Commercial Truck Cargo Regulations
Not only is it a concern when semi-trucks are on the road but the cargo itself is an additional concern. A large commercial truck load can be tens of thousands of pounds and any number of factors can cause that cargo to spill out onto the road or unbalance the truck leading to accidents.
If you have been injured by dislodged truck cargo, it is in your best interest to contact an experiened personal injury attorney.
Lawyer for Commercial Truck Accidents in Florida
When an 18-wheeler drops some or all of its cargo on the road, the results can be catastrophic. Often times it can be difficult to bring a suit against truckers and the companies they work for. That is why it is crucial to find an experienced truck accident attorney to assist you if you have been injured in a commercial truck accident.
The attorneys at Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys are seasoned trial veterans that know how to get the most compensation possible for their clients when they have been injured by the debris from a semi-truck. You owe it to yourself to get the best representation possible. We proudly serve clients in the greater Miami-Dade area including Miami, Homestead, Hialeah, Pinecrest, Miami Gardens, Miami Beach, North Miami, Doral, Coral Gables and Cutler Bay. The attorneys at Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys are ready to fight for your interest and you can set up an appointment to have them look over and evaluate your case at (305) 709-0880.
Florida Truck Cargo Regulations Information Center
Commercial Truck Cargo Regulations Overview
Because the risk of cargo related accidents is so acute the regulations regarding their cargo set very specific criteria for what is considered a minimum level of safe performance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that tiedown assemblies for securing loads, such as chains, steel straps, and synthetic webbings, must meet the minimal performance requirements below:
- §393.102 What are the minimum performance criteria for cargo securement devices and systems?
(a) Performance criteria—
(1) Breaking strength. …must be designed, installed, and maintained to ensure that the maximum forces acting on the devices or systems do not exceed the manufacturer’s breaking strength rating under the following conditions, applied separately:
(i) 0.8 g deceleration in the forward direction;
(ii) 0.5 g acceleration in the rearward direction; and
(iii) 0.5 g acceleration in a lateral direction.
What this means is at the assembly’s weakest point it must be able to withstand 80% of the cargo’s weight without breaking from forward momentum, and 50% of that weight without breaking when that weight is moving laterally or backwards.
Furthermore, section 393.104(b) prohibits the use of damaged cargo securement assemblies. It specifically states that even a crack or a cut to a component of an assembly could be prohibited. Likewise structural points on the vehicle itself such as walls or anchor points must meet the same stringent requirements required in section 393.102 above.
Beyond performance criteria, the FMCSA also requires that tiedown assembly components conform to manufacturing standards. As an example, Section 393.104(e) demands that Steel Strapping conform to American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) D3953-97, February 1998, standard for strapping, flat steel and seals.
Failure to comply with these rules and regulations can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. The specificity of the laws adds another level of complexity to a potential case that requires an experienced attorney to navigate.
Commercial Truck Cargo Resources
FMCSA Cargo Regulations – Following this link will take you to the FMCSA’s specific regulations regarding performance requirements and standards for commercial truck cargo. The discussion above summarizes the key points of cargo regulations but it can be helpful to read the exact words for yourself.
Cargo Insurance Requirements – The FMCSA also requires that certain entities in commerical trucking carry cargo insurance. The link will give you general information about who must have cargo insurance. The link also provides information about what trucking companies must file with the FMCSA itself in regards to cargo insurance.
Find a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney in Florida
When something falls off an 18-wheeler it can cause deadly results. Bringing a lawsuit for injuries caused by such an incident can be a frustrating experience if you do not have the right people helping you. That is why it is so important that you reach out to someone who knows what they are doing and knows how to fight for their clients.
We represent injured people in communities throughout the Miami area including North Miami, Miami Beach, Miami Gardens, Doral, Homestead, Cutler Bay, Hialeah, Coral Gables and Pinecrest. Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys is a family firm that is compassionate towards our clients and will aggressively fight against the people that harmed them. Reach out to Abrams Justice Trial Attorneys if you have been injured by falling truck cargo and debris. You can reach us at (305) 709-0880 and set an appointment to come in and discuss your case with us.