Overloaded Cargo Accidents

Overloaded Cargo Can Put Profits Before Safety

To save time and money, some trucking companies overload their cargo trailers or don’t take the necessary time to properly and safely secure loads. This is dangerous because it increases the likelihood of truck accidents for everyone on the road.  With more, heavier cargo, trailers can tip easier during sharp turns, sudden stops, or windy conditions. Improper or overloading also shifts a truck’s center of gravity, which can cause it to sway, fishtail, or jackknife more easily which jeopardizes the safety of all motorists.  

In fact:

• Overloaded trucks can require up to 20% more stopping distance, increasing crash risk.
• Cargo-related violations are among the most common trucking safety citations nationwide.
• Federal law requires trucking companies to maintain weight tickets and load documentation, but these records can be altered or destroyed if not secured quickly.
• Victims represented by experienced trucking attorneys recover significantly higher settlements than those who go it alone.
• Overloaded trailers increase truck stopping distance which makes it harder for the driver to stop in an emergency
• Overloaded trailers increase jackknifing and tipping when a truck stops or changes lanes.
• Excess weight on an overloaded trailer can cause the tires to blow, which can cause the truck to lose control
• Improperly secured cargo can shift while in transit which can cause the cargo to fall off the truck or the truck to tip over or lost control, which can endanger everyone on the road.

At Rundio Injury Law, we hold negligent trucking companies and cargo loaders accountable when overloaded or improperly secured cargo leads to serious accidents, injuries, or wrongful deaths.

What Are Federal Cargo Securement Regulations?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict rules for cargo weight, balance, and securement to prevent accidents, including:

• Wheeled or Tracked Vehicles: Over 10,000 pounds require direct anchor tie-downs and tightening devices. 
• Articles Over 10,000 pounds: Require tie-downs at all four corners.
• Specialized Cargo: Some articles, like large beams or crane booms, require special securement methods.
• Cargo securing systems must be capable of withstanding forces from forward (0.8 g deceleration), rearward (0.5 g acceleration), and lateral (0.5 g acceleration) movement. 
• Drivers must perform regular inspections of the cargo and securement devices at specific intervals (e.g., every 150 miles or every 3 hours).

When trucking companies or cargo loaders cut corners to save time, they violate these regulations and endanger everyone on the road.

Preserving Critical Evidence

Evidence of overloading or unsafe loading can be lost quickly after an accident. Rundio Injury Law acts fast to secure:

• Shipping records and weight tickets showing load details and weight.
• Bill of lading and cargo manifests documenting freight.
• Driver logs and dispatch records revealing schedule pressures.
• Electronic Control Module (ECM) or black box data.
• Photographs or video of the accident scene and spilled cargo.

Our team works with accident reconstruction specialists and cargo experts to prove negligence and identify every liable party, including trucking companies, shippers, and freight handlers.

What Injuries Occur in Overloaded Cargo Accidents?

The size and force of overloaded trucks often lead to catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common injuries are:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Severe fractures and crush injuries
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Fatal injuries leading to wrongful death claims

What To Do After an Overloaded Cargo Crash?

It can be very difficult to think straight after a truck accident, we get that. Even if you suspect that overloaded cargo played a role there is one thing you need to remember. Safety comes first. If necessary, call 911.

1. Take photographs and video of the accident scene and any spilled cargo.
2. Collect contact details for drivers, witnesses, and trucking company representatives.
3. Contact Rundio Injury Law immediately so we can preserve weight records, black box data, and cargo manifests before they disappear or are destroyed.

Rundio Injury Law Protects The Victims of Overloaded Cargo Accidents

Overloaded cargo accidents are preventable. Trucking companies and shippers that prioritize profits over public safety must be held accountable. At Rundio Injury Law, we have the experience and resources to discover violations, preserve critical evidence, and fight to maximize your compensation.