Hazards of Unsecured Cargo  

It is widely known that drunk driving and distracted driving are two of the most common causes of car accidents in this country. What may come as a surprise is the fact that unsecured cargo is responsible for approximately 60 percent of crashes.

According to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, between 2011 and 2014, over 200,000 accidents were caused by unsecured cargo. Over 500 of these accident victims were killed, and another 39,000 were injured as a result of raw materials, household goods, and car parts falling from a vehicle. Drivers who are transporting cargo have a responsibility to ensure that it is properly and safely secured.

Many of these accidents can be prevented by following the standard safety protocols. Mistakes occur if the person loading the cargo rushes through the process of securing the load. Oftentimes, this happens when unrealistic deadlines are imposed on the drivers who are delivering the cargo.

Unfortunately, a mistake in the loading process can have devastating consequences if a piece of sheet metal or particle board slams through the windshield of another car.

Examples of Unsecured Cargo Accidents

When loading cargo, it is imperative that it be balanced and secured, and that all ropes, chains, and straps are in good working order. If objects move around or fall from the vehicle, it can cause major problems for the motorists in the vicinity.

The following are examples of accidents that can occur when cargo is not secured properly:

• When cargo shifts and moves in a truck’s trailer, there is a greater likelihood that the truck will rollover. Once the cargo shift has created enough momentum, a sudden gust of wind is all that is necessary to cause the truck to tip over.
• Sudden turns can cause an unsecured load to hit against the interior of the truck, causing it to hinge against the cab. In some cases, this can spin the whole vehicle around.
• When cargo falls out of a truck, hitting the vehicle behind at top speeds, it can smash the windshield, or debris can scatter onto the road, causing serious traffic accidents that can involve multiple vehicles.
• Even if there are no other vehicles on the road, debris that falls from a truck can be extremely hazardous to approaching vehicles that are unaware of the hazard in the road.
• Unsecured cargo that falls from a vehicle can also cause accidents when other vehicles swerve suddenly, or slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the debris.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured by Unsecured Cargo

If you have been seriously injured in a car accident involving cargo that was not properly secured, it is in your best interest to contact the highly skilled Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. If the driver of the vehicle carrying the cargo did not properly secure the load, we will hold that person liable for any property damage and injuries that the accident may have caused. We will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.