Many things can lead to a devastating truck accident in Manchester, Tennessee. Road or weather conditions, truck driver negligence and poorly maintained trucks are three reasons these crashes may occur.
Another little-known reason for truck accidents is improperly loaded cargo. When loads are not secured correctly or are unbalanced, cargo shifts can occur, making it hard for the trucker to maintain control of the vehicle.
Common cargo loading hazards
The following improper cargo loading issues can result in truck accidents and severe injuries:
- Too much weight. When overloaded with weight, the truck’s braking system may fail, or it might take longer to stop the vehicle, resulting in a crash.
- Unsecured loads. In addition to cargo shifting, as mentioned before, unsecured loads can affect how well the trucker handles the vehicle.
- Unbalanced cargo. Large trucks function best when their load is well-balanced from front-to-back to side-to-side. Like unsecured loads, unbalanced loads can make it hard for the driver to control the vehicle.
- High center of gravity. When cargo is stacked too high in a truck trailer, it may result in truck accidents like rollovers.
Extra-wide or long loads can also cause a truck accident, especially with untrained drivers.
Liability in accidents caused by cargo
Uncovering who is liable for cargo-related truck accidents begins by determining who is responsible for ensuring a safe load. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the carrier or company and its driver are responsible for safe cargo loading. Drivers must inspect their cargo and, if necessary, adjust the load to make it as safe as possible.
Understanding how unsafe cargo causes truck accidents gives you additional areas of liability to explore if you are having trouble with your claim. An advocate can provide you with more information about your legal options in the wake of a crash.