As an accident last week in Texas demonstrates, hauling unstable cargo can have disastrous consequences.
On Sept. 3, a Ford F-150 pickup truck was hauling a dump truck attached to a trailer. According to the McKinney Courier-Gazette, the dump truck was unstable and caused the pickup driver to lose control. He swerved and ended up across both lines of southbound U.S. 75 – and into the path of an oncoming semi.
The driver of the 18-wheeler braked suddenly to avoid a crash. However, the abrupt braking caused the semi to swerve, sideswipe two other cars and overturn. It ended up perpendicular across the highway, creating a barrier for oncoming traffic.
Approximately 70 to 80 gallons of diesel fuel were spilled out onto the highway and firefighters had to clamp a punctured fuel line on the tractor-trailer. In addition, the semi was hauling a large cargo of free-standing fireplaces which had to be removed before the highway could re-open.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.
The news report did not indicate whether the fireplaces were secured properly. However, federal regulations require commercial drivers to “firmly immobilize” cargo so that it cannot shift while in transit.
If you or a loved one has been injured or a family member has been killed in a collision with a large truck, we urge you to contact the Lowe Law Firm by calling 877-678-3400 or filling out our online contact form.
Our trucking-accident attorneys will find out whether the truck driver, trucking company, or trailer owner is responsible for the accident. If so, we will then seek compensation for future and other related medical expenses, future and other affected wages, pain and suffering, disability and/or other related damages.