Unsecured Cargo Trucking Accidents

Unsecured cargo trucking accidents occur when improperly loaded or poorly secured freight shifts, spills, or detaches from a commercial truck. These accidents often lead to severe injuries because cargo can strike vehicles, block roadways, or cause trucks to lose control.

What Causes Unsecured Cargo Accidents

Common causes of unsecured cargo trucking accidents include:

• Failure to use proper tie-downs, straps, or chains
• Overloading trailers beyond weight limits
• Uneven distribution of cargo that affects the truck’s stability
• Failure to inspect cargo at required intervals
• Use of worn or damaged securement equipment
• Transporting loose materials without proper coverings
• Rushed loading procedures that skip safety checks

Any of these issues can lead to shifting loads that destabilize the truck or spill onto the roadway.

How Unsecured Cargo Leads to Serious Accidents

Shifting or falling loads can create sudden, unavoidable hazards. These accidents often involve:

• Trucks overturning after the load shifts during a turn or lane change
• Cargo falling off the truck and striking another vehicle
• Road obstructions that cause multi-vehicle pileups
• Drivers losing control because of sudden weight movement
• Flying debris injuring motorcyclists or occupants of smaller vehicles

Because commercial trucks carry heavy or hazardous materials, unsecured cargo accidents often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.

Parties Who May Be Liable

Several parties may share responsibility for unsecured cargo accidents. For example:

• Truck drivers who fail to inspect or secure loads
• Trucking companies that violate safety regulations or push unsafe schedules
• Cargo loaders or warehouse staff who improperly load the truck
• Contractors responsible for freight handling
• Manufacturers of defective straps, chains, or securement devices

Liability often depends on who loaded the truck, who inspected the cargo, and who controlled the vehicle at the time of the accident. In many cases, more than one party contributes to the unsafe condition.

Evidence Used to Prove an Unsecured Cargo Claim

Investigating an unsecured cargo accident requires prompt action and detailed evidence. Relevant evidence often includes:

• Cargo loading records and weight documentation
• Driver logbooks showing inspection activity
• Photographs and video from the crash scene
• Inspection reports from the trucking company
• Police accident reports
• Statements from witnesses or other drivers
• Data from the truck’s electronic logging device
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration compliance records

How a Lawyer Can Help

Unsecured cargo trucking accidents involve complex evidence, multiple potentially liable parties, and federal regulations that govern how cargo must be loaded and secured. A Riverside Truck Accident Attorney can:

• Investigate the loading process and identify errors.
• Determine whether the trucking company violated safety regulations.
• Obtain securement records, inspection logs, and internal company documents.
• Work with trucking and engineering experts to analyze cargo movement.
• Identify all liable parties, including contractors and manufacturers.
• Pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering.

A lawyer ensures that victims do not face trucking companies or insurers alone and helps them build a strong claim grounded in evidence.

Contact Hanson & Mouri

Our Riverside Truck Accident Attorney can review your case, explain your options, and help you pursue the recovery you deserve. Contact us today online or by calling (951) 688-0006 to arrange a free consultation.