Truck accidents remain a big problem on Miami’s most dangerous highways. Even the less congested highways are seeing truck accidents, including lost load crashes.
This is a dangerous trend, considering these trucks share the road with small cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians.
Lost load accidents, in particular, can create instant hazards on busy roads. Also, depending on what falls off the truck, lost load accidents can put lives at risk.
What Is a Lost Load Accident?
A lost load accident happens when a truck’s cargo becomes unsecured and falls onto the road or highway.
There are many reasons why a truck would lose its load. For instance, it may be improperly loaded, or the truck’s equipment may not work as it should. Sometimes, the trucking company or driver’s negligence leads to an accident and subsequent load loss.
The biggest problem with a lost load accident is that it scatters objects across the road. Depending on the size of the objects, they can block lanes or, worse, strike cars and motorcycles.
In Miami, where trucks are common and highways are full of vehicles, this type of accident can quickly spiral out of control.
The Immediate Consequences of a Lost Load Accident
Large commercial trucks usually transport heavy cargo. For example, a truck may carry steel or wooden poles from the factory to a client. Poles that roll off the truck have the potential to flatten cars and road signs. It can also damage nearby guardrails and medians.
If you are the victim of a lost load accident, your car will likely have excessive damage. It is also possible that your car will be written off.
If the cargo only damaged your car, you should consider yourself lucky. In some cases, lost load accidents also cause catastrophic injuries. These include:
- Traumatic brain injuries. There is no predicting how cargo will fall from a truck.
Sometimes, falling cargo hits a car head-on. If this happens to you, your car may flip over because of the sudden impact. You may also be ejected from the car as it rolls.
Either way, this could leave you with a traumatic brain injury. If your injury is severe, you will have long-term cognitive and physical damage. - Spinal cord injuries. The force of a lost load accident could also cause damage to your spine, depending on the type of cargo and how much it weighs.
If your car is hit with steel cargo, there is a big risk of spinal injury if the hit is direct. Spinal injuries often result in partial or complete paralysis. - Fractures or broken bones. Whether you are in a car or walking along the road, falling cargo can result in you breaking or fracturing multiple bones. You may face a very long recovery period if these bones shatter instead of breaking cleanly.
Other consequences of a lost load accident include internal bleeding and organ damage. If falling cargo hits you indirectly, you may suffer minor injuries. Even so, injuries like sprains and strains can lead to chronic pain.
In the worst-case scenarios, lost load accidents can result in death. Given the size and weight of commercial trucks, it is easy to see how even a low-speed crash can be deadly.
Long-Term Consequences for Your Health and Finances
If you survive a lost load accident, you may find it difficult to move forward. You may experience ongoing pain and mobility issues. If you were severely injured, you may have to deal with a permanent disability.
If this happens, you will have long-term health challenges that affect your quality of life. You may also not be able to work anymore.
This, combined with physical pain, will have an impact on your mental health. People often underestimate the psychological impact of a severe injury caused by an accident.
You may experience anxiety, depression, or PTSD. These conditions can only be managed with the help of a mental health professional.
That said, the cost of treating your physical injuries and mental health will quickly add up. If you are also not working, your financial difficulties could escalate due to your condition.
Potential Legal Outcomes and Compensation
Lost load accidents often involve more than one party. This means determining fault may be difficult if you want to sue for compensation. Liability may fall on the driver or the trucking company. It could also fall on the cargo loaders or even the manufacturers of the loading equipment.
Considering your legal case’s complexity, you need a good lawyer. Your lawyer will explain how large of a settlement you should expect. They will also calculate your losses and damages to determine how much you can claim.
Generally speaking, your claim can include reimbursement for current and future medical treatments. It can also include compensation for loss of income and potential future earnings.
If you are struggling mentally and emotionally to move on after the accident, your claim should include compensation for pain and suffering. Additionally, you can claim for property damage to help you pay to fix or replace your car.
If it is discovered that the driver or truck company was grossly negligent, you may be able to include punitive damages in your claim. This is more of a punishment than a monetary award. Punitive damages could also prevent similar accidents from happening again.
What you eventually receive will depend on how severe your injuries are. It will also depend on whether liability can be established and how strong your evidence is.
Your Case May Go to Trial
Most personal injury cases are resolved without ending up in court. Still, if the at-fault party’s insurer refuses to pay, you may have to go to trial.
Your lawyer will represent you during the trial, and a judge or jury will decide how much your settlement will be.
Remember that you may still reach a settlement agreement during the trial. This would likely happen before a verdict is announced.
If the verdict is in your favor, there is no guarantee that the at-fault party’s lawyer won’t appeal. In this case, your settlement payment will be delayed further.
A Skilled Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
If you hire an experienced and skilled lawyer, you have better a chance of winning your case. Your lawyer will also help you understand all the possible outcomes. This will help you prepare better and make the right decisions for your future.
