It is a danger to others when cargo falls off a truck on the highway. Sometimes it is impossible for vehicles to maneuver around it, thereby resulting in an accident. This is why the North American Cargo Securement Standard requires truckers to secure their cargo before traveling on the highway. The objective of this regulation is to prevent accidents involving cargo spills, leaks, and falls.
Securing Cargo Properly
For safe transportation, it is necessary to distribute the weight of cargo equally and to secure it with the proper equipment. This ensures that the cargo will not shift or fall. The Standard recommends securing cargo with a variety of devices, including steel strapping, shackles, and binders. The securement system must be appropriate for the size and weight of the cargo, and it must be able to withstand a certain amount of forward, rearward, sideways, and upward force.
What Happens when Cargo is Secured Improperly
If the securement system is inappropriate for the cargo, or the weight of the cargo is not properly distributed, it is possible for the cargo to slip off the truck and cause a wreck. Truck wrecks can result in serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury or injury to the spinal cord, and some wrecks even cause injuries that lead to amputations. If you or a loved one have sustained an injury in a Texas truck wreck, a Houston truck accident attorney at Denena & Points may be able to help.