Unsecured Truck Load Accidents in Boston
Holding trucking companies accountable when loose cargo causes chaos on Massachusetts roads
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Truck crashes often lead to severe injuries. There are many causes of collisions involving large trucks, including unsecured truck loads, which lead to instability and an increased risk of drivers losing control of their vehicles. Cargo that isn’t properly secured can also fall from a vehicle, creating obstructions that can lead to high-speed crashes. At Santoro & Gray, our attorneys stand up for those injured by unsecured truck loads and other truck-related crashes.
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How Santoro & Gray can help you
- Why unsecured loads are so dangerous
- Common causes of unsecured load accidents in Boston
- What kinds of cargo pose the greatest risks?
- FMCSA cargo securement regulations
- Who may be liable for an unsecured load crash?
- What injuries result from falling or shifting cargo?
- How vicarious liability can help injury victims
- What to do after an unsecured load truck accident
- Why choose Santoro & Gray
- Do you have an unsecured load accident attorney near me?
Even a small item falling off a truck at highway speeds can cause devastating harm. Some of the possible causes of these crashes include cargo:
- Flying off into traffic
- Shifting inside the trailer, causing a rollover
- Obstructing a driver’s visibility
Massachusetts roads, especially in Greater Boston, see frequent construction and commercial deliveries—which increase the risk of crashes.
There are several reasons that a truck’s load might be inadequately secured. Some possible causes include:
- Poor or rushed loading by drivers or warehouse staff
- Failure to use proper tie-downs, straps, or containment equipment
- Broken or worn securement gear (for instance, frayed ropes or faulty chains)
- Failing to recheck cargo for shifts on long drives
- Overloading trucks or trailers
- Inexperienced loaders or drivers who don’t know securement best practices
When a negligent truck driver or company cuts corners, the results can be devastating to those who share the road with these large vehicles. Those injured need an attorney who is ready to stand up for them and fight back.
Some types of cargo are more likely to lead to crashes and resulting injuries. A few categories that are often associated with collisions include:
- Construction equipment: Transporting of equipment like bobcats, backhoes, and excavators can be hazardous
- Building materials: Lumber, bricks, pipes, fencing, scaffolding all create serious risks if not well secured
- Industrial equipment: Generators, fuel tanks, and steel beams are dangerous if not properly loaded
- Landscaping tools: Moving lawn mowers, chainsaws, and rakes creates risks
- Consumer goods: Furniture, appliances, and boxes stacked without support may lead to crashes
- Garbage and waste: Debris from sanitation trucks or demolition sites can cause roadway hazards
- Tires and auto parts: If these fall onto the road, they can quickly result in injuries and collisions
Any type of cargo that shifts within a truck can also cause imbalances that lead to severe wrecks.
There are cargo loading and securing requirements that trucking companies must follow. For instance, all cargo is to be firmly immobilized to prevent shifting or falling. Truck operators need to ensure that they use proper tie-downs for the type and weight of cargo they’re transporting. After starting, they need to regularly inspect and adjust cargo so that it remains secure. There are also specialized rules for logs, machinery, concrete, automobiles, and other types of loads.
There are many parties that might be liable for injuries resulting from a truck crash. This can make these cases more complex. Some possible entities and individuals who may be at fault include:
- Truck drivers: Drivers may be at-fault for failing to inspect or secure their cargo properly
- Trucking companies: The company might be liable if it improperly trained employees, offered poor oversight, or demanded unsafe schedules
- Third-party cargo loaders: If a warehouse or shipping company loaded the truck and did so in a way that was unsafe, they might be liable
- Fleet maintenance companies: If the securement equipment was in poor condition, the fleet maintenance company could be at fault
- Product manufacturers: If securement devices failed due to defects, there could be a product liability claim against the manufacturer
Liability is often shared among multiple parties as well, which can add another layer of complexity to an unsecured truck load case. Your attorney can work to determine all possible liable parties. While your PIP no-fault insurance may cover some injury-related costs, in a serious crash, you will likely exceed the minimum requirement to file a personal injury claim in Massachusetts.
Serious injuries can result from any truck crash. Some of the injuries we may see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crushed limbs or amputations from rollovers or impacts
- Internal injuries from forces in sudden collisions
Wrongful death claims may also result, especially in high-speed or highway collisions. It’s important to speak to a lawyer in any of these serious personal injury cases. Insurers are likely to push back and try to limit their exposure, especially when the injuries are catastrophic and result in significant damages.
When commercial trucks are involved in a crash, it might be possible to hold a company liable rather than an individual driver. If a driver who is an employee or another employee does something negligent, the company can be held responsible through vicarious liability. For the company to be at fault, the employee must have been actively working at the time. These laws give victims access to commercial insurance policies and corporate defendants, which can be the key to recovering damages that offer meaningful compensation for severe injuries.
In some circumstances, even if the company didn’t directly secure the load, they may be liable for failing to train or supervise. Our lawyers also look for patterns in prior violations or FMCSA fines that may help us strengthen your case.
There are several steps to take following an unsecured truck load crash in Boston. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Try to photograph the cargo, vehicle markings, and debris
- Get contact info from witnesses
- Save dashcam footage if available
Remember that the actions you take immediately after a collision are critical for your health and safety, but they also may impact your ability to build a successful legal claim. You need to contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to preserve evidence from the crash and to seek advice on the best actions to take to protect yourself.
At Santoro & Gray, we go after every negligent party in the chain of cargo control. It’s our goal to find every possible party responsible for our clients’ injuries. We want to secure the compensation you need as you and your family recover. Our attorneys are experienced litigators, and we don’t back down, even when facing large, powerful corporations. We’ve helped Massachusetts truck crash victims recover significant compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and permanent disabilities. We prepare every case for trial—which means that we’re in a better position to negotiate settlements.
Yes. Santoro & Gray proudly represents truck accident victims across the Boston area from our office at 131 Dartmouth Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 35, Boston, MA 02116.
If you’ve suffered injuries because of a crash caused by unsecured cargo, we can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact Santoro & Gray now for a free case evaluation
At Santoro & Gray, we offer free case evaluations. Our Boston unsecured truck load accident attorneys are here when you need us by calling our office or filling out our contact form. We’re prepared to stand up for you.