A fully loaded semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds. Every bit of that weight needs to be exactly where it’s supposed to be, secured exactly how it’s supposed to be secured. When it’s not, physics takes over—and physics doesn’t care about deadlines, profit margins, or excuses.
According to industry research, improper cargo securement is a contributing factor in roughly 30 percent of commercial vehicle accidents. That’s thousands of crashes every year that could have been prevented if someone had taken the time to properly load and secure freight before the truck left the dock.
The problem is that cargo loading often happens under pressure. Warehouse workers rush to meet shipping schedules. Drivers feel pushed to get on the road. Trucking companies prioritize speed over safety. Below, our friends at Warner & Fitzmartin – Personal Injury Lawyers explain how improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck accident.
What Federal Law Requires
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations under 49 CFR Part 393 spell out exactly how freight must be loaded and secured.
Cargo must be contained, immobilized, or secured to prevent shifting, leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling from the vehicle. The securement system has to withstand specific forces—0.8 times the cargo weight forward, 0.5 times backward, and 0.5 times laterally.
Those numbers represent the forces a truck experiences during hard braking, acceleration, and cornering. The regulations also include detailed requirements for specific types of cargo—logs, steel coils, concrete pipe, automobiles, heavy machinery.
But compliance with regulations doesn’t guarantee the cargo stays put if it wasn’t loaded correctly in the first place. The best tie-down system in the world can’t fix an unbalanced load.
The Center Of Gravity Problem
Every truck has a center of gravity—the point where its weight is balanced. When cargo is loaded evenly, that center of gravity stays low and centered. The truck handles predictably.
When cargo is loaded unevenly, everything changes. Weight concentrated on one side raises the center of gravity and shifts it laterally. The truck becomes top-heavy and prone to tipping during turns or lane changes.
Weight loaded too far forward or backward affects how the truck accelerates and brakes. Too much weight over the rear axles can cause the steering axle to lift, making the truck nearly impossible to steer. Too much weight forward overloads the front axle and extends stopping distances.
When Cargo Shifts
Even properly loaded cargo can become dangerous if it’s not secured correctly. Movement during transport changes weight distribution and creates momentum that amplifies every steering input and brake application.
Steel coils are particularly notorious. A single coil can weigh 20,000 pounds or more. If the straps fail, that coil becomes a projectile inside the trailer. When the driver brakes, the coil keeps moving forward. When the truck turns, the coil shifts sideways.
The result is often catastrophic. The coil can punch through the trailer’s front wall and into the cab. Or it can shift laterally, tipping the entire truck over. Other vehicles have no warning until tons of steel are sliding across the highway.
Loss Of Control
A truck accident lawyer knows that improper cargo loading is a major contributor to loss-of-control accidents, where the trailer swings out at a sharp angle from the cab or the truck tips onto its side.
When cargo weight is distributed incorrectly, it affects how the trailer responds to braking. If too much weight is toward the rear, the trailer’s momentum can overpower the cab during sudden stops. An unbalanced load makes the trailer unstable during turns.
Top-heavy or unevenly loaded trucks have higher centers of gravity, making them vulnerable to rollovers. Taking a highway exit ramp at the posted speed can tip over a truck with weight stacked too high or concentrated on one side.
Liquid cargo in partially filled tanks creates a sloshing effect that dramatically increases rollover risk. As the truck turns, the liquid shifts to the outside of the turn, raising the center of gravity at exactly the wrong moment.
Who’s Responsible
Multiple parties touch cargo before a truck hits the road. Warehouse workers or dock personnel actually load the freight. The driver is supposed to inspect the load and confirm proper securement before driving. The trucking company has overall responsibility for ensuring its vehicles are loaded safely.
The shipper who owns the cargo sometimes dictates how it must be loaded. Third-party logistics companies may specify loading requirements. Equipment manufacturers are responsible if tie-down devices fail due to defects.
Federal regulations require drivers to inspect cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and then periodically throughout. If cargo has shifted or tie-downs have loosened, the driver must stop and fix the problem.
The Evidence Trail
Investigating cargo-related crashes requires reconstructing how the truck was loaded. Cargo manifests show what freight was on board and what it weighed. Photos of the crash scene show where cargo ended up and whether tie-downs failed.
The truck’s weight distribution can be calculated from axle weight records taken at weigh stations before the crash. Electronic logging devices show whether the driver stopped to inspect and adjust cargo securement as required.
The Bottom Line
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations under 49 CFR Part 393 require cargo to be secured to withstand forces of 0.8 times the cargo weight forward, 0.5 times backward, and 0.5 times laterally, with industry research indicating improper cargo securement contributes to roughly 30 percent of commercial vehicle accidents. Improperly balanced loads shift a truck’s center of gravity, increasing loss-of-control and rollover risks, while unsecured cargo can break loose during braking or turning. Liability can extend to warehouse loaders, drivers who failed to inspect securement, trucking companies that pressured workers to rush, and shippers who provided improper loading instructions. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident involving shifting cargo or unsecured loads, consider consulting with a qualified attorney who can investigate loading documentation, weigh station records, and cargo manifests.