To prevent accidents caused by heavy loads, trucks traveling through Georgia must adhere to certain weight limits. Did you know that the placement of cargo in a truck could be just as important as how much that cargo weighs? When trucks become unbalanced, they are more difficult to drive and more likely to get into an accident. Here are three of the most common ways that large trucks can become unbalanced.
No. 1: Poor organization
When cargo is placed into the back of a truck, it must be organized in a balanced way. Because trucks can carry thousands of pounds of cargo, uneven distribution of cargo can change a truck’s center of gravity. Poor organization of cargo or stacking cargo too high can lead to rollovers. Truckers will also have more difficulty steering and braking when cargo is poorly organized.
No. 2: Weight issues
It’s important to equally distribute weight when placing cargo into the back of a truck. Too much weight near the front of the trailer could cause problems braking on steep hills. Too little weight can also cause balance issues when a trucker is trying to steer the vehicle.
No. 3: Unsecured cargo
Cargo that is not secured can cause huge problems for truck drivers. As the trucker drives, unsecured cargo could easily slide and shift out of place, creating an unbalanced load. Cargo should be secured with tie-down devices, inspected before a trip and then checked at intervals throughout the trip.
Driving an unbalanced truck could be negligence
A trucking company could be held liable in a personal injury claim for an accident caused by an unbalanced truck. If a trucking company never properly trained its drivers on balancing and securing cargo, the trucking company may be at fault for rollovers, steering problems and braking issues.