Large trucks have a high center of gravity, which can make them difficult to control, especially if they’re loaded improperly. If a driver loses control and causes an accident due to improper loading, you could get help from a Houston improper cargo weight distribution truck accident lawyer.
Our team at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers focuses on helping people after motor vehicle collisions. We have over two decades of experience handling accident claims.
Reach out now to learn how our Houston truck accident lawyers can help with your case.
Reasons to Choose Our Improper Cargo Weight Distribution Truck Accident Lawyers in Houston, TX
Since opening the law firm, our legal team has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Attorney Brian White is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Truck accidents caused by improper cargo weight distribution can be challenging to prove. However, our years of experience have given us extensive knowledge and resources to pursue these types of cases. Our legal team will pursue all available sources of compensation.
Our team works strategically to address all of your legal concerns. When you hire the award-winning team at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, our lawyers will:
Answer All of Your Legal Questions
Trucking accidents aren’t just larger versions of car accidents. These claims often involve regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), hours-of-service rules, and complicated interactions with big trucking companies and their insurance providers.
Our Houston improper cargo weight distribution accident lawyers understand how to handle truck crash claims, and we’re ready to answer any questions you have so you can move forward with confidence.
Investigate and Gather Evidence
Evidence can disappear fast after a trucking accident, so you need a lawyer who can move quickly to build your claim.
We know how to collect:
- Driver logbooks
- Black box (ECM) data
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Dispatch communications and cell phone data
- Eyewitness statements
- Dashcam and surveillance camera footage
- Copies of the police accident report
We work to stop big trucking and insurance companies from destroying evidence or repairing the truck before we can assess what happened. We can also work with accident reconstruction experts to collect additional evidence.
Identify All Responsible Parties
Our team understands how the trucking industry operates, which allows us to identify all potentially liable parties so we can help you achieve a full financial recovery after a crash involving a commercial truck.
A Houston improper cargo weight distribution accident lawyer may need to build a claim against the trucking company, the truck operator, or the crew responsible for cargo loading. We use our extensive experience on behalf of injury victims in your situation.
Handle Insurance Companies
Our dedicated team knows how to handle insurance claims after collisions with large trucks. We have the resources and experience to level the playing field when it comes to handling powerful insurance representatives hired by trucking companies.
We come to the negotiating table prepared to fight for your right to make a full financial recovery. We’ll assess any settlement offers made by the insurance company, compare them to your losses, and reject subpar deals.
You can count on us to fight for you every step of the way.
Assist with Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Some trucking companies aggressively defend claims, which may lead to litigation. We’re here to fight for you in this situation. We know how to handle the litigation process and work tirelessly on behalf of injury victims.
You could be entitled to substantial compensation after a truck crash. Reach out to a Houston personal injury lawyer from our firm to learn more.
For a legal consultation call (713) 500-5000
What Dangers Are Caused By Improper Cargo Weight Distribution?
Improperly loaded cargo can cause several problems. Cargo shifts can destabilize a truck and cause the driver to lose control. Improper cargo weight distribution could reduce the truck’s stopping distance, making rear-end collisions more likely.
Another problem is rollover accidents. When the cargo’s weight is not distributed correctly, it can allow for a load shift, and the truck has a higher risk of a rollover accident. High winds and unsecured loads can increase the risk.
Cargo spills, tire blowouts, and jackknife accidents are also dangers associated with improper cargo weight distribution. Too much weight on specific areas of the truck can increase the risk of tire blowouts. Cargo distribution can also increase the risk of a jackknife accident and of cargo breaking loose and falling off the truck.
Houston Improper Cargo Weight Distribution Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (713) 500-5000
Proving Negligence for a Truck Accident Involving Improper Cargo Weight Distribution
Improperly loading a truck could result in a trucking negligence claim. Negligence is failing to use reasonable care or meet a standard of care.
Therefore, if the trucking company, shipper, loader, truck driver, or other parties do not take precautions to ensure that cargo is loaded correctly, they could be liable if the truck crashes.
Proving negligence requires you to have evidence proving:
- A party owed you a duty of care
- That party breached the duty of care
- The breach of duty caused the accident
- You incurred damages because of the accident
More than one party could share liability for damages. Our lawyers will carefully analyze the evidence to identify all parties responsible for the unevenly loaded cargo. We’ll pursue claims against each party to improve your chance of receiving full compensation for all damages.
What If You Are Partially Responsible for a Truck Crash?
You may have a chance to get some compensation for your losses even if you contribute to causing a commercial trucking accident, due to the comparative negligence laws in Texas. Basically, under these laws, you can receive a percentage of your total compensation, even if you play a role in causing a crash.
The compensation you receive will decrease based on your percentage of liability for the crash. Additionally, if you hold 51% or more responsibility for the crash, you’ll lose your chance of getting payment for your losses.
Trucking and insurance companies often try to blame accident victims for crashes in an attempt to avoid paying fair compensation. Our team can push back on these unfair tactics when you turn to us for help.
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What Damages Can You Receive After a Truck Accident Caused By Improper Cargo Weight Distribution?
The damages you receive depend on the facts of your case. You can demand reimbursement for your economic damages and non-economic damages. We fight to ensure our clients get the money they need to cover:
Medical Expenses
We understand the high costs of medical treatment. Trucking crashes often result in catastrophic injuries, and we believe the liable party should have to cover all of your medical expenses, including the costs for surgeries, hospitalization, and medications.
Lost Wages
You’ll probably need a lot of time off work to heal after a crash caused by improper cargo securement. We work to ensure you get the money you need to cover your lost income after a collision.
You may also receive funds to pay for your reduced earning potential if the crash leaves you disabled.
Pain and Suffering
Our Houston improper cargo weight distribution truck accident attorneys can focus on bringing you the funds you need to cover your non-economic damages. These damages can include your emotional distress, physical pain, and mental anguish.
We know how to determine an accurate value for all of these losses.
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Will You Receive Punitive Damages?
A few personal injury claims qualify for punitive damages. Our Houston truck accident lawyers will evaluate your case to determine if punitive damages are justified. If so, we’ll pursue punitive damages to increase the compensation you could receive for your claim after a crash involving an overloaded truck.
How Long Will It Take to Get Compensation After a Crash?
Going through the legal process after a collision often takes a significant amount of time. Working with an attorney can expedite the process and minimize the time you have to wait to get compensation.
However, you should still expect to wait weeks or months for settlement negotiations to complete, and a lawsuit could take longer.
What Is the Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Texas?
You must file a Texas truck accident lawsuit within two years of the accident date. However, there could be exceptions to the statute of limitations that change the deadline. Seeking legal advice as soon as possible after the crash can help protect your right to pursue a legal claim in court.
We Can Help After a Fatal Trucking Accident
Accidents caused by improper cargo distribution can have deadly consequences. If you lost a loved one due to the dangerous actions of cargo loaders or a trucking company, you can turn to our Houston wrongful death lawyers for compassionate legal support.
We focus on providing dedicated legal assistance after deadly crashes. While filing a legal claim cannot bring back your loved one, it can help you get a sense of closure because it allows you to hold the liable party accountable for their actions.
We can discuss the steps you need to take to file a wrongful death claim when you contact us for assistance after a fatal big rig, tractor-trailer, or semi-truck accident.
Other Factors Can Contribute to Improper Cargo Weight Distribution Accidents
Cargo truck accidents often have multiple causes. For example, a trucker hauling cargo that’s improperly distributed could make additional mistakes to cause a crash. The complicated nature of these crashes makes it even more important for you to work with a lawyer who specifically handles trucking accident claims.
In some cases, driver fatigue and distracted driving contribute to collisions. Equipment failure, driver inexperience, and poor weather conditions may also contribute to a commercial vehicle accident.
We can look over surveillance footage, black box data from the truck’s electronic logging device, accident reports, and witness statements to ensure that we fully understand all potential causes of your accident with a large commercial truck.
What to Do After a Crash Caused by Improperly Distributed Weight
If you end up hurt in a crash caused by an issue with cargo securement systems or weight distribution in a large truck, you should:
Report the Crash
You need to notify the police immediately after any truck crash that results in injuries or property damage. Telling the police what happened allows them to visit the scene of the collision, assess what happened, and file an official report.
Our team often uses the information contained in the police accident report when building a truck crash claim. The official report will contain information about when, where, and how a collision happened, making it harder for the trucking company to blame you for a crash.
Note that leaving the scene of a crash without telling the police could result in hit-and-run accusations.
Get Medical Care
You should seek fast medical treatment for any injuries you sustain in a trucking crash. Getting medical care quickly will connect your injuries to the crash and make it harder for the at-fault party to deny the severity of your claim.
These accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), broken bones, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), and internal injuries.
Gather Evidence if Possible
You should collect as much evidence as your injuries allow after a truck crash. For example, you should get contact information from eyewitnesses and take pictures of your injuries.
We also recommend that you write down everything you remember about the crash, as trauma and stress can affect your memory.
Get Legal Help from Our Team
Finally, make sure that you reach out to a personal injury law firm for dedicated support with all legal matters after a collision. Our team stands ready to fight for you every step of the way, drawing on our extensive experience and understanding of the law in Texas.
We’re ready to take charge, build your claim, and do everything possible to ensure you get maximum compensation for your losses.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Us After a Collision Caused By Improper Cargo Weight Distribution
At Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers, your best interest is our top priority. We’ll handle all matters for your claim from start to finish. Call now for a free case evaluation with an experienced Houston improper cargo weight distribution accident lawyer.
Call or Text (713) 500-5000 or Complete a Case Evaluation Form
