Safe Truck Loading

Loading and unloading trucks requires certain precautions and training to ensure materials are safely placed in a tractor-trailer. Materials that are improperly loaded can cause serious accidents on the road. Knoxville truck accident lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe understands the complexity of tractor-trailer accidents. Mr. Hartsoe has over a decade of experience focusing a large portion of his practice tractor-trailer accident cases, and over twenty years of experience litigating personal injury claims. He can provide the legal help you need to recover compensation for your injuries. Contact attorney Mark C. Hartsoe today to discuss your case.

Tractor-trailers carry a variety of materials on our roads and highways. It is up to the various parties responsible for the loading and transportation of these materials to ensure they do so safely and in compliance with the procedures set out by several government agencies. For example, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces regulations that govern the loading and transportation of hazardous materials. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration sets out regulations and procedures that govern the off-highway loading and unloading of materials. It has certain training requirements for forklift operators, and specific handling procedures for certain industries, such as logging and beverage.

An accident can occur if a tractor-trailer is improperly loaded. In a recent study by the FMCSA, the agency investigated the causes for truck rollovers that exist before trucks actually go on the road. Improper loading was the main cause of these accidents. Many of these accidents could have been avoided if the loads had been safely placed on the trucks before the driver got on the road.

Tractor-trailer accidents that involve the unsafe loading of materials are complex and require a thorough investigation of the parties and circumstances involved. Several parties have a duty of care in the loading and transporting of materials via tractor-trailers. Drivers must exercise due care when they operate their vehicles. Shipping companies and manufacturers must follow certain procedures set out by various government agencies to ensure materials are transported safely on the road.

Several factors need to be considered to determine who is at fault in a truck accident involving unsafe loading. These include:

• Driver – Did they check that their loads were properly secured? Were they fatigued, speeding or carelessly driving?
• Manufacturers and Shipping Companies – Were their employees properly trained on how to safely load trucks? Did they follow the proper procedures in loading their specific materials?
• Overweighted trucks – Was the truck overloaded? Did this cause the truck to tip over or the driver to lose control of the truck?

In order to hold a party accountable in these accidents, it is crucial to gather and preserve information and relevant evidence as quickly as possible.

Once fault is established, you may hold a party liable for the injuries you sustained in an accident. Because of the sheer size of tractor-trailers, these injuries can be extensive and have a lasting financial impact on you and your family. Liable parties can include the driver, the trucking company, and the trucking company’s insurer. You can potentially recover for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and any future long-term care associated with your injuries.

If your relative died in this type of accident, a wrongful death claim can possibly help you recover for their medical bills, funeral expenses, and pain and suffering.

Knoxville truck accident attorney Mark C. Hartsoe has significant experience handling complex tractor-trailer accidents. Mr. Hartsoe has dedicated more than twenty years to representing victims of all types of serious accidents, including those involving tractor-trailers. He understands the urgency of gathering the required evidence in these cases to ensure the proper parties are held liable for their actions. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer accident, call us today at 865-804-1011 or contact us online for a free consultation.