Semi-truck trailers must be loaded properly, or the cargo can pose a safety hazard to the trucker and others on the road. Because of the possibility of shifting when the truck is moving, these loads have to be balanced and secured in a way that prevents them from being able to throw the truck off course.
There are several ways that improper loading can occur. While some of these are the fault of the trucker, not all of them are. Getting to the root of the issue might help you determine who to hold accountable for the impacts of the accident. Here are some common semi-truck load hazards:
- Imbalanced loads: All semi-truck loads must be balanced side-to-side, as well as on the axles. Improperly balanced loads can lead to a loss of traction or to the truck tipping.
- Overloading: All semi-trucks and trailers have weight limits. Overloading them can make it impossible for brakes and other systems to function properly.
- Sloshing liquids: Tanker trucks face the unique problem of sloshing liquid throwing the trailer off-kilter. Using baffles and ensuring a proper fill can reduce this possibility.
- High center of gravity: When the center of gravity is too high, there is a risk of the trailer rolling over. Keeping cargo to a lower height can prevent this from occurring.
- Improperly secured: Items that aren’t secured properly can come loose. They might fly forward when the truck stops or backwards when the truck moves forward, both of which can lead to an accident.
If you are struck by the cargo from a semi-truck, you might decide to take legal action. This enables you to turn to the defendants to ask for compensation for damages like lost wages and medical bills.