Dallas Spillage of Contents Lawyer
A commercial truck accident in Dallas is dangerous enough. It can be much worse if the truck’s cargo spills. After this type of accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Learn more from a Dallas spillage of contents lawyer.
Pursuing compensation after a truck cargo spill accident is not straightforward. Multiple parties may be responsible, and the accident damages are often very severe. Our Dallas car and truck accident lawyers are here to help — at no risk to you.
We do not collect a fee unless we win your case, and your success is our number one priority. Give us a call today for a FREE consultation where we can discuss the details of your case and answer any questions you have. Call (469) 998-4069 or contact us online through one of our contact forms.
Common Risk Factors for Truck Content Spills
Any auto accident can be harmful, but truck accidents tend to be especially terrible because they typically carry dangerous cargo. Plus, trucks are large vehicles that can cause a lot of damage in a collision.
Here are some main reasons for the severity of truck accidents involving spilled contents.
Hazardous Cargo
Truck drivers haul all sorts of products and materials from one place to another. Some contents are dangerous, especially if they fall or spill out of the truck onto the roadway. Examples of hazardous truck contents include:
- Weapons
- Gasoline
- Construction materials
- Radioactive chemicals
- Medical supplies
- Industrial chemicals
- Lumber
You might have no idea what’s inside when you see a truck on the road, and you shouldn’t have to find out. If a spillage of contents occurs, you should not have to pay the price. Contact an experienced lawyer to help you seek compensation for your damages.
Improperly-Loaded Cargo
Cargo spills often happen because someone was negligent when loading or securing cargo onto the truck. Many regulations exist to ensure truck contents are stable before and during each trip. If a shipment is not loaded correctly, the contents can spill out onto the road and injure or even kill other drivers.
The following can cause truck content spills:
- Improperly-secured cargo that leads the contents to shift suddenly
- Overloaded cargo that makes the truck too heavy to drive safely
- Underloaded cargo that causes products like liquids to slosh around and spill out of their containers
Flatbed Trucks
Flatbed trucks are less secure than other types of commercial vehicles, so they are more prone to content spills. A flatbed truck’s contents can fall into the roadway if they are heavy or secured improperly.
Truck Driver Error
Truck drivers must maintain an active role in the management of their cargo. They should follow all regulations from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) on loading, inspecting, checking, and transporting cargo as a motor carrier. If a truck driver does not maintain their duties, they can cause an accident due to cargo spills.
Poor Inspection or Maintenance
Truckers and trucking companies should ensure their commercial vehicles undergo regular inspection and maintenance. If this does not happen, vehicle issues or poorly-secured cargo can cause accidents.
Trucking Company Negligence
Trucking companies have a legal duty to hire and train drivers who can do the job well. If a truck driver causes a content spill that harms others, the trucking company that employs the driver might be legally responsible.
Road Hazards
Sometimes, poor road conditions or hazards cause spilled contents. If a road condition is severe enough, it can cause a truck rollover accident or some other collision that causes cargo spills.
How to File a Claim After Spillage of Truck Contents
Before you can bring a personal injury claim, you must know who caused the accident. The at-fault party might be just one person, such as the truck driver, or multiple parties might be partly to blame.
A Dallas spillage of contents lawyer can help you determine who caused your injuries. Then, they can help you:
- Gather evidence of the accident
- Prove how the at-fault party caused the accident
- Determine your total damages, including medical costs, lost wages, property damages, and pain and suffering
- Communicate with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Fight for the settlement you deserve
Most accident claims are settled during this stage. However, the insurance company will probably try to offer you a lowball settlement amount. If you have a lawyer on your side, they can work to negotiate a better settlement offer. If negotiation is successful, you’ll receive compensation for your costs.
Although rare, negotiation is sometimes unsuccessful. If you and the insurance company cannot reach an agreement, you and your lawyer can discuss filing a lawsuit. Your lawyer can help you prepare for court and continue fighting for your rights.
What to Do After a Dallas Content Spill Accident
If a truck’s cargo spill causes an accident that leaves you injured, you can take action to protect yourself.
Call 911
Content spill accidents are often severe. If your injuries are severe or life-threatening, call 911 for an ambulance. Someone should also call the Dallas police to report the accident.
If you don’t receive medical treatment at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible afterward. Seeing a doctor will create evidence of your medical expenses, which is vital for your case.
Document the Scene
If you are well enough to do so, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and the damage to your vehicle. Talk to anyone else who was involved in the accident or saw it happen. Ask for those witnesses’ names and contact information.
Talk to a Lawyer Right Away
Truck accidents are usually very serious. Although you have the choice to hire legal help or not, it’s smart to at least schedule a consultation with a trusted lawyer in your area. By speaking with a lawyer, you can learn how your case looks from a legal standpoint.
A lawyer can also let you know what type of settlement you should pursue. Many personal injury firms (like our Dallas car accident lawyers) give you a FREE consultation and do not charge a fee unless they win you money, so there is no risk in calling them for advice.
Get a Free, No-Risk Consultation with a Dallas Spillage of Contents Lawyer Today
To learn more about your compensation options after a truck cargo spill, call our Dallas car and truck accident law firm today. We’ll listen to your concerns and discuss your best options. Call us at (469) 998-4069 or reach out online to get your FREE consultation.