Big rigs are the largest vehicles on the road because they’re designed to carry large amounts of cargo. The bigger the trailer, the more cargo it can hold.
But if that cargo isn’t properly loaded, it becomes a hazard to others on the road. Cargo that isn’t stacked evenly and tied down well can result in disastrous damage to other vehicles sharing the road and their occupants.
There isn’t just one problem that can result from improperly loaded cargo. The consequences can range from external damage to a passing car to life-threatening injuries to someone in that car.
Accidents involving large trucks—even empty ones—can result in serious injuries just from the size and weight of the vehicle. When cargo is improperly loaded, the risk of a truck accident is higher, and the potential injuries are more severe.
What Does Improperly Loaded Cargo Look Like?
A fully loaded commercial semi-truck in this country can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, including the tractor, trailer, and cargo. Up to 50,000 pounds of this weight may be cargo alone.
While an individual may not be able to see a truck’s cargo from the outside, the way it’s organized is important. Every box or barrel should be tied down and braced so that it will not tip or slide. If it’s not, the load may shift, causing a truck accident.
These are the primary ways that a truck may be improperly loaded:
- The truck’s load may be too heavy. Every truck has a maximum weight it can carry safely. If a truck exceeds this, the driver has a harder time controlling it. That’s because it’s harder to steer and requires more effort and time to stop.
- The truck’s cargo may be unevenly distributed. When too much weight is concentrated on one side of the truck, it “pulls” the truck in that direction, making it difficult to control. The same is true when too much weight is centered in the back of the trailer. Uneven cargo loads may cause a truck’s trailer to sway on curves or at high speeds.
- The truck’s cargo may not be secured. Unsecured cargo can shift while a truck is moving, resulting in a veer from one lane to another or even a tip-over.
What Types of Truck Accidents Are Caused by Improperly Loaded Cargo?
Loose or shifting cargo can cause the truck to move unpredictably, making it difficult for a driver to maintain control. While almost any type of accident can result, these are among the most dangerous outcomes of an improperly loaded cargo:
- Road Debris Accidents: Cargo that isn’t secured can fall out of the truck. It can hit other vehicles directly, or it can fall into the roadway where passing cars might hit it or hit another vehicle as they swerve around it.
- Rollovers: Anyone who has seen a commercial truck tipped over on or beside the road understands the danger a rollover poses. Big rigs carrying unevenly distributed cargo can tip when they’re turning, smashing into other vehicles and/or blocking traffic.
- Jackknife Accidents: When cargo shifts from one side of a trailer to the other, it “pushes” the trailer to swing out at a sharp angle. The trailer then “Vs” with the truck cab. Commercial truck jackknifing can lead to multi-vehicle accidents.
- Brake Failure Accidents: When a cargo truck is carrying too much weight, the brakes are under extra strain, which may cause them to fail. It’s easy to imagine the damage a big rig can cause if its driver cannot stop.
- Tire Failure Accident: Overloaded trucks also put excessive pressure on tires, increasing the chances of mechanical failure. A truck suffering a blowout at high speeds can have deadly consequences.
Any of these commercial truck issues can result in catastrophic damage to other vehicles, their drivers, and their passengers. It’s essential to determine liability to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Who Is Responsible for an Accident Caused by Improperly Loaded Cargo?
If someone is driving under the influence and smashes into another vehicle, the cause of the resulting accident is clear. But determining liability in a truck accident caused by improperly loaded cargo is much more complicated. The fault could lie with any number of parties.
This is why it’s essential to contact an experienced attorney early. An experienced law firm can quickly investigate to uncover the underlying facts.
Who was negligent in this particular case? It may be any one or more of these parties:
- Truck drivers who may have driven unsafely or failed to perform the required inspections.
- Cargo loading crews are responsible for placing and securing cargo in the truck; if accidents result from their failure to do so, they can be held liable.
- Trucking companies, if they fail to train their drivers, pressure drivers to drive too fast, transport overly heavy cargo, or falsify weight records to exceed legal limits.
Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy Can Help You Pursue Full and Fair Compensation
The Cleveland personal injury law firm of Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy has decades of experience representing Ohio residents in truck accident cases, including those involving improperly loaded cargo.
We have represented the rights of injured victims and their families in Ohio and across the country for almost a century. Consult with a Cleveland truck accident lawyer at our law firm today.
Contact our team of truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We’re committed to working long and hard to get the recovery you deserve.
