Truck accidents in Georgia often involve more than just driver error. Sometimes, the method of loading cargo onto the truck plays a major role.
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transport, causing the driver to lose control. This can lead to jackknife accidents, rollovers or dangerous spills that put everyone on the road at risk.
Why you should consider cargo loading errors
When a truck accident happens, it is important to figure out what caused the crash. If cargo is not properly balanced, secured or loaded within weight limits, it can create a serious hazard. For example, unbalanced loads can affect how a truck turns or stops. Overloaded trailers can increase stopping distances or even cause brake failure. Cargo that falls off a trailer can hit nearby vehicles or force them to swerve.
Georgia law allows injured people to recover damages if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. That includes situations where the trucking company, cargo loaders or maintenance crews failed to follow safety rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require trucks to meet specific cargo loading standards. These rules apply in Georgia and set the groundwork for determining fault.
How to prove improperly loaded cargo caused your accident
The trucking company may try to shift blame to someone else, like the person or business that loaded the cargo. That is why documenting the scene and gathering information right after the crash can help show what went wrong. Weigh station records, cargo manifests and inspection logs may all provide clues.
In Georgia, the injured person must prove who was at fault and how that fault caused the injury. If the accident happened because of shifting or fallen cargo, the person or company responsible for loading the truck could be liable. Sometimes, multiple parties share responsibility. Georgia’s modified comparative fault rule means that a person can still recover damages if they were less than 50 percent at fault.
Improperly loaded cargo is a hidden danger that many people do not think about. But when it causes an accident, the people affected deserve answers. Finding out who caused the cargo problem is a key step toward recovering medical costs, lost income and other damages.