Falling Cargo and Flying Debris: Washington’s ‘Secure Your Load’ Push and the Injury Claims That Follow

Both private drivers and trucking companies may load cargo onto a vehicle. Private drivers may be traveling with something tied to their roof or a large piece of cargo protruding from the trunk. Commercial vehicles certainly contain large amounts of cargo that they are transporting. When one carelessly loads cargo onto a vehicle, it has the potential to lead to a serious accident.

Not only can unsecured cargo lead to an accident, but flying debris can also cause hazards. A driver may carelessly throw a cup out of a car window that gets caught in the wind. Even if litter does not weigh enough to damage a vehicle, something flying through the air can startle a motorist.

Unsecured Loads Are a Persistent Problem on Washington Roadways

While it may seem like a crash caused by flying cargo and debris could be considered a freak accident, it happens far more often than you think on Washington roadways. In 2024, there were 337 crashes caused by unsecured loads that resulted in 32 injuries. These statistics are in line with historical trends in the state.

It is with this in mind that Washington has initiated a “Secure Your Load” campaign. The campaign is now in its fifth Year, and it is ongoing. This effort is both to raise awareness of the hazards of unsecured cargo and to enforce safety laws. NAPA Auto Parts is offering a 15% discount voucher on tie-down equipment to drivers who pledge to secure their loads. At the same time, local law enforcement conducted special patrols throughout the state during the first three weekends in June. In 2024, Washington police officers issued $532 in citations for unsecured loads.

How Unsecured Loads Can Cause Serious Accidents

Cargo and debris can cause serious injuries to other drivers on the road in several ways. First, cargo may fly off the vehicle and strike other vehicles. Even if the falling cargo does not directly hit a car, a driver may lose control of their vehicle attempting to avoid it. When that happens, multi-car pileups often result because of the unpredictable nature of the driver’s actions. A motorist certainly cannot be held responsible when they swerve to avoid cargo and debris, or they are startled by it.

Trucks Are Subject to Federal Cargo Loading Regulations

Not only is falling cargo a danger from private vehicles, but it is also a distinct hazard from commercial trucks. The Secure Your Load campaign does not replace the core obligations that trucking companies must follow. Federal regulations contain a number of requirements that trucking companies must follow when it comes to securing cargo. These mandates include the following:

• Cargo must be loaded and secured to prevent leaking, spilling, blowing, falling, or shifting in a way that affects vehicle stability or safety.
• Cargo securement systems must meet certain performance requirements.
• Cargo securement devices, such as chains, straps, binders, anchor points, and edge protection, must also meet listed standards.
• The working load limits of tie-down systems must not be exceeded.

Injury Claims for Accidents Caused By Falling Debris

If you have been injured in an accident caused by falling cargo or flying debris, there are several possible defendants in a lawsuit. In many cases, you can hold the trucking company responsible because they were the ones who loaded the cargo. In other cases, it is not the trucking company itself that loaded the cargo. In these instances, a third-party cargo loader may have been the one who failed to follow regulations. Then, you may be able to hold both them and the trucking company liable (assuming that the trucking company also played a role in the accident).

However, one core challenge that you will face in a fallen debris accident case is locating the driver who was responsible for the crash. A motorist may have driven off and not stopped when cargo flew from their vehicle. It may take an intensive investigation to learn who was to blame for the accident because it may not be immediately apparent at the scene. That is exactly why you need to contact a Vancouver truck accident attorney immediately after the accident. They can conduct an investigation before you lose key evidence that can help your case.

Contact a Vancouver Truck Accident Law Firm

The experienced Vancouver truck accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer can begin working to get to the bottom of what happened as soon as you hire us. The first step that you need to take is to schedule an initial consultation. You can do this by visiting our website or by calling us today at (360) 695-4244. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to gather the evidence you need to win your case.