Unstable and Excessive Loads & Trucks Accidents

Most drivers have had the experience of driving behind a truck that has an unstable or excessive load. Sometimes these are smaller trucks that individuals rent out to move furniture and other household goods. Too often they are large commercial trucks where the load was not properly secured or the load is excessive. Either of these problems can cause serious and fatal accidents.

Truck drivers by law are required to make sure their loads are safe. There are federal regulations that restrict the total weight of a truck’s load. This is the reason truck drivers are often required to pull into weigh stations along the highway, to make sure the load is within the weight limits.

Truck drivers are also required to make sure their loads are secure. They must make sure that the contents of their trucks does not shift or fall off the back of the trailer. They must be sure the load is evenly distributed to prevent rollovers. Neglecting any of these will make the truck driver liable in the event of an accident.

Unstable loads cause accidents in a variety of ways. If a truck has an open bed that is overloaded items can fall off the truck, especially at high speeds. These items can hit the vehicles following the truck. They can also fall into the roadway becoming a hazard for all drivers that come after the truck. Any truck that carries loads should have them covered to avoid items flying off the truck and injuring others on the highways.

Unstable loads can also shift and cause accidents. In a closed trailer a shifting load makes the whole truck unstable. The driver may lose control of the truck as the shifting load inside pushes the trailer from side to side. The danger increases at high speeds, making it harder for the driver to retain control over the truck. In some cases shifting loads can cause the truck to roll over, endangering the driver and anyone in the truck’s way.

Shifting loads are also a problem with open trailers. Loads on open trailers can shift so badly that they fall off the truck and into the road. This can cause a very dangerous situation for every other driver on the road. It can also make the truck an unpredictable vehicle that the driver can no longer control. They are unable to keep the vehicle from plowing into any other vehicles on the road.

When an accident due to an unstable or excessive load occurs, there are several parties who may share liability. The driver and the trucking company may be liable if they allowed their vehicle to fall into disrepair or if they did not secure the load. They are also liable if they knowingly drove with an excessive load. If another party loaded the truck or secured the load, they may also be liable. Because loads can be deadly, it is up to all parties involved to follow all rule and regulations to ensure their truckloads are safe.

This article is not legal advice.

Additional Legal Research Tools: If you have been involved in a truck accident due to an unsafe truckload or other truck driver negligence visit TruckAccidentLaw.org