Practice Area
Improperly secured cargo, equipment failure, and driver error can turn a tractor-trailer into an 80,000-pound hazard. We investigate how the crash happened and pursue every company responsible.
Free. Confidential. No obligation.
A tractor-trailer is two vehicles connected at a single pivot point. Unsecured or unbalanced cargo, brake or coupling failures, and driver mistakes can send the trailer out of line with the cab, causing a jackknife, rollover, or spilled load.
Federal rules set standards for how cargo must be secured and how equipment must be inspected and maintained. When those rules are broken, the carrier, the shipper, or a maintenance contractor may share responsibility.
Common Causes
01
Loose or shifting loads change how a trailer handles and can spill onto the road.
02
Too much weight strains brakes and tires and lengthens stopping distance.
03
Brake, tire, and coupling failures can cause sudden loss of control.
04
Unsafe lane changes, speeding, and fatigue remain leading causes of tractor-trailer crashes.
05
Tractor-trailers have large blind zones on every side of the rig.
06
Trailers swing wide and can strike vehicles or pedestrians on the inside of a turn.
Who Is Responsible
Liability in a truck accident case can extend well beyond the driver.
Next Steps
01
Call 911 and get checked even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like brain and spinal injuries, show symptoms hours or days later, and medical records connect your injuries to the crash.
02
If it is safe, photograph the vehicles, the scene, the truck’s DOT number, and your injuries. Collect names and phone numbers of witnesses.
03
The trucking company’s insurer may call quickly. Avoid recorded statements and do not sign anything until you have talked with a lawyer.
04
We move to preserve driver logs, electronic data, and dash-cam footage before it is lost, and we handle the insurers so you can focus on your health.
FAQ
Depending on the facts, the company that loaded and secured the cargo, the motor carrier, and the driver may all share responsibility. Loading records and inspection reports are important evidence.
Every state sets its own deadline. In Georgia and Ohio, for example, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, deadlines can change depending on your situation, so talk to an attorney soon to protect your rights.
Many states use comparative negligence rules. In Georgia, for example, you can recover if you are less than 50% at fault. In Ohio, you can recover if your share of fault is not greater than that of the parties you are suing. In both states, any recovery is reduced by your share of fault, which is why insurers often try to blame the victim.
We follow a clear, step-by-step process so you always know where your case stands. Your first conversation is free, and there’s no obligation.
Free. Confidential. No obligation.
Black Trucking Lawyers serves truck accident victims nationwide through office locations across the United States.
Every state sets a deadline to file a personal injury claim, and evidence like black box and ELD data can disappear much sooner. Tell us what happened and we will explain your options.
Free. Confidential. No obligation.
