Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. Many of these accidents could be prevented by following proper safety procedures when loading cargo. Here’re the different ways trucks get improperly loaded and how that leads to motor vehicle accidents.
Overloading
It’s not uncommon for companies to overload their trucks beyond the legal limit. This is often done to save on shipping costs or because the company is in a hurry to get the product delivered.
Overloading a truck makes it more difficult for the driver to control and can lead to motor vehicle accidents. Additionally, if the truck is involved in an accident, the overloaded cargo can cause serious injuries to other motorists.
To avoid overloading, make sure you know the legal limit for your truck and don’t exceed it. If you’re not sure about your truck’s load’s capacity, talk to your boss or the company’s shipping department.
Improperly secured cargo
If cargo isn’t properly secured, it can shift while the truck is moving and throw the truck off balance. This can lead to accidents, especially on windy days or when the truck is going around a corner. Improperly secured cargo can also fall off the truck and hit another vehicle, causing an accident.
To avoid these accidents, make sure all the cargo is properly secured before you start driving. If it’s not, don’t hesitate to stop and fix it. It’s better to be late than to get into an accident.
Unevenly distributed cargo
If the cargo is unevenly distributed, it can make the truck harder to control. This is especially dangerous on highways where speeds are high and there’s little room for error. Unevenly distributed cargo can also lead to tipping over if the truck has to make a sudden stop.
Similarly to overloading, unevenly distributed cargo can cause serious injuries if the truck is involved in an accident. To avoid this, make sure the cargo is evenly distributed before you start driving.
Motor vehicle accidents involving trucks are often devastating. Truck drivers have a responsibility to make sure that cargo is properly loaded in their trucks to avoid these accidents.
