The Incidence of Georgia Trucking Accidents Due to Improper Loading
Have you ever noticed a truck ready to topple over or with loose debris falling off and nearly hitting other vehicles? Unfortunately, you probably answered in the affirmative. Such conditions can not only be frightening to other drivers, they can also lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening car accidents. Specifically, a large truck that is overloaded can greatly affect its ability to maneuver, and since trucks already require more time to stop to begin with, this can lead to disastrous results. In other words, a truck that is already heavy as it is – some weighing in excess of 80,000 pounds - and is loaded past capacity is much more likely to cause rear end and other types of catastrophic collisions.
Additionally, trucks that are improperly loaded or overloaded can also cause truck rollovers which can sometimes crush other cars in their path. Said conditions can also lead to side swipe accidents, since a truck that is unbalanced due to loading issues is more likely to swerve into other lanes and cause collisions with other vehicles. Falling debris, spilled chemicals, loose rocks and cement, and unsecure tarp/debris covers can also cause serious accidents, especially when they come in contact with other drivers.
Most accidents of these types often occur at warehouse and store loading docks, where unsuspecting people are struck by falling debris while unloading a truck. As noted above, many of these accidents also occur on highways and other heavily trafficked roads, creating serious risks for everyone involved. Although accidents cannot always be avoided, there are ways in which truckers can avoid injuries, such as:
- Making sure that all goods, debris and other material are stable and properly secured.
- Inspecting your truck before taking off to make sure that it can sufficiently maneuver with heavy loads.
- Checking tire pressure, brake systems and other parts of your truck to make sure that they are in working order.
- Speaking to your employer to ensure that you are complying with all applicable state rules and regulations governing truck loading.
If you were hurt in a trucking accident in Georgia caused by improper cargo loading, it is crucial that you contact an attorney who knows the ins and outs of handling these types of challenging cases. The Georgia truck accident lawyers of Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, steadfastly represent trucking accident victims located throughout the state of Georgia and all over the Southeast. With nearly 30 years of legal experience, the attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, have successfully helped thousands of personal injury victims obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Our firm covers all smaller cities in Georgia and the rural parts of the state as well. Regardless of where you are located, our lawyers are just a phone call away, and we will even visit you if you cannot come to us. To schedule your free, confidential case evaluation, you can call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.
For over 39 years the Attorneys at Montlick & Associates have been helping families throughout Georgia and the Southeast. Montlick & Associates concentrates its practice on personal injury law, providing caring and high quality legal representation. The firm is well recognized not only for its legal work, but also for its extensive and unprecedented public service programs that fall under two main umbrellas: their initiatives to help families prevent injuries and their extensive efforts to support our troops. The firm was recently honored by the Georgia House of Representatives for its 30 years of service with the passing of House Resolution 394 recognizing Montlick & Associates for "the outstanding accomplishments of this distinguished firm," and “for providing efficient, effective and dedicated services to the citizens of Georgia." The firm was also named the Most Patriotic Business of 2011 by the Association of the United States Army in Atlanta for its efforts to support the troops, and its CEO David R. Montlick received a Patriotism Award in 2012 for the Southeast. To learn more about Montlick & Associates and their award-winning public service programs, please visit Montlick.com.