Florida Trucking Accidents Caused by Unsecured Cargo
March 7, 2016
Florida Trucking Accident Attorney
The Danger of Unsecured Cargo
Unsecured or poorly secured cargo in large commercial trucks poses a serious threat to others who share the roadways. Fully-loaded semi-trucks are hauling thousands of pounds of cargo, and can lead to serious or fatal accidents when the load has not been properly secured. Jodat Law Group has vast knowledge and experience as a leading Florida Trucking Accident Attorney.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reports that unsecured loads and road debris caused 51,000 incidents involving 10,000 injuries and 440 fatalities in a single recent year. This is not hard to believe when you consider that an object weighing 20 lbs. that falls from a vehicle travelling at 55 mph can strike another vehicle with half a ton of force.
Florida Traffic Crashes Caused by Poorly Secured Loads
When cargo is improperly secured, the load will shift during a turn, causing the weight of a big rig to become imbalanced. These load shifts can cause jackknifing, rollovers, and truck accidents that can seriously injure passenger vehicle occupants near the truck.
Trucks carrying hazardous cargoes can be particularly dangerous. Hazardous materials that spill off a truck onto the highway can result in fires, explosions, or exposure to toxins that can kill or seriously injure others.
Federal Cargo Securement Regulations
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the agency charged with regulating commercial trucking. FMCSA has issued regulations concerning every aspect of cargo securement in large commercial trucks, including the devices and systems used to secure the loads, and their proper use.
Under Section 392.9 of FMCSA regulations, a driver may not operate a commercial motor vehicle, and the trucking company may not permit it, unless the cargo is properly distributed and secured. Drivers are required to inspect the load within the first 50 miles of any trip, making any necessary adjustments to secure it, and to repeat that process during the course of the trip.
Commodity-specific regulations are enforced by FMCSA for various types of loads, including:
- Logs
- Dressed lumber and building products
- Metal coils
- Paper rolls
- Intermodal containers (designed to be used interchangeably in different modes of transportation)
- Automobiles
- Heavy equipment, machinery, and vehicles
- Crushed or flattened vehicles
- Roll-on/roll-off or hook lift containers (used for waste, recycling, construction, demolition, or scrap materials)
- Large boulders
Hazardous materials/dangerous goods have their own set of FMCSA rules and regulations (HazMat). The purpose of these regulations is to improve cargo tank safety, prevent cargo tank rollovers, and reduce the number of Florida trucking accidents involving hazardous materials with the potential to harm the public and the environment.
Florida Trucking Accident Attorney
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a Bradenton, Sarasota, Tampa or Venice trucking accident caused by an unsecured or improperly secured load, Jodat Law Group can help, as a leading Florida trucking accident attorney located in Bradenton & Sarasota. Florida trucking accident cases are complex and will require top level legal representation. Our experienced truck accident attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and resources to provide the dedicated advocacy you need in such a case.
We can investigate your trucking accident, determine the causes and the responsible parties, and negotiate or aggressively litigate for the maximum compensation possible. Contact for Florida truck accident attorney for a free case consultation.
