does not land directly on top of a vehicle, it may obstruct traffic. Drivers may swerve or stop suddenly to avoid these obstacles, which could lead to collisions with other vehicles or even pileups that affect a large number of drivers and passengers.

Improperly loaded cargo can also affect a driver's ability to control a semi-trailer truck. Unbalanced cargo can affect a truck's balance, potentially leading to rollover accidents or other types of collisions. If a truck driver takes a turn too fast, the truck's load can shift, causing the truck to skid into another lane or even turn over and obstruct traffic in multiple lanes. These accidents can affect multiple other vehicles, and an overturned truck or trailer may spill cargo onto the road. When trucks are carrying hazardous materials, this can lead to additional safety issues that may affect everyone in the surrounding area.

Unless you see a strap come loose or a door fly open, it can be difficult to tell whether improper loading was a factor in a trucking accident. That is where the team at the Law Office of John J. Garvey, III can help. We work with experts who can reconstruct an accident, investigators who can review records, and trucking industry professionals who can identify the issues that were a factor in a truck accident. Mr. Garvey will work to ensure that a truck driver, a trucking company, or a company that loaded cargo onto a truck will be held responsible for accidents caused by loose or falling cargo.

Contact Our Santa Clara County Cargo-Related Truck Accident Attorney

Were you injured or was your loved one killed as a result of loose cargo that flew off a truck or threw a trailer off balance? Contact the Law Office of John J. Garvey, III at 408-293-7777 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with our trucking accident attorney. We are prepared to go to work immediately to determine the truth about the causes of a truck accident and ensure that the responsible parties will be held liable for their negligence.