Truckers carried over 150 million tons of cargo through Nevada in 2022 alone, the value of which was $164 billion. And as one might expect, many of these loads were hauled right through Las Vegas, seeing as the I-15 runs virtually parallel to Las Vegas Boulevard—the city’s iconic Strip.
However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Nevada saw 43 fatal truck crashes in that same year, with lost load truck accidents in Las Vegas accounting for some of these accidents.
Thankfully, the Las Vegas truck accident attorneys from De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers help injured victims pursue compensation from the trucking companies and shippers involved in these crashes. Contact us today at (702) 222-9999 for a free consultation.
How De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Lost Load Truck Accident in Las Vegas, NV
For decades, De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers has represented clients throughout Las Vegas, NV, against the people and businesses responsible for their injuries. Our family-run law firm has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for accident victims like you.
In the unfortunate event that the negligent actions of a trucking company end up injuring you, we will provide you with the following legal services:
- Learning about your situation and offering a personalized legal strategy
- Gathering medical records and other evidence to initiate your case
- Filing a claim with the truck company’s sureties and insurers
- Negotiating with sureties and liability insurers to resolve your case
- Taking the trucking company to court if it refuses to settle
Trucking companies often use their sizable resources to fight injury claims, so don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Las Vegas truck accident lawyer. We’re here to help you stand up to powerful corporations and their insurers for fair injury compensation.
How Lost Load Truck Accidents Happen
Semi trucks and trailers are certainly robust machines, but their loads must nevertheless be placed and secured carefully to avoid unduly straining the ties, anchors, and the vehicle itself. Moreover, drivers must maneuver carefully to reduce the risk that the load will shift or break loose.
The following scenarios can occur when cargo shifts or falls from a truck:
The Load Falls From the Trailer
A “lost load” may bring to mind the image of something falling on or in front of your car. In these accidents, injuries typically result from the impact between your vehicle and the load, which may be large enough to damage your vehicle. On the other hand, it might be small, like a load of gravel, which can cause you to lose control of your car as it slides and skids across it.
In some cases, you might avoid the load altogether but hit something else while swerving. For example, your vehicle could hit the truck, another car, or a fixed object, like a guardrail.
The Truck Driver Loses Control
The sudden shift of a load can throw a tractor-trailer off balance, and as the weight falls from the truck, the driver may overcorrect, causing the truck to jackknife.
Even if you avoid hitting the load, your vehicle might collide with the truck. Alternatively, you might swerve to miss the truck and hit something else. Thankfully, even in the latter case, your attorney will be able to trace the cause of the accident to the lost load.
The Truck Gets Damaged
A falling load can damage a semi truck or delivery van. The sudden weight shift may also rupture tires, damage the suspension, or break the hitch, causing the truck or trailer to roll over or weave. Broken anchors and tie-downs may fly from the truck or trailer, striking other vehicles and causing drivers further behind to stop suddenly or swerve as well.
Liability for Lost Loads
The liability for a truck accident usually falls on the trucking company involved, as employers are liable for the actions of their employees. Thus, a trucking company will be liable if a driver fails to check the load before hitting the road. Similarly, it would bear the liability if the trailer loses its load due to wild or erratic driving.
The company may also be liable for its own actions; for example, if it neglects to maintain or repair the trailer tie downs, it may be liable in the event that they snap and cause the load to fall or shift.
In certain situations, third parties might be liable for dropped loads. If the trucking company did not load the trailer, the shipper or third-party loader might be liable for improperly loading, balancing, or securing the cargo. Likewise, a truck (or truck part) manufacturer might be liable if the anchor points or tie downs were defectively manufactured or incorrectly labeled.
Contact Our Las Vegas Lost Load Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Lost loads can injure or kill when they fall or shift, resulting in physical and mental trauma and financial losses. Contact De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your accident and the legal options with an experienced Las Vegas lost load truck accident attorney.
