Drivers in California regularly share the roads with commercial trucks. Sadly, serious truck accidents are likely to occur especially when cargo isn’t properly loaded or secured.
What are the rules and regulations on cargo loading?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets rules and regulations pertaining to trucks and cargo they transport from one destination to another. According to the agency, improperly loaded cargo is one of the leading causes of truck accidents.
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If cargo is not properly loaded, it can cause a variety of problems and potential accidents that can result in catastrophic injuries and deaths. Trucks can overturn, causing a rollover accident. Cargo can spill out all over the road and into other vehicles if it comes loose. Truck drivers can easily lose control of the truck in any scenario where cargo is improperly loaded.
What are the most common cargo loading errors?
The FMCSA also outlines the ways cargo should be safely loaded and secured to a truck. The tie-downs used to secure cargo must be the proper size and strength and should not be worn.
Cargo must be evenly distributed on the truck. If it’s lopsided with more weight placed on one side or in the front versus the back, it can lead to a problem that can result in a big rig accident.
Trucking companies are required to follow the rules of weight limits when loading cargo onto their trucks. If too much weight is loaded, it can have deadly consequences. The truck driver must also be able to see, which means that cargo cannot obstruct their view of the road behind them or to the sides.
A truck accident caused by improper cargo loading often results in permanently disabling injuries or even death. If you or a loved one suffered, you must hold the at-fault party accountable.