Improper Cargo Loading Can Undermine Tractor Trailer Safety
A fully loaded tractor trailer in South Florida can weigh as much as 40 tons. It is imperative that large commercial trucks are loaded properly. A poorly loaded and/or overloaded trailer is a safety risk. It can cause a catastrophic accident. Here, our West Palm Beach commercial truck accident attorney explains the risks posed by poor cargo loading practices.
Poor Weight Distribution Can Destabilize a Tractor Trailer
Cargo weight must be distributed with the tractor trailer’s center of gravity, axle loading, and overall stability in mind. A load that is concentrated too far forward can place excessive weight on the tractor’s drive axles, while a load positioned too far rearward can overload trailer axles and reduce weight over the tractor. Excessive weight on one side of the trailer can also create a lateral imbalance. These problems can affect steering response, braking performance, and rollover resistance. A high center of gravity is particularly dangerous during curves and lane changes because lateral forces can cause the trailer to roll before the tractor loses traction.
Cargo Must Be Secured Against Movement During Transit
Even a properly distributed load can become dangerous if it shifts after the truck starts to move. Under 49 C.F.R. § 393.100, the truck’s cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured so that shifting does not adversely affect the vehicle’s stability or maneuverability. Federal regulations permit the use of tiedowns, blocking, bracing, dunnage, shoring bars, and other securement systems. The required securement strength accounts for substantial forces generated during normal transportation. Notably, federal regulations hold that securement systems are subject to performance criteria that include 0.8 g forward deceleration and 0.5 g acceleration laterally.
Tiedowns, Blocking, and Anchor Points Have Technical Requirements
Cargo securement is only as effective as its weakest component. Federal rules require tiedowns, anchor points, vehicle structures, blocking, and related components used for securement to be strong enough for their intended purpose and free from damage that would compromise performance. Tiedowns must also be attached so they cannot loosen or release during transit. A trucker or trucking company that does not follow these requirements may potentially be legally liable for a crash.
Proper Loading Requires Inspection After the Truck Starts Moving
Cargo securement is not merely a pre-trip concern. Under 49 C.F.R. § 392.9, a truck driver generally must inspect the cargo and its securement devices within the first 50 miles of a trip and make necessary adjustments. Cargo must then be reexamined when the driver’s duty status changes or after three hours or 150 miles of driving, whichever occurs first, subject to specified exceptions for sealed or otherwise impracticable-to-inspect loads. These inspections matter because cargo can settle, tiedowns can lose tension, and blocking can move as a trailer accelerates, brakes, and encounters roadway vibration.
Call Our West Palm Beach Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach semi-truck accident attorney fights tirelessly for justice for injured victims. If you or your loved one was involved in an eighteen wheeler crash involving an improperly loaded trailer, we can help. Call us today for a free case review. Our firm fights for justice for truck accident victims throughout South Florida.
