Residents of Arizona are used to seeing commercial trucks trek across their roads. Most of the time, these travels are uneventful, but sometimes, truck accidents occur. Some of those incidents happen because of improperly loaded cargo. This is how that situation poses a danger to everyone on the road.
Overweight cargo
If the cargo secured on a commercial truck is too heavy, it can cause truck accidents. When the truck is weighed down, it can lead to a rollover accident. This is a deadly situation for the truck driver and anyone in the area at the time. A rollover can even lead to a truck tipping over and falling onto a smaller vehicle, crushing the occupants.
Another type of truck accident that can happen with overweight cargo is a jackknife. This happens when the truck’s cab and the trailer end up at a 90-degree angle. When the trailer doesn’t turn with the rest of the truck, it can cause severe accidents and casualties.
Improperly loaded cargo
When cargo is improperly loaded onto a truck, it can create a dangerous situation by coming loose and spilling out on the road. Whether it falls onto the road or nearby vehicles, this type of accident can be deadly. Cargo can contain large, heavy objects like lumber or even hazardous chemicals. An accident can occur when drivers swerve to avoid obstacles from fallen cargo or when they make contact with them.
Improperly secured cargo
Cargo that is improperly secured can also lead to a truck accident. It can cause the truck’s weight to be off as it shifts around. This could lead to the trucker having trouble controlling the truck’s steering or braking and result in an accident.
Trucking companies must ensure that cargo is always properly secured on a truck. If an accident occurs, the company or another party may be liable.