In August 2025, a tractor-trailer owned by a third-party freight carrier was transporting thousands of pounds of frozen hot dogs when it overturned and struck another vehicle on Interstate 83 while traveling through York County, Pennsylvania, resulting in the meat products spilling across the highway. According to local authorities, the incident occurred on a weekday morning during rush-hour traffic as the tractor-trailer was nearing an exit ramp. In this moment, the driver of the truck reportedly lost control due to an undisclosed mechanical problem, causing it to tip over, hit a nearby passenger vehicle and tear open the boxes of tightly packed hot dogs in the process.

The meat products quickly spilled throughout several lanes of traffic, forcing the Pennsylvania State Police and Shrewsbury Fire Department to temporarily shut down the highway in both directions for over four hours. A cleanup crew safely disposed of the spoiled cargo with heavy machinery and applied a chemical treatment to stabilize the road.

Local authorities reported that the spilled hot dogs created an extremely slippery surface as they thawed on the hot asphalt. This ultimately affected multiple other vehicles on the roadway before the area was properly closed off.

“We’ve dealt with oil spills and livestock before, but this was a first,” said Fire Chief Don Thoma. “The frozen hot dogs created an incredibly slick surface. It was like walking on marbles.”

Although the incident didn’t seriously harm any motorists or pedestrians, emergency responders confirmed that four people—including the truck driver—received medical assistance for minor injuries.At this time, the driver and freight carrier have not been issued any citations or other penalties for their
involvement in the incident; however, an investigation is currently underway.

Altogether, this loss showcases the far-reaching consequences and logistical challenges of cargo spills—even those involving seemingly nonhazardous materials. As such, it’s important for trucking companies to be aware of notable cargo spill cases and take steps to prevent similar incidents. In doing so, these companies can better safeguard goods in transit, minimize related road hazards and disruptions, and protect their own operations against large-scale losses and liabilities.

Cargo Spills Explained

A cargo spill refers to any unintentional release of goods, liquids or raw materials from a truck or other vehicle specifically designed to transport freight while it’s traveling on the roadway. Any type of cargo has the potential to spill, but some of the most common culprits include large equipment and machinery, bulk dry goods (e.g., grain, gravel, mulch or sand), general packaged goods, livestock and certain hazardous materials (e.g., chemicals, oil or gasoline).

While various factors may contribute to cargo spills, these incidents generally stem from one of the following primary problems:

• Improper loading—Cargo should be loaded on a truck based on the width, length and height of the trailer. The weight of the cargo must be evenly distributed and placed in accordance with the truck axles. Additionally, loaded cargo shouldn’t exceed the vehicle’s predetermined weight limit for freight. When freight is overloaded or not loaded properly, it’s much more likely to shift throughout the trailer when the truck starts moving, impacting the vehicle’s traction and stability (especially during abrupt maneuvers) and making it vulnerable to tire blowouts, braking issues, steering problems and rollovers—all of which can cause a cargo spill.
• Poor securement—In addition to proper loading, cargo must be firmly secured within a truck. Specific securement standards vary based on the type of freight being transported, but typically include the use of restraints and other load securement devices (e.g., straps, tie-downs, load binders, chains and hooks). Without proper securement measures in place, cargo will be prone to sliding or shifting within the trailer. This movement can make the vehicle particularly susceptible to tipping as it turns, resulting in a cargo spill. Poorly secured cargo may also travel longer distances and cover more substantial portions of the road during a spill, causing further damage.
• Vehicle or driver issues—Even when freight is safely loaded and secured, accidents can still happen on the road, potentially resulting in cargo spills. Some of these accidents may arise from poor vehicle maintenance and subsequent mechanical issues or breakdowns. In contrast, others may occur due to unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding, making sudden turns or lane changes, engaging in distracting activities behind the wheel, following other vehicles too closely or neglecting to comply with local traffic laws. High-impact accidents, namely fishtail and jackknife incidents, are most likely to result in cargo spills.

Cargo spills happen far more often than the public may realize. In fact, recent data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) revealed that shifting, falling or spilling cargo causes more than 3,000 accidents on U.S. highways each year.

Cargo spills can wreak major havoc on the road, causing significant obstructions and closures and threatening truck drivers’ safety. Furthermore, these incidents often contribute to secondary accidents that may seriously injure—or even kill—additional motorists and pedestrians. If these incidents involve hazardous materials, they could also harm the environment by polluting the air with dangerous toxins and contaminating nearby soil and water sources.

Depending on the overall damage and amount of cargo spilled, these incidents can disrupt trucking companies’ operations for extended periods, tarnish customer trust and loyalty, and prompt costly litigation and legal penalties. This could leave trucking companies with lasting reputational damage, reduced employee morale and diminished financial stability.

Risk Management and Coverage Considerations

Although the specific details of the aforementioned cargo spill cases vary, these incidents all have at least one shared component: They stemmed from overturned or otherwise tipped vehicles. With this in mind, it’s crucial for trucking companies to implement adequate risk management measures to prevent their vehicles from tipping and, thus, protect against cargo spills. Best practices include the following:

• Ensure proper loading and securement measures. Trucking companies should carefully assess the unique characteristics of their fleets and the freight they will be transporting to determine appropriate cargo loading and securement practices. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all arrangement; these measures will differ between individual vehicles, loads and journeys. At a minimum, trucking companies must ensure even cargo distribution in their trailers, utilize approved restraints and other load securement devices that are capable of keeping the freight firmly in place, and never allow loads to exceed their vehicles’ provided weight limits for carrying cargo.
• Conduct routine vehicle inspections and maintenance. Commercial fleets should be kept on frequent and documented maintenance schedules to ensure all parts and mechanical systems are in good condition, with certified professionals conducting repairs when necessary. Trucking companies should also require their drivers to inspect their vehicles before and after each journey for any damaged, missing or worn parts—including all cargo restraints and other load securement devices. Drivers should never be permitted to operate vehicles in need of repairs.
• Implement safe driving policies. Trucking companies should implement several policies that promote safe driving habits to limit the risk of vehicle rollovers and subsequent cargo spills caused by driver error. These policies may address topics such as driver qualification standards, defensive driving techniques, distracted and impaired driving prevention measures, adherence to local traffic laws, and vehicle breakdown and emergency response protocols.
• Provide employee training. In addition to enforcing safe driving policies, trucking companies should regularly educate their drivers on common causes of cargo spills, the potential implications of these incidents and top mitigation strategies. This training should emphasize how damaging these incidents can be and highlight the valuable role drivers play in protecting against them, thereby fostering a culture of safety and encouraging employees to further prioritize accident prevention.
• Maintain compliance. The DOT and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have specific regulations regarding proper loading and securement practices for different types of cargo, particularly food, livestock and hazardous materials. Potential requirements include using certain restraints and other load securement devices and conducting periodic checks to confirm that freight remains intact throughout each journey. Trucking companies should work alongside legal counsel to review all applicable DOT and FMCSA requirements and ensure their operations are compliant. This compliance should be well-documented.

On top of implementing effective risk management tactics, trucking companies should contact trusted insurance professionals to explore different coverage options that can help mitigate the financial fallout from cargo spills. Possible policies to consider include commercial auto insurance (namely, auto liability and physical damage coverage), workers’ compensation coverage, environmental and pollution liability insurance, and specialized motor truck cargo coverage.

When obtaining such coverage, trucking companies should confirm that their policies apply to various cargo spill scenarios. It’s also imperative for trucking companies to regularly assess and update their insurance selections, making sure these policies include coverage limits that accurately reflect their overall loss potential.

Conclusion

As evidenced by the hot dog incident and similar cases, cargo pose a range of risks for trucking companies. By reviewing these exposures, trucking companies can understand the possible ramifications of cargo spills and implement necessary risk management measures to help prevent them, ultimately protecting their operations while limiting major losses. Yet, even with these measures in place, cargo spills may still occur. In such cases, having sufficient insurance coverage can provide trucking companies with much-needed financial protection for the associated losses.

For more risk management resources, contact INSURICA today.

This is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel or an insurance professional for appropriate advice. ©2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved