unsecured load

[snickers456]

What is the name of your state? MI. I was moving a chair and a end table which I had down with bungee cords, a semi passed on a 4 lane highway and up came the table and planted it in the middle of the 2 lanes. Cars were going around it but were slowed down, I got almost back to retreive it when a semi panicked and threw on his brakes causing him to start to jack knife and then he bumped a car in the other lane which thew them into the wall. The cop gave me a ticket for unsecured load #257-720 which he told me to call the court get the fine and send it in. He also said that it was the semi*s fault for not paying attention and having control of his rig. The court sent me a arrignment notice saying I'd have to appear for this. Can you tell me what to expect? Thanks

[wirry1422]

All I have to say about this one is that you are extremely lucky that no one was seriously injured or killed. You certainly could have been held responsible. You are also lucky again that the semi-driver was ticketed for not having control of the rig, which means that again, you will probably not be held responsible by insurance companies for the damage to the other car, although you still may be liable (and you should be as far as i'm concened.) When moving loads on the exterior of your vehicle it is your responsiblility as the driver to make double sure that that load is securely fastened to the vehicle. Especially when traveling on interstate highways, where hight winds and momentum changes can cause a load that has not been totally tied down, to fall from the vehicle. This incident could have caused a massive, catastrophic, and deadly chain reaction accident. The very fact that the load fell from the vehicle, means that it was unsecured. You are guilty, plead guilty, pay the fine, and thank your lucky stars that you aren't responsible for an innocent motorists' death.