Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident Caused by an Improper Load?

When a massive, fully loaded commercial truck is involved in an accident, it can cause devastating injuries and property damage. In most cases, the occupants of the passenger vehicle involved in the accident suffer the most catastrophic injuries. Too often, these severe and often fatal truck accidents could have been prevented if the truck driver, trucking company, or other parties involved in the trucking industry prioritized safety.

When a truck accident is caused by improperly loaded cargo, several parties may be held liable, depending on the circumstances, including the following:

• The cargo loader.
• The trucking company.
• The truck driver.
• The owner of the truck.
• Third-party cargo handlers.

What Types of Accidents Are Caused by Improperly Loaded Cargo?

The cargo must be properly loaded and secured, whether a truck is transporting dry goods, construction materials, machinery, or hazardous material. Failure to do so is considered negligent and can lead to one of the following types of severe truck accidents:

• Rollover accidents: If the cargo inside the truck shifts or comes loose, it can throw off the truck’s center of gravity, making it unstable and challenging to control. If there are other passenger vehicles in the vicinity when a truck rolls over, it can cause a severe accident involving severe injuries and fatalities.
• Cargo spills: Another hazard can occur when cargo is not loaded and secured correctly. In addition to affecting the truck driver’s ability to maintain control of the truck, it can cause a devastating accident if the cargo hits another vehicle or causes motorists in the vicinity to swerve out of the way to avoid being hit.
• Jackknife accidents: These occur when the truck’s trailer slides towards the cab, forming a 90-degree angle. This can happen when the truck driver loses control when the cargo shifts or comes loose. When this happens, a passenger vehicle can become trapped between the two parts of the truck.
• Tire blowouts: If the cargo is not evenly distributed and too much weight is on one side of the truck, there is an increased risk of a tire blowout. This can cause the truck driver to lose control of the vehicle, leading to a severe accident if there are other cars nearby.
• Rear-end accidents: Large commercial trucks require significantly more road space to slow down and come to a complete stop than other passenger vehicles. When the cargo is not loaded correctly, the incorrect weight distribution can increase the truck’s stopping distance even more. This can increase the risk of a devastating rear-end accident.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Cargo-Related Truck Accidents?

There are a range of factors that can increase the risk of a severe truck accident that is caused by improperly loaded cargo. The following are some of the most common causes of these largely preventable accidents:

• Individuals responsible for loading the trucks are not adequately trained.
• The cargo exceeds the legal limits for truck loads.
• The cargo is not distributed evenly.
• The truck driver’s view is obstructed by overloaded cargo.
• The tie-downs are worn or broken.
• The load was not properly inspected.

Bibb County Truck Accident Lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC Represent Survivors of Truck Accidents

If you were seriously injured in a truck accident caused by improperly loaded cargo, do not hesitate to contact our Bibb County truck accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 478-254-2007 or contact us online. Located in Macon, Georgia, we serve clients in Savannah, Albany, and Atlanta.