In fact, major trucking accidents are becoming an epidemic which is increasingly affecting other motorists, passengers and the truck drivers, themselves. Fatalities are unusually high with 1 out of every 9 fatal traffic accidents involving at least one truck for a total of about 5,000 deadly truck-related accidents annually. Some of these accidents are among the most dangerous types of truck accident scenarios involving jack-knife, under-ride and unsecured equipment incidents.

An unsecured equipment accident can occur when all or any part of a truck’s load becomes detached and enters the roadway. These items can include goods, parts, materials or any other items that falls off of a truck due to a problem with the equipment used to secure the load or improper securing of that load. Even at slower speeds, an article that becomes detached from a truck can have deadly results. From a beam of lumber that can instantly kill a motorist to a piece of cloth than can temporarily obstruct a motorist’s view – can both have the same devastating effects. The causes of these accidents can come from several issues:

• Improperly maintained trucks, which can lead to parts breaking or falling off
• Loads that are  improperly secured, which can become loose when subject to the jarring effects of a less than smooth highway surface
• Various types of debris that can fall out of a truck
• Loads that are not properly balanced, on the bed of the truck, or loads that can shift due to improper security
• Unsafe, uninspected vehicles in which parts are not properly secured
• Loads that are not properly covered or covering made from defective materials

Any of these conditions can lead to a situation where a potentially deadly item may act as a missile in relation to vehicles travelling behind the truck at fault.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

You can find further detailed information on unsecured load accidents,  by contacting Dallas trucking injury lawyers Todd Elias and Steven J. Gordon – located in Houston, Texas.

Ages 0-3
Although laws vary from state to state, children from the ages of 0 to 3 should have the proper child restraints no matter if they’re riding in the front or back seats of any type of motor vehicle. It’s important that children under the age of three are restricted from riding in any vehicle that does not have seat belts installed. The only exception to this, are taxi cabs, buses and emergency vehicles, which don’t have restraints available.

Agest 3-12
From the ages of 3 through 12, the proper automobile restraint is can also be mandatory (depending on the region and the child’s age). In some jurisdictions, a child may travel in the rear seat of a car without a restraint but is required to be secured with a restraint when traveling in the front seat.

Choosing a Restraint
When choosing the proper restraint, it’s important that you check to make sure that the seat is properly certified. This will be indicated on the seat, itself, and a store representative should be able to assist you in making this determination. Even though most car seat models are designed to fit most cars, it’s always a good idea to try the seat in your own car, before purchasing – or at least make sure that there is a return policy, should the seat not fit your particular car. Always check for any visible defects, as these can prove to be devastating in the event of an auto accident.

Although a good car seat may be a bit costly, it’s certainly worth the expense to protect your child’s safety. It should also be noted, that while second hand car seats can be obtained, you should make sure the seat is not worn and that it adheres to the standards that are currently acceptable nation-wide.

If your child is going to stay with a friend or relative, you should also make sure that your child either has their own safety seat with them – or that the friend or relative has a proper child seat installed in their vehicle.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

If you’d like more information regarding child restraint defects, please contact Attorney Kristopher Barber, practicing in Dallas, Texas.

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