Big rigs deliver essential cargo to locations throughout Indiana. Of course, any cargo that falls off or out of a truck won’t reach the destination. Delivery losses aren’t the only problems a truck driver or trucking company might face when deliveries turn hazardous. People hurt by improper cargo loading may take legal action to recover their losses.
Cargo loads and trucking safety
If cargo is not secured properly, the results might be fatal. Anything falling off the truck could hit a pedestrian or another vehicle. The impact may result in a tragic death, and a subsequent investigation might show the incident was purely unavoidable.
Cargo does not need to outright fall off the truck to cause harm. Poorly secured cargo may move around, undermining the safe operation of the truck. The same may happen when loads lack even distribution.
Even the safest truck driver might have a hard time handling a massive vehicle when the cargo moves around. The driver may not know a crew loaded the truck improperly, and the problem could reveal itself when the vehicle hits high speeds on a treacherous road.
Negligence and improper cargo loading
How drivers react to the cargo problems may factor into whether truck accidents occur. A driver who notices a problem but continues to travel on the route may put others at risk. If people get hurt, the driver might face a liability claim.
Other parties may be wholly or partially responsible for cargo-related problems. The loading crew that did a poor job may not expect the consequences. The same could be the case for a trucking company that does not establish policies to ensure safety.