How Cargo Loading Errors Can Cause Trucking Accidents

When people think about truck accidents in Mississippi, they often think about crashes caused by distracted drivers, impaired drivers, and heavy traffic. However, a big part of trucking safety comes down to how cargo is loaded. A truck’s cargo makes up a significant portion of its overall weight, and when it’s loaded carelessly or in an unbalanced manner, it can lead to tragedy.

Have you been involved in a truck accident in Biloxi? The team at Gardner Law Group can help you pursue compensation. Give us a call at 228-436-6555 and set up a consultation now.

Common Types of Cargo Loading Errors

Proper cargo loading requires attention to detail and adherence to basic protocols. Many errors fall into a handful of categories:

• Overloading: Overloading is shockingly common in the trucking industry. Trucks are only legally permitted to transport a certain amount, but if a load assigned to a truck driver exceeds that limit, they may choose to go over what their truck can manage. In many cases, trucking companies actually pressure drivers to take oversized loads to avoid losing a profitable job.

• Uneven weight distribution: This is incredibly dangerous. When a load isn’t evenly distributed across the truck’s trailer, the truck may naturally pull to one side of the road or the other. Any quick changes in direction or speed could cause the load to become even more unbalanced.

• Putting heavier cargo on top of lighter cargo: Commercial trucks already have a much higher center of gravity than other types of vehicles. Putting heavier cargo on the bottom not only protects the cargo itself but also weighs the truck down and protects it from rollovers. Heavier cargo being stacked higher in a truck increases the risk of a rollover.

• Improper securement: Cargo must be properly secured and tied down to keep it from sliding around and shifting during transport. Rushing through this step can make cargo shift dramatically, increasing the risk of a collision.

How These Mistakes Lead to Collisions

Poor cargo loading practices can cause crashes in many different ways. To start, improperly loaded or secured cargo can make it much easier for a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle. Truck drivers expect cargo to act in a certain way during transit, and when it throws off the balance of the vehicle, shifts unexpectedly, or weighs down the truck more than it should, they may struggle to maintain control of the vehicle.

Unbalanced cargo can also increase the likelihood of a rollover. These collisions can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage, shut down highways, and lead to fatalities.

These errors can also cause secondary accidents. Cargo that is improperly secured can come loose during transit and force open the back of the trailer, leaving cargo strewn across the roadway. Drivers attempting to avoid falling cargo often cause other collisions.

Finally, equipment failure is a likely outcome when cargo is not loaded appropriately. Overloaded trucks often experience brake failure and tire blowouts.

What Does the FMCSA Say?

The FMCSA, which has extensive regulations on every aspect of the trucking industry, also has in-depth regulations governing how cargo is to be loaded and secured. These regulations specify how much cargo can move in each direction when a truck is accelerating or decelerating, which securement devices are to be used how they are to be used, and the use of anchor points. Failure to follow these rules can lead to penalties should the FMCSA find out. These deficiencies can also affect the outcome of a truck accident claim, as failure to follow best practices may influence liability.

It’s important to recognize that best practices don’t just relate to how securement devices are used and how cargo is stacked. They also refer to the extensive maintenance needed for safe trucking. Securement devices withstand a substantial amount of wear and tear on a daily basis, and it’s not uncommon for equipment used in cargo loading and securement to be replaced fairly frequently.

Start Your Truck Accident Claim with Gardner Law Group

If you’re ready to start your truck accident claim, reach out to the team at Gardner Law Group today. Let’s talk more about your accident and the next steps. Call us at 228-436-6555 or send us a message online now.