Unsecured Cargo

Representing Accident Victims Struck by Unsecured Truck Loads

A tractor-trailer—carrying 38-foot-long, 30-inch-diameter pipes—tipped over onto its side while negotiating a right turn, heading westbound. Four of the pipes rolled down onto the eastbound lanes below. The pipes struck our client's semi, splitting it open "like a tuna can," according to a witness. The pipes also hit two other cars. The collision resulted in two deaths and severe injuries to two other people.

"It was probably the most horrific scene anyone could imagine."
-witness of the accident

It is a frightening thought—loose freight or other hazardous loads tumbling down the highway. For some people, unfortunately, this frightening thought has become an even more frightening reality. Negligence in securing truck loads has resulted in catastrophic injuries and fatalities across the country.

At Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, P.C., we help clients piece their lives back together following a tragic trucking accident by guiding them through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. Contact Baum Hedlund to discuss your case with an experienced lawyer.

To avoid these devastating highway accidents, there are specific procedures and safety measures truckers are supposed to follow when loading and securing their truck load:

  • Loading cargo: In accordance with safety regulations, truckers must avoid stacking loads too high or with uneven or improper weight distribution. Failure to follow guidelines can result in an uneven load or load shifting, which can cause the truck to rollover, leading to accidents.
  • Securing cargo: Due to the devastation that can be caused by unsecured truck loads, there are stringent regulations in place regarding cargo securement. For example, there are specific charts and formulas that should be used to determine the thickness of chains that must be used to secure cargo.
  • Inspecting truck load: Semi trucks and other commercial trucks can spend days on the road with the same truck load. Sometimes over 80,000 pounds, it is foreseeable that these loads could shift, loosening the tie-downs. Therefore, truckers are responsible for inspecting the security of the load frequently: before leaving, 50 miles after leaving, every three hours or 150 miles, after every stop, after changes in shifts, etc.

Failure to follow important safety regulations can result in improperly restrained loads, oversized loads and loose loads. These loads can become ammunition against other vehicles on the road.

As experienced truck accident attorneys in California, we believe it is important that loading and securing procedures for commercial cargo be heavily regulated. We fiercely advocate for the interests of our clients in lawsuits arising from the negligent securement of cargo by truck drivers.

We fight to demonstrate negligence and recover full compensation on behalf of our clients: the accident victim or family of the victim affected by the crash. If you have suffered catastrophic injury or have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, we can help.

For immediate assistance, or to schedule an initial consultation or case evaluation with experienced California trucking accident lawyers, please contact Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, today.