Latest Blogs

In February, State officials urged drivers to secure their loads after two workers, cleaning up trash along I-75, were injured in Collier County. A van struck the two workers around 10 a.m. as they were crossing I-75 at mile marker 112 in a four-by-four utility vehicle. They were hospitalized with non-incapacitating injuries and are fortunately expected to recover, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

FHP Lt. Greg Bueno said in a press conference, “We have rules of the road, and one of the most important rules on our road is to make sure you secure your load.”

A maintenance engineer with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) told the Naples Daily News that the crash illustrated the dangers of drivers dumping trash or carrying unsecured loads that spill on the road. Ms. Perez said this is an escalating problem since workers have picked up 226 tons of litter and debris on I-75 from Collier County to Manatee County in January and February alone. This is 2.5 times the amount from the same period three years ago.

The AAA Foundation for Safety reported that in one four-year span in the United States, road debris caused over:

• 200,000 crashes
• 39,000 injuries
• 500 fatalities

Florida has a population boom and with this boom comes the need for more of everything, including housing, schools, and other supporting infrastructure. To fulfill these needs, many large trucks are on our roads and highways every day. Construction supplies, metal, trash, equipment, and debris may fall off commercial trucks. When these trucks are traveling at high speeds on our expressways and interstates, accidents happen.

How Unsecured Loads and Debris Cause Accidents

When cargo is not properly secured, there is any number of potential vehicle accidents that can occur. These include collisions caused by:

Flying Objects – Cargo must be properly secured from the potential of flying off vehicles. Just because cargo may seem to be secure at a residential speed, there is a possibility that it can become dislodged at highway speeds. This puts both the driver and every other motorist at risk of injury. 

Obstructed Views – When cargo is improperly loaded and secured, it can make it difficult for the operator to drive safely. Items may become loose while driving, or they may shift, making it difficult for the operator to see clearly. 

Road Debris – Cargo landing on a roadway can cause other vehicles to hit the objects and injure motorists. They may also swerve to avoid the items causing a collision. According to AAA, the most common types of road debris are:

• Detached parts from cars and trucks, like tires or wheels
• Unsecured cargo like furniture, appliances, and other items that fall off a vehicle
• Trailers separating from a vehicle and colliding with another vehicle

Who’s Liable for Road Unsecured Load and Debris Accidents?

Liability depends on how the load or debris ended up on the road. The person operating the vehicle with the unsecured load, or the person who was responsible for loading the cargo onto the vehicle may be liable. Should the vehicle be a commercial vehicle, the vehicle’s owner may also be liable.

Only an experienced personal injury attorney can identify all the liable parties and hold them accountable for any accidents and injuries caused by unsecured loads and road debris, including getting compensation for injuries and damage to other vehicles.

Florida Personal Injury Attorney Randall Spivey has handled a wide variety of accident cases involving unsecured loads and road debris. Careless passenger vehicle drivers, commercial truck drivers, and their companies may put the public at risk when they have unsecured loads. Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident please contact Attorney Randall Spivey at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com.