Truck accidents occur in Mississippi in a wide variety of scenarios, and the driver is not always the party who is liable. They must rely on the shipment contractor to load the cargo properly, and many times the load is already prepared before they arrive for pickup. This leaves little time for an initial inspection by the driver. There are effectively three types of improper loading situations when this happens that can result in an accident where the shipper could be liable.
Shifted loads
Most accidents that occur due to load shifting are the result of poor anchoring by the loading crew. Depending on the type of cargo, anchor ratchets or chain security can work loose while in transit, often causing motor vehicle accidents. This could also be a portion of the driver’s liability assessment as well, but it is typically the fault of the shipping company.
Unbalanced loads
Many accidents occur due to unbalanced loads in a trailer that a driver could not inspect before departure. All loading pallets are not uniform in size, and sometimes loading crews do not balance the load properly in the front of the container. This can be problematic when a big rig is negotiating a curve at a high rate of speed, often causing a truck accident.
Trailer overloads
Total weight can be a dangerous situation as well on both enclosed trailers and flatbeds. The actual weight of the cargo can be deceptive depending on what is being hauled, and overweight trucks can have difficulty stopping in a short distance when being overloaded.
Shippers can be held liable for accidents when it can be proven that they did not properly load any cargo according to OSHA safety standards or when they have failed to load a trailer in a professional manner. However, these cases can be complicated and strongly defended, and a thorough investigation is often necessary for a successful outcome.
If you have been injured as a result of a truck accident, you should consult with an experienced attorney who handles these specific types of cases.