Many hazards come with driving a semitruck. One major hazard that many people might not think about, however, is having a semi’s load suddenly shift.
The fact of the matter is that cargo shifting is one of the leading causes of big rig accidents. Some of these might not involve other vehicles, but it can be fatal when they do.
The only way that a cargo shift accident can be prevented is to properly secure the contents of the trailer from the start. No matter who puts the cargo on the truck and secures it, the trucker should double check everything before heading out. They should also take a look at it when they stop for any reason. There is no such thing as being too safe when it comes to this aspect of their job.
One thing that people must remember when they are securing cargo is that the truck is eventually going to be in motion. The cargo is usually the heaviest component of the rig, so it is imperative that it isn’t going to fling around when the truck is in motion.
It is unrealistic to think that semitrucks are only going to drive in a straight line, without bouncing or other sudden motions. Instead, anyone who is securing freight should assume that the trucker is going to hit rough patches of road and have to turn often. This can help them to ensure that they are strapping things down in a way that isn’t going to shift when the truck is in motion.
When another vehicle is struck because of a shifting load, the occupants might suffer serious injuries. They may choose to seek compensation from the liable entities.