2 Logging Truck 18-Wheeler Rollover Accidents Shut Down Texas S.H. 242

Montgomery County truck cargo accident lawyers note an 18-wheeler rollover on I-45 at S.H. 242 that shut down the road for several hours on Thursday morning. The Montgomery County Police Reporter and other news media provided details on the 18-wheeler rollover.

The truck driver was driving for SAPP Logging and had picked up a timber load for a mill in Cleveland. He said he felt his load was top heavy and that he tried to rebalance it by turning. (Ever tried that? Is it practical?) His sharp turn on the feeder road into S.H. 242 sent the truck into a rollover that ejected about 60 logs from the back of the truck.

Fortunately, no other motorists on the road in the morning rush hour were injured by the rollover and spilled timber. The truck driver was trapped in the cab when the truck turned over. He kicked out a window to free himself. A diesel fuel spill from the overturned truck and a scattering of logs all over the roadway delayed traffic and made commuting hazardous for most of the day.

On Wednesday morning, a similar logging truck accident had occurred. A truck driver working for Anderson Trucking was headed to a mill with a load of burned timber when he overturned at US 59 and S.H. 242. The driver wasn’t wearing a seat belt and received minor injuries in the 18-wheeler rollover, but no other injuries were reported.

The Montgomery County Police Reporter noted that the investigators found several safety violations on the Anderson Trucking vehicle. These included improperly set trailer brakes and a tire violation. The weight carried by the truck was only just legal, probably around 82,000 pounds according to the truck driver. Our Montgomery County truck cargo accident lawyers mention that with proper permits, such a load might slightly exceed the standard 80,000-pound 18-wheeler weight limit.

The Montgomery County truck cargo accident lawyers at Denena & Points took a look at the Texas DPS manual that truckers use to review for their commercial drivers’ licenses. The manual contains detailed information on the laws truck drivers must follow. What does it say about loading and securing cargo?

• A trucker is legally responsible for inspecting his cargo, “recognizing overloads and poorly balanced weight,” and knowing if the cargo is properly secured.
• Before a trucker begins a trip, he should “make sure the truck is not overloaded and that the cargo is balanced and secured properly.” (Section 3.1.)
• Inspect the cargo and its securing devices again 25 miles after beginning a trip and every 3 hours/150 miles thereafter. (Section 3.1)
• The trucker is responsible for not being overloaded. (Section 3.2)
• “Don’t be top heavy.” “Poor weight balance can make vehicle handling unsafe.” “On flatbed vehicles, there is also a greater chance of rollover.” (Section 3.2)

It appears that the drivers of the two 18 wheelers involved in the Wednesday and Thursday morning accidents at S.H. 242 failed to follow these procedures and live up to their legal responsibilities. To be fair, it might be somewhat impractical to check a load 25 miles in and then again every 150 miles. But when you’re carrying a load of heavy logs that are quite capable of mangling vehicles and their occupants should they suddenly fall from the truck, it IS imperative that you do a thorough check before you drive off with the load. Make sure it’s secure and NOT top-heavy BEFORE you drive out onto the public roads with it.

Failure to do so could make the truck drivers and their employers legally liable for damage done by subsequent accidents and cargo spills. For more information on truck accidents, legal liability, and obtaining financial compensation for truck accident damages, download our Montgomery County truck cargo accident lawyers’ free e-book with your essential road map to Texas 18-wheeler injury claims.