Incorrectly Secured Cargo Accident Attorney

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the United States saw 529 large truck traffic fatalities and 20,000 injuries in 2010. These scary statistics marked a 6 percent increase from the previous year in the number of auto collision fatalities across the country. Overall, there was an 8.7 percent increase in the U.S. for the number of people killed in accidents that involve a large truck.

Unfortunately, the number of truck accident fatalities in the nation has increased in every single category. The largest percentage increase was found in large truck crashes involving multivehicle collisions. Due to the sheer size, structure, and weight of semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and all kind of large commercial trucks, accidents tend to be much more severe in regard to both injuries in those involved as well as property damage.

One of the leading causes of Truck accidents is incorrectly secured cargo. When a truck driver does not properly secure the thousands of pounds of cargo that they are transporting, a significant number of potential accidents can take place. While there are a number of federal regulations in regard to commercial trucks, incorrectly secured cargo continues to be a growing concern for all motorists in the United States. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury due to incorrectly secured cargo, Gordon & Partners believes that the trucker responsible for the accident must pay.

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Causes of Incorrectly Secured Cargo

Particular rules and regulations are outlined for all truck drivers operating commercial vehicles in the United States. These rules involve the stacking, loading, balancing, and tying down of freight within the truck load. Unfortunately, however, many truckers and the companies in which they work for fail to correctly secure their cargo. Truckers are often in a hurry to meet deadlines specified by their employers, causing them to operate their truck on the roads with incorrectly secured cargo.

Some of the most common causes of incorrectly secured cargo collisions include but are not limited to:

• Improper tie-downs

• Equipment is not loaded properly and thus falls from the truck

• Trucker neglects to check security of cargo at appropriate intervals

• Poor balance of cargo

• Unstable stacking of cargo

When a trucker loads cargo so improperly that the cargo actually falls out of the truck, a number of serious damage is caused. Some of the most common truck load items that fall from the truck bed include but are not limited to:

• Metal coils

• Paper rolls

• Lumbar

• Concrete pipes

• Large boulders

• Intermodal containers

All of the above items can cause serious property damage, but more importantly, they have the potential to cause severe injury to the occupants involved in the crash. All Florida motorists must be aware of the serious hazards involved when following behind a truck. If possible, keep a substantial distance while traveling behind and change lanes as soon as a safe lane switch is possible.

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Commercial Truck Cargo Regulations

In the United States, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a couple of laws regarding the proper cargo loading for commercial trucks. The General Cargo Securement Requirements outline the specific details of what is required of all truckers and truck companies in the country. Based on section 2.1.2 of these regulations, “the securement system chosen must be appropriate for the cargo’s size, shape, strength and characteristics.” In other words, the commercial truck must be able to handle the capacity and strength of the carry cargo in order to safely navigate the roads.

Beyond making sure that there is no incorrectly secured cargo present, truckers must also ensure that their vehicle is in “satisfactory” condition, as outlined by the FMCSA requirements. If you or a loved one has been hit by a truck driver who has failed to adhere to all of FMSCA’s regulations, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Our truck accident lawyers are dedicated to helping you to receive the maximum compensation possible.

Contact a Florida Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Unfortunately, Gordon & Partners has seen a large number of accident victims involved in commercial truck collisions. We understand that the impact of these crashes can be incredibly damaging physically, mentally, and emotionally. With this knowledge, our large truck accident lawyers take on the responsibility of handling every aspect of the litigation process, leaving you to focus on recovering from your injuries.

Our firm stands strong in our role as a source of justice for Florida residents. We take this role seriously in our pursuit to protect the rights of Florida drivers across the entire state. With years of experience, expert resources, and a focus on personal attention, our clients are always our first priority.

For a Free Case Evaluation, please complete the form on the top of this page.