The Nuts and Bolts of Cargo Loading and Securement Cases

Seven percent of serious trucking accidents nationwide are reported to have been caused, at least in part, by cargo shifting or cargo securement issues. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Large Truck Crash Causation Study.

Improper or unsafe loading and/or securing of cargo can lead to devastating consequences due to load shifting. Load shifting can cause the driver to lose control of the truck or cause a load to fall off the trailer during transport or unloading, potentially leading to serious danger to the motoring public and anyone involved in the unloading process. Behind most cargo loading and/ or securement cases, many factors can be at play complicating who may be at fault.

The simple rule in every cargo loading and/or securement case is the requirement that all cargo must be loaded, secured, and/or covered in such a manner that it will not shift, tip, fall, tear, or become damaged.