How Improper Loading Increases Atlanta Truck Accident Risks
Improper loading creates serious risks on local roads. Whether it involves items tumbling off an old pickup truck or materials from an overloaded flatbed, unsecured loads and flying debris increase the potential for truck accidents in Atlanta. Unfortunately, it can have catastrophic consequences for nearby drivers.
If you were involved in a crash and suspect improper loading is to blame, contact our experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers. We explain more about how these crashes happen and steps to protect your rights to compensation.
Unsecured Loads Are a Serious Danger on Atlanta Highways
Both federal and state regulations require commercial truck drivers and trucking companies to properly secure all cargo before hitting the road. When they fail to do so, loose or shifting loads can fall onto the highway, strike other vehicles, or cause drivers to swerve and lose control.
The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that road debris causes more than 200,000 crashes throughout the U.S. annually. Common causes of unsecured load accidents on Atlanta roads include:
- Failure to use proper tie-downs, straps, or cargo nets.
- Overloading a truck beyond its rated capacity.
- Uneven weight distribution that causes shifting during transport.
- Debris falling from dump trucks, flatbeds, or open trailers.
- Failure to inspect and re-secure cargo during long hauls.
Section 40-6-248.1 of the Georgia Code prohibits drivers from operating a vehicle with an unsecured load. You have the right to hold them accountable, but determining liability can be more complicated than it appears.
Who Is Liable When Unsecured Cargo Causes an Atlanta Truck Accident?
In Georgia, the Department of Public Safety enforces cargo securement rules under federal guidelines established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Regulations require that all cargo be immobilized or secured to prevent shifting, falling, or leaking. Violations of these rules can serve as direct evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver to include the trucking company, a third-party cargo loader, or even the shipper who prepared the load for transport. Ways our Atlanta truck accident lawyer can help:
- Investigating the cause of the debris or load failure.
- Identifying all liable parties.
- Obtaining FMCSA inspection reports, driver logs, and loading records.
- Working with accident reconstruction experts to document how the crash occurred.
- Fighting for the total compensation needed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Evidence in these cases can disappear quickly. Take immediate action to protect your rights in an injury claim.
Contact Our Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer After an Unsecured Load Crash
Improperly secured cargo puts every driver on Atlanta’s highways at risk. At Shiver Hamilton Campbell, we hold negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable and fight to recover the maximum compensation our clients deserve.
If you were injured in a crash caused by flying debris or an unsecured load, contact our Atlanta truck accident lawyer today to request a consultation. We represent clients throughout Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties, including Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Marietta, and coastal areas such as Savannah and St. Simons Island.
Sources:
aaafoundation.org/aaa-foundation-traffic-safety-culture-index/
fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement
