Truck accidents can be some of the most devastating accidents in Washington, DC and throughout the country. When a large tractor-trailer gets out of control and collides with smaller passenger vehicles, there are often deaths involved. Many people don't know how important proper truck loading is to preventing truck accidents.

Poorly loaded trailers can cause accidents

When a tractor-trailer is loaded in an unbalanced way, the truck driver may have less control over their steering and braking. Some types of improper loading can make it so difficult for truckers to navigate turns that rollover motor vehicle accidents occur. Overly heavy loads can also put more stress on truck components like tires and suspension.

Types of improper truck loading

There are many things that can go wrong while a commercial truck is being loaded with cargo. Placing most of the weight unevenly towards the front or the back of the trailer can create an unbalanced load. A load that is not properly secured may shift around during the drive. Weighting a trailer down with too heavy of a load is also extremely dangerous. Open decks can also be dangerous when cargo is not properly secured.

Who is liable for accidents caused by improper loading?

Some truck drivers load and unload their own trucks and some don't. If a truck accident was a direct result of an unbalanced load, the company that was responsible for loading the truck may be liable. There are many truck accidents where an unbalanced load was just one of several factors that created a dangerous situation. In those cases, the truck loader may hold partial liability for the victims' injuries.