Every piece of cargo on a commercial truck needs to be properly secured before the vehicle hits the road. When cargo isn’t loaded correctly, it can shift during transit or potentially even fall off the truck entirely. Either scenario can cause a serious truck accident that leaves other drivers with life-changing injuries.
Federal regulations spell out exactly how cargo should be secured on commercial vehicles, and violations of these rules could be helpful evidence to support your Nashville truck accident lawsuit if you’ve been involved in a crash. Learn more about how unsecured load accidents happen below, including what your legal options might look like if you’ve been injured in one.
Federal Cargo Securement Standards
The FMCSA has detailed cargo securement rules that apply to all commercial motor vehicles operating on public roads. These rules cover everything from the type of tie-downs that must be used to how much weight each tie-down needs to be able to handle. A few key requirements include:
- Cargo must be firmly secured using the right combination of tie-downs, blocking, or bracing based on the type of freight being hauled
- Tie-downs must be free of visible damage and must be strong enough to hold the cargo’s weight, even during sudden stops or turns
- Drivers are required to inspect their cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and again every 150 miles or every three hours after that
- Certain types of cargo, like heavy machinery or lumber, have their own additional securement rules on top of the general standards
These aren’t optional guidelines; trucking companies and drivers who fail to follow them are violating federal law.
Common Types of Unsecured Load Truck Accidents in Tennessee
Unsecured cargo creates different dangers depending on what happens and where. On busy interstates like I-40, loose freight that spills onto the road can force drivers to swerve without warning. At highway speeds, a split-second reaction like that can send a car into oncoming traffic.
Cargo that shifts inside a trailer presents a less obvious but equally serious threat. If the weight inside the truck moves to one side during a turn, the entire vehicle can tip over. Rollover accidents involving fully loaded trucks are among the most devastating crashes on the road, and they can block multiple lanes of traffic and cause chain-reaction collisions.
Flatbed trucks carrying construction materials or industrial equipment are prone to these kinds of incidents. Loads that aren’t properly chained or strapped down can slide off the back of the truck with little to no warning, giving nearby drivers almost no time to react.
Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer for Legal Help
If you were involved in an accident caused by an unsecured load on a Tennessee highway, you may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries. Woodard Injury Law can help you figure out who is at fault and fight to recover every dollar you’re owed under the law.
Contact us today at (615) 314-4626 to get started with a free consultation. We’re confident we can help you make the most of your opportunity to take legal action.