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The causes of a truck accident can vary, and often lost loads, cargo spills and wheels coming off trucks are at play. We’re here to help determine the cause and get you the settlement you need to move forward.
Salt Lake City’s team
Fighting for your case, so you can focus on your recovery.
Truck accidents often lead to greater injury and greater financial consequence than other types of vehicle accidents. We handle these issues with expert care and competence so you can tackle your health and recovery.
Answers for you
Lost Load, Cargo Spill & Wheel-Off Accidents FAQs
While every case is different, these frequently asked questions may help shed some light on important aspects of your situation.
Reach out to our team today to discuss the specifics of your case.
#1
What is a ‘lost load accident’?
Cargo that has been improperly secured and/or attached to a truck, truck bed, trailer, etc. and comes loose and falls off the vehicle causing an accident is called a lost load accident or improperly loaded cargo accident.
By and large, these accidents are preventable. Due to their preventable nature and the often serious injury and consequence they cause, there is a critical need to determine cause, fault and liability.
Working with an experienced law firm that’s capable of handling lost load accident claims is crucial to obtaining a fair settlement for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
I’ve been in a lost load accident
#2
What is a ‘cargo spill’ accident?
Cargo spill accidents include events in which liquids spill from a truck and/or trailer and cause an accident. They also include accidents that are caused by loose materials or goods that become detached from trucks and trailers.
Improper tie downs, malfunctioning gates, doors, locks, clasps, and other load-securing hardware, and driver error(s) are often at fault for these accidents. Because of the size of the vehicle and loads of these trucks and trailers, it’s not uncommon for cargo spills to cause large accidents, rollovers, multi-car collisions, significant property damage, and significant injury.
I’ve been in a cargo spill accident
#3
What is a ‘wheel-off’ accident?
Just as they sound, a wheel-off accident occurs when a wheel detaches from a truck or trailer and causes an accident. While there may be many factors in why a wheel becomes detached, the consequences of these events to those involved can be quite severe. Swerving to avoid a bouncing wheel, hitting a stationary object in the middle of the road, or being hit with a moving wheel at high speed can lead to catastrophic injury.
If you’ve been in a wheel-off truck accident of any kind, we’re here to help you navigate the process of getting the settlement you need to take care of your injuries and get back to normal life.
I’ve been in a wheel-off accident
#4
If the truck driver is at fault, am I suing that driver personally?
NO, you are not suing the truck driver personally. Many individuals and families hold off or never file suits or claims for lost load, cargo spill and wheel-off accidents because they don’t want to go after the truck driver or other individual that may be at fault, worrying that they are causing financial hardship to that person. This often leads to injured parties not receiving a fair or adequate settlement (or any settlement at all), resulting in their own financial hardship.
It’s important to understand two critical things in evaluating whether or not to move forward with a lost load, cargo spill or wheel-off accident claim:
- Trucking companies are required by law to insure their vehicles, their loads, and their drivers. These requirements are in place because accidents happen – even when drivers are careful and vehicles are properly maintained.
- These insurance policies are designed to take care of injured parties and protect the trucking company’s owners and the truck driver involved from being personally responsible for damages. When filing a lawsuit for a lost load, cargo spill or wheel-off accident, you are in suit with the trucking company’s insurance carrier – not the driver.
You can think of this much like you would a life insurance policy. If you or your spouse passed away after paying life insurance policy premiums, it’s reasonable to assume you would collect the death benefit of that policy. That’s what it’s designed for, and you, as the policy owner, have been paying premiums to ensure those funds are paid out at your or your spouse’s death.
Trucking company accident, negligence, spill and other policies are designed the same way – to cover them and to provide payouts to you, the injured party, in the event of an accident. In most cases, you are simply collecting money from a policy that was designed to issue payouts for the qualifying accident you suffered from.
#5
What damages can I recover from a lost load, cargo spill or wheel-off accident?
Settlements for these types of accidents can include funds for:
- Medical expenses, both past and future, including surgery, scans, rehabilitation, physical therapy, hospital stays, hospital transportation, medication, prosthetics, copays, and more
- Lost wages for time you’re unable to work, and for a diminished ability to return to work and earn the same or equivalent income due to the injuries sustained
- Property damage including the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property that was damaged in the accident
- Pain and suffering from mental and emotional trauma and distress
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Get the Help & Representation You Need
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process of fighting for your claim in a lost load, cargo spill or wheel-off accident, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can remove the burden from your shoulders and get you the settlement you deserve.