Falling debris, rollovers, vehicle instability, and hazardous material spills are some of the dangers posed by unsecured cargo in commercial vehicles. With a clear understanding of these and other dangers, truckers, trucking companies, and others can take appropriate measures to protect against accidents caused by unsecured cargo. If you are involved in a wreck caused by another party’s negligence, call our knowledgable Galveston truck accident attorney for assistance today.
What Is Unsecured Cargo?
Cargo that’s not properly tied down, covered, or contained may be considered unsecured. Because of this, it could move around in a commercial vehicle. When this happens, the cargo could fall out or make it difficult to operate the vehicle safely.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has cargo securement rules for trucking companies and truck drivers. Failure to comply with these rules can increase the risk of commercial vehicle accidents. If a trucking company or trucker doesn’t secure cargo correctly and an accident takes place, one or both parties could be held liable.
Commercial Vehicle Unsecured Cargo Dangers That You Need to Know About
Trucking companies and truck drivers are responsible for securing cargo and making sure that it will stay in place during transit. Otherwise, if there’s unsecured cargo in a commercial vehicle, any of the following problems could arise that put motorists, pedestrians, and others in danger:
- Falling debris: Cargo that falls off a truck that’s traveling at a high speed could strike a vehicle and cause an accident, injuries, and fatalities. Or, it can create sudden obstacles for motorists.
- Vehicle instability: A shifting load can alter a truck’s center of gravity and make the vehicle susceptible to a tipover or rollover. Or, if a heavy load shifts abruptly, uneven weight distribution could cause the vehicle to jackknife.
- Vehicle handling issues: Loose cargo can slide within a trailer during braking or other maneuvers. This can affect vehicle handling, alter weight distribution, and increase the risk of losing control or being unable to respond safely to roadway conditions.
- Vehicle parts wear and tear: Cargo that moves to one side of a truck can put a strain on the vehicle’s brakes, tires, and other components. This can impact vehicle handling and place additional stress on the tires, suspension, and other components.
- Hazardous material spills: A spill can occur if a commercial vehicle is carrying chemicals or other toxic substances that aren’t secured. This has the potential to lead to a fire or an explosion.
If an accident happens for these or other reasons, a truck driver, a trucking company, a cargo loader, or other parties may be at fault. Any liable parties could have to cover the tangible and intangible losses of anyone harmed during the incident.
What to Do If You’re Injured in an Unsecured Cargo Truck Accident
Treat your accident injuries and continue to do so for as long as necessary. In addition, track what you spend on medical care. You can also gather accident scene photos, witness statements, and other evidence to use in a case against any liable parties.
Have a personal injury lawyer who has experience with cases involving cargo load errors evaluate your accident. Your attorney can find out why your accident may have happened, identify any liable parties, and estimate your case’s value. From here, they may help you pursue economic and non-economic damages from any responsible parties through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit.