Rollover truck accidents are often fatal, as it is likely that a rolled-over truck will crash into surrounding vehicles and cause a multi-vehicle pile-up. The injured parties who survive these serious accidents will often be faced with lifelong pain and suffering and extensive rehabilitative costs.
If you or someone you love has been harmed in a rollover truck accident in Chattanooga, an experienced attorney could help you bring a lawsuit against the negligent parties and recover the necessary compensation to offset the expenses of your injuries.
There are several factors that could cause a truck to roll over on the road and create an accident, including but not limited to the following.
The improper loading of trucks is a major cause of rollover truck accidents. Trucks should be loaded properly with heavy cargo distributed evenly among load-bearing points. The imbalanced distribution of cargo, including a heavy top load, can throw off the truck’s center of gravity and lead to a rollover truck accident.
Cargo also needs to be secured fully to avoid any danger of moving around and coming loose. Liquid cargo needs to be loaded carefully to avoid sloshing that might upset the truck’s balance. A shifting load can impact the driver’s ability to control the truck and cause the vehicle to roll.
Another major cause of rollover truck accidents in Chattanooga is driver error. Speeding in curves such as interstate exits and on-ramps is a significant problem that could lead to this kind of accident. When a truck driver fails to lower their speed upon entering an on-ramp or exit, a load can shift, causing the vehicle to roll over.
Additional examples of negligent driver behavior include texting while driving, driving while drowsy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and failing to account for the condition of the brakes.
Failing to properly maintain a commercial truck can also lead to a rollover accident, and worn brakes, low tire pressure, and other failures are especially dangerous. A design or manufacturing defect may also lead to equipment failure, even if the product is properly maintained.
The truck driver, their employer, a third-party loading company, and a parts manufacturer may all be held liable in a rollover truck accident. The driver could be liable if their negligence contributed to the accident that caused the plaintiff’s injuries. A driver is negligent if they owed the injured party a duty to drive with reasonable care but failed to do so, resulting in the person’s suffering.
The trucking company may also be liable for negligence if they knew or should have known of the driver’s inability to drive safely and responsibly or if they failed to train and supervise the driver properly. The employer company may be held vicariously liable if the rollover truck accident happened during the course of the driver’s employment.
A third-party loading company may be found negligent if their careless and improper loading of the truck led to the cargo shift that caused the vehicle to roll. A parts manufacturer may be held strictly liable for defectively designed nor manufactured brakes, tires, or other parts whose failure led to the rollover accident.
Because the state’s laws surrounding rollover truck crashes can be complicated to navigate, a Chattanooga lawyer could be valuable in helping injured parties evaluate their opportunities for financial compensation.
A rollover truck accident can result in catastrophic losses and permanently impact everyone involved. The drivers and passengers of the vehicles involved in the accident may face years of medical bills, lost wages, and psychological trauma.
If you have been involved in a rollover truck accident in Chattanooga, reach out to a skilled legal professional for advice. Call today to get started on your claim.