Tractor Trailer Drivers Involved in Accidents Could Be Eligible for Workers’ Compensation

A recent tractor trailer rollover in Harrison County left I-79 in Bridgeport reduced to a single lane for hours. The accident occurred when the driver lost control of the truck and it rolled onto its side. The accident occurred near mile marker 121 and involved a truck hauling sand.

Two area fire departments – the Bridgeport Fire Department and the Clarksburg Fire Department, as well as Bridgeport EMS, Bridgeport Police Department, the DOH, and Clarksburg Police Department all responded to the scene of the accident. The Clarksburg Police Department will be in charge of the investigation.

The 37 year old driver, George Gay of Clarksburg, was driving the 2015 Freightliner. He was taken to the hospital but is expected to be okay.

Weight Shifts and Defects Can Cause Serious Tractor Trailer Accidents

Cargo in tractor trailers can weigh tens of thousands of pounds and if not properly secured, can shift and affect a truck’s center of gravity. This shift can be enough to cause a truck to overturn or become uncontrollable. Many jackknife and rollover accidents are caused by improperly loaded or secured cargo – something that occurs long before you get behind the wheel of your rig.
According to the laws governing Inspection of Cargo, Cargo Securement Devices and Systems, every trucking company, its officers, agents, and employees responsible for driving commercial motor vehicles, or hiring, training, or dispatching of drivers, shall comply with the rules. Unfortunately, being a safe driver is not enough and if someone else doesn’t do his or her job properly, you could be held accountable, or worse – injured or killed in an accident.

Tractor trailer drivers may have claims if their load shifts or a defect in tires or tractor causes them to lose control. We have represented truck drivers in cases and obtained more than just workers’ compensation benefits for them. Workers should always call a lawyer when hurt on job to get a free phone consultation to make sure that they are not missing out on any potential benefits. If you are a truck driver involved in a tractor trailer accident, contact Heavens Law at 888.897.5377 to discuss your case.