Unsecured Load Accidents In Kansas City

Large, fully loaded semi-tractor-trailer trucks, box trucks, and heavy-duty vehicles bring essential goods and services into Kansas City. As much as we rely on these commercial vehicles as important links in our supply chain, they also present substantial safety hazards to others on the road, outweighing average cars by as much as 76,000 pounds. According to the National Safety Council, 5,936 fatalities occurred in truck accidents in the U.S. in 2022 alone, including truck accidents in Kansas City. Unsecured or unbalanced loads are a significant cause of commercial truck accidents, our truck accident attorney in Kansas City is prepared to handle these cases.

How Do Unsecured Loads Cause Accidents?

When a truck and trailer haul goods, many factors come into play to put a safe vehicle and trailer on the road. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has stringent regulations in place for securing cargo with rules for tie-downs, blocking, bracing, anchor points, and load limits depending on the type of goods carried. Despite the regulations, sometimes cargo becomes loose and shifts during transport. This could result from improper loading or defective securing equipment. When a load abruptly shifts or rolls, it can cause an accident in any of the following ways:

• A load shifting suddenly toward the towing truck may cause the truck to roll forward while the driver is slowing or stopping at an intersection. This could push the truck forward into a lane of moving traffic or push the truck sideways, causing a jackknife accident on high-speed highways
• When cargo suddenly shifts or rolls to one side, the trailer may fishtail, causing an accident
• Improperly secured cargo may force a trailer door open, spilling contents onto the roadway, causing an accident
• Improperly secured logs may hit vehicles following the trailer
• Improperly secured vehicles on car carriers may roll into traffic, causing collisions
• Toxic chemical cargo may spill, causing accidents and toxic exposures

The sudden shifting of an unsecured load can make it difficult for a truck driver to control their vehicle, resulting in collisions, roadway departures, jackknife accidents, and rollovers.

Liability for Damages In Unsecured Load Accidents In Missouri

After a truck accident, it often takes a thorough investigation into all aspects of the accident to determine the cause of the accident, the negligent and/or liable party, and the appropriate insurance policy to cover damages to injury victims. In an unsecured load accident in Kansas City, the liable party could be any one of the following:

• The driver
• The trucking company
• A negligent freight loading company
• The manufacturer of defective securing devices
• A negligent truck maintenance company

Depending on the results of the investigation, one or more parties could contribute fault under Missouri’s pure comparative negligence accident laws.

What Damages Can I Recover After an Unsecured Load Accident In Kansas City?

Truck accidents caused by improperly secured loads are often devastating to involved motorists. An accident victim suffers long-term physical and financial consequences from serious injuries. These consequences are the “damages” in a truck accident claim. Common damages recovered in commercial truck accident claims in Missouri include:

• Property damage
• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future income loss
• Diminished future earning capacity
• Compensation for pain and suffering
• Compensation for other applicable non-economic damages like traumatic limb loss, disfigurement, loss of hearing or sight, PTSD, or loss of enjoyment of life

If a loved one dies in a truck accident caused by an unsecured load, a close family member can recover additional compensation in a wrongful death claim.

Call the Truck Accident Lawyers Who Can Help

If you suffered serious injuries in a truck accident in Kansas City, you need a legal team with experience in this specialized area. Call the Kansas City accident lawyers at Miller & Hine so we can investigate your accident and make a compelling claim for the maximum compensation available to you.