Car Accident Caused By Item Falling Off A Truck
As a driver, you might have seen the aftermath of an accident caused by unsecured or poorly secured items falling off a truck. From furniture to lumber, boxes, mattresses or pieces of metal used in industrial projects. Various objects can turn into hazardous projectiles. The prospect of being behind a truck in motion when its cargo spills onto the road is frightening.
Usually, trucking companies are responsible for properly securing items to a truck while the driver is liable for any havoc caused by objects falling from a moving truck. While these laws may vary from state to state, both truck drivers and trucking companies generally have some liability.
— Car Damage —
Drivers who fail to secure items properly in their trucks put other road users in danger. Whether the driver is hauling garbage, pipes, construction materials, furniture or equipment, all truck drivers are responsible for ensuring that their cargo does not cause injury to others. If falling objects cause an accident, the truck driver and the trucking company may be legally responsible for any damages incurred by the victims.
If you were driving behind a truck carrying timber or other bulky items that fell and damaged your car, you might be eligible for compensation for the damages done to your car; from repair costs to paying for a rental car until your car is fixed.
Truckers are obligated to ensure the safety of other drivers; this includes properly securing their loads. Failing to properly secure a truck load can lead to negligence claims, which renders the truck driver responsible for damages incurred. Some truck companies try to decrease their responsibility by placing signs on the backs of their trucks warning drivers not to follow closely. In spite of any claims that the trucking company is not responsible for damage caused by falling items, they’re still legally responsible for not properly securing the items.
— Working with the Right Injury Lawyer —
Most of these trucking companies have lawyers who will attempt to mitigate their responsibilities in your accident. Working with an effective car accident law firm is a good way to ensure that you have adequate representation when filing a lawsuit. In some instances, the driver’s insurance company or the trucking company may try to intimidate you into taking a low settlement. It is imperative not to talk to the other insurance company without your lawyer in attendance.
Filing a lawsuit may appear intimidating, but drivers and trucking companies must be held liable for damages caused by poorly secured cargoes. They have a responsibility to pedestrians and other drivers to share the road cautiously and without causing injury. When there’s a breach in this responsibility, you may have a cause to file a lawsuit.
The car accident lawyers at Petrov Law Firm have settled many cases of car accidents caused by items falling off trucks or debris on the road. Contact Petrov Law Firm today if you are an injury victim.
