Load Securement: Shipping and Cargo Negligence in Tractor Trailer Accidents

There are many tractor trailer (semi-truck) accidents across the United States every year because cargo has fallen from the truck’s trailer and has injured a motorist. Our attorneys, investigators, accident reconstructionist, and trucking safety experts will assess the type and weight of the cargo to see if any special securement rules or other trucking laws were broken.

            There have been thousands of trucking injury accidents that involve falling cargo and often it is because the motor carrier, the driver, or the loaders have not secured the goods as the rules require causing the tractor trailer (semi truck) injury accident. Other times it is because of defective or damaged cradles, straps, shoring bars, or other tie down devices that are used for blocking or bracing or strapping down the cargo.

Part 393 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) deals with the transportation of cargo that is bundled, packaged, loose, etc. This includes loose lumber, packaged lumber, building products such as plywood and boards to large rocks.

There are certain rules that apply to huge metal coils that are placed individually or grouped together depending upon their weight. The total weight depends on whether it should be secured under the general cargo rules or the special rules for metal coils under section 399.120.

Whether a driver or carrier need to follow the special rules or general rules for other large items such as paper rolls, concrete piping or other large materials, again depends on the weight of the materials.

Section 393.230 deals with the transportation of heavy vehicle equipment and machinery. We have all seen huge bull dozers, front end loaders, cranes and tractors being transported on flat bed trailers. There are special rules for this equipment that weights more than 10,000 lbs. Otherwise, the lighter equipment may be secured under the rules that apply to automobiles, light trucks and vans, or the general freight requirements.  

There are special rules for the transportation of automobiles, light trucks and vans under 10,000 lbs., the transportation of flatten or crushed vehicles, large boulders in excess of 11,000 pounds as well as some other specialty cargo.

Certain containers that are being transported have special rules. A hook-lift container has a special definition under the law and is usually used to transport and hold waste, recycling, construction/demolition and scrap materials where the container is transported on a roll on/roll off or hook-lift device.

Our attorneys, investigators, accident reconstructionist, and trucking safety experts will assess the type and weight of the cargo to see if any special securement rules needed to be followed. These violations often are the platform of our negligence case against the truck driver and motor carrier.

There have been thousands of trucking injury accidents that involve falling cargo and often it is because the motor carrier, the driver, or the loaders have not secured the goods as the rules require. Other times it is because of defective or damaged cradles, shoring bars, that are used for blocking or bracing or strapping down the cargo.

Call attorney Jason Waechter of www.TruckAccidentLawyers-USA.com. Our associating attorneys in each state specialize in handling injury accidents involving tractor trailers (semi trucks). Call now for free advice.  Often, time is of the essence and quick thorough investigation makes the difference in these specialized cases. Call and speak to Attorney Jason Waechter personally at: 1-800-708-5433.