How Can Improperly Loaded Cargo Lead to Truck Accidents?
There are a variety of ways that negligence by truck drivers or trucking companies can lead to dangerous truck accidents. While some collisions are caused by a driver’s negligent operation of a truck, such as by speeding or driving while drowsy, others may occur because of the way cargo was loaded or secured. In these cases, multiple parties may be liable for injuries suffered by the drivers or passengers of other vehicles, and these parties may include a driver who did not ensure that cargo was properly secured on their truck, the trucking company that employed the driver, a company that was responsible for loading cargo on a truck, or the manufacturer of defective cargo securement devices.
Cargo-Related Safety Issues That Can Cause Truck Accidents
There are multiple ways that improper loading of cargo can lead to accidents and injuries, including:
- Unbalanced cargo - Items should be properly distributed throughout a truck’s cargo area. If cargo is not loaded properly, the truck’s weight distribution may place too much pressure on one axle, which can affect the traction of the tires or lead to other issues that make it more difficult for the driver to control their vehicle.
- Shifting cargo - Items that are not tied down properly or secured within a truck’s cargo area may move around during transit. This can throw off the vehicle’s balance and cause a driver to lose control, especially when traveling at high speeds.
- Overloading - Trucks have strict weight limits, but in some cases, trucking companies may disobey these limits in hopes of delivering more items in a single trip. Trucks with heavier loads will take longer to slow down and stop, and this may result in rear-end collisions. Overloaded trucks may also be top-heavy, increasing the risks of rollover accidents.
- Falling cargo - If cargo is not properly secured, or if straps or other devices break during transit, items may fall from the truck. Cargo that lands on another vehicle can seriously injure drivers or passengers, or items that fall into the road can create dangerous obstacles, and collisions may occur when other vehicles swerve or slow down suddenly.
Contact Our Aurora, IL Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision involving a tractor-trailer truck, the attorneys of Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C. can determine whether your injury was caused by cargo that was not properly loaded or secured. We will investigate the circumstances of your accident, identify all liable parties, and help you take legal action to recover financial compensation. Contact our Kane County truck crash lawyers at 630-907-0909 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Source:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/cargo-securement/drivers-handbook-cargo-securement
