Articles Posted in Big Rig Accident

All Sacramento Big Rig Drivers Are Required to Follow Load Securement Requirements

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Big Rig Accident Lawyer. While big rigs for the most part look fairly uniform, they are capable of carrying a variety of items. Each truck has its own unique system for how to load and unload freight, how to store it while en route to its final destination, how to organize it, and any other special considerations necessary, such as refrigeration. When a business contracts with a truck driving company to have goods delivered, it wants these goods delivered in the same exact condition they were in when they were received by the truck driver initially. Therefore, the trucking industry follows a variety of different procedures for securing loads to protect the cargo.

Securing Loads Can Save Lives

However, there is another crucial reason for securing cargo. Improperly secured loads can be dangerous to other drivers on the road. Flat bed trucks with open air tractors often rely on bungee cords, ropes, cables, and ties to secure loose items, while regular 18-wheelers have enclosed tractor trailers. However, both types of trucks run the risk of injuring other drivers during an accident or even causing the accident itself.

Improperly secured loads may occur when:

• Loose cargo is not securely fastened to an open air truck with adequate ties
• An 18 wheeler’s doors are not properly shut and locked, allowing loose cargo to fly out of the trailer
• The truck is overloaded
• The freight on an open air truck is not properly positioned, causing clearance issues for other cars, tunnels, bridges, overpasses, and more

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