18-wheeler trucks and other commercial vehicles are massive, and they often carry tens of thousands of pounds of cargo. When cargo is not loaded or secured correctly on a truck, this may affect a truck driver’s ability to maintain control while driving. Cargo that shifts during transit or falls from a truck may cause dangerous truck accidents that result in serious injuries for people in other vehicles. In these cases, victims will need to determine who was responsible for improperly loaded cargo and who may be held liable for their injuries and damages.

By working with an attorney who understands the legal issues involved in commercial truck accident cases, victims can make sure their rights will be protected as they pursue compensation for their injuries.

The Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec offers experienced legal help and representation for truck wreck victims and their families, and we work to address any issues that may affect liability in commercial truck accidents. Our founder has more than 25 years of experience representing personal injury victims. Our firm can help your family take legal action against a person or company that caused you harm, and we will fight to make sure you will be fairly and fully compensated.

Cargo-Related Truck Wrecks

Items loaded onto a truck should be distributed evenly to ensure that a truck will be properly balanced, and they should be tied down or secured to ensure that they do not shift during travel. There are strict weight limits that apply to commercial trucks, and if a truck is overloaded, this will affect a driver’s ability to slow down and stop. An overloaded truck may also become top-heavy, and this may result in rollover accidents when a truck is negotiating curves, turning at intersections, or changing lanes.

If a truck’s cargo is not secured properly, items may move inside the truck’s cargo area. This can affect the truck’s weight distribution and balance, making it more difficult for the driver to maintain proper control. An unbalanced truck may move unexpectedly, especially when a truck is traveling at high speeds, and this may lead to a jackknifed truck, a rollover crash, or a collision with other vehicles. Unsecured cargo may also fall from a truck. Large and heavy cargo can cause a great deal of damage if it lands on another vehicle after falling from a truck, and drivers or passengers may suffer injuries such as broken or crushed bones, brain trauma, or spinal cord injuries. Cargo that falls into the road can create dangerous obstacles, and multi-vehicle pileups may occur if drivers collide with items or swerve to avoid them.

Multiple parties may be at fault for truck accidents involving shifting or dropped cargo. A company that loaded cargo onto a truck may be liable for failing to follow the proper procedures to ensure that cargo was distributed and secured correctly. If straps, chains, or other devices used to secure cargo break or fail to function correctly, a manufacturer may be held liable for these defective products. A truck driver or their employer may also be liable for a driver’s failure to inspect their cargo regularly during a trip and ensure that all items were secured correctly.

Dropped Cargo FAQs

Answer: Unlike standard collisions, dropped cargo accidents often involve shifting or falling loads that create hazards for multiple vehicles at once. These cases typically require investigating not just the truck driver, but also the loading company, equipment manufacturers, and other parties.

Answer: Liability may fall on several parties, including the trucking company, the driver, the cargo loading crew, or even a manufacturer of defective tie-downs or straps. Determining fault often requires a detailed investigation.

Answer: Victims may suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, crushed limbs, internal injuries, or fatalities. Even smaller objects falling onto the roadway can cause serious multi-vehicle pileups.

Answer: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for cargo securement, weight distribution, and load limits. If a trucking company or driver violates these regulations, it can serve as strong evidence of negligence.

Answer: Call 911, seek immediate medical attention, take photos of the accident scene if possible, gather witness information, and avoid speaking with insurance adjusters before contacting an experienced truck accident attorney.

Answer: Yes. When cargo falls into the roadway, it can cause chain-reaction crashes or pileups involving several vehicles. These complex cases often require accident reconstruction experts to sort out liability.

Answer: Generally, victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Acting quickly ensures critical evidence, such as inspection logs and black box data, is preserved.

Contact Our Houston Falling Truck Cargo Injury Lawyers

When injuries occur because of cargo that was not loaded properly on a commercial truck, our attorneys can perform an investigation to determine who was at fault. We can provide representation for victims of these types of accidents, ensuring that they will be able to recover financial compensation from the liable parties. 

Contact our office at 281-643-2000 to set up your complimentary consultation. We assist with cargo-related truck accidents and other injury cases in Memorial, Waller County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County, Chambers County, West Houston, Liberty County, Galveston County, Pearland, Bellaire, Harris County, the Gulf Coast, Brazoria County, The Woodlands, Houston, Katy, and Sugar Land.