Wilmington Unsafe Load Truck Accident Lawyers

 

Pella Windows Class Action Case

$25.7 Million

We have recovered a $25.7 million settlement on behalf of our client on a Pella windows class action case.

Chinese Drywall Settlement Case

$24 Million

We have recovered $24 million on the largest individual Chinese drywall settlement case.

Marriott Vacation Club Class Action

$13.3 Million

We have recovered a $13.3 million settlement for Deceptive Trade Practices at Marriott Vacation Club.

  • settlement case.
  • Marriott Vacation Club Class Action $13.3 MillionWe have recovered a $13.3 million settlement for Deceptive Trade Practices at Marriott Vacation Club.
  • Parasailing Accident $9 MillionWe have recovered a $9 million settlement for a wrongful death judgment in North Carolina State Court.
  • Bus Accident $3.1 MillionWe have recovered a $3.1 million settlement that occurred during a trial in a bus collision case.

Injuries Caused by Overloaded Tractor-Trailers

Commercial truck drivers are under pressure to meet strict deadlines. Often, these deadlines are imposed by their employers, who know full well that rules, regulations, and safety practices must be violated to meet these time restraints.

Regrettably, some drivers will pack their trucks hastily and in an unsafe manner, causing uneven loads and overloaded trailers that affect the handling of the vehicle. In some cases, loads have spilled onto roadways, causing dangerous obstructions. In others, the cargo weight has shifted and swung the tractor-trailer into the path of other vehicles. At Rhine Law Firm, P.C., our Wilmington truck accident lawyers believe that both the driver and the company are responsible for the often-tragic ramifications of this carelessness.

Who Regulates Loading of Commercial Vehicles?

  • Anchor point: A fixed attachment used to secure cargo.
  • Ties downs: Typically, high-strength straps with hooks that are attached to anchor points.
  • Dunnage bag: Inflatables used to fill empty space between cargo and the walls of the trailer.
  • Edge protector: Protectors on the edges of cargo to better distribute the force of accelerating or stopping.
  • Friction mat: Mats positioned between cargo to decrease movement.
  • Shoring bar: Bars put in place between the trailer walls to prevent cargo shifts.
  • Void filler: A strong material that occupies space and prevent shifts within the trailer.

General Rules for Cargo Securement

All cargo is to be secured on or in the vehicle by structures fully capable of immobilizing, supporting, and protecting it. This may be done through a combination of dunnage, dunnage bags, tie downs, shoring bars, etc. To prevent cargo from rolling, it needs to be restrained in a manner that prevents unintentional loosening, detachment, or unfastening. Cargo placed adjacently, secured by tie downs, should remain in direct contact and be prevented from potential shifts while the trailer is traveling.

Rules for Commercial Truck Drivers Involving Cargo

Drivers and the carriers they work for must adhere to the following requirements:

  • The weight of the cargo is safely distributed and secured and all equipment is operational.
  • The cargo does not obscure the driver’s vision or limit his movements.
  • The driver must stop to inspect the securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of travel.
  • The cargo must be reexamined at each of the following times:
    • Whenever the driver goes on or off duty.
    • Every three hours of driving time or every 150 miles traveled.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Inspection Reporting

Each driver is required to complete a written (or electronically documented) report following his shift for each vehicle he operates. The report requires the driver to inspect critical equipment including emergency brakes, lights, reflectors, tires, mirrors, and emergency equipment.

Any missing, inoperable, or defective equipment must be listed. The problem must be repaired before the vehicle may be returned to service. This documentation must be retained for a period of 90 days.

Our Promise to You

  • National Practice with a Local Presence

  • Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Won

  • Over 30 Years of Experience

  • Experienced, Thorough & Dedicated Attorneys

  • Spanish-Speaking Services Available

  • Evening & Weekend Appointments Available Upon Request

“Joel Rhine and his staff did everything possible to help us in a very dark period of our lives.”

“We were blessed to have them fighting for us and never giving up.”

“Rhine Law Firm has a friendly, caring, professional staff and they worked hard for me.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better firm to handle my injury claim. If you do not have confidence with your attorney, you need to contact Rhine Law Firm immediately.”

“Rhine Law Firm went out of their way to make sure that my mother-in-law obtains everything she is entitled to in an injury case.”

We Are Your Wilmington Truck Accident Law Firm

Rhine Law Firm, P.C., offers clients tractor-trailer attorneys with decades of proven skills. Attorney Joel Rhine is recognized as one of the area’s preeminent truck accident trial lawyers, with more than 30 years of in-depth knowledge and experience in cases involving violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act. Mr. Rhine and his staff will review the circumstances of your accident and explain your options for pursuing a claim against the trucking company and insurance carriers of any additional parties determined to be liable for damages.

Call us at (910) 772-9960 to schedule a free initial consultation. You are also welcome to submit an email requesting a return phone call to schedule a case evaluation with Mr. Rhine. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments also available. There are no attorneys’ fees or case preparation costs. You pay us only if you are awarded money in a settlement or jury award.

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