With the popularity of shows on the HGTV channel, many homeowners have decided to tackle repair and improvement projects. Doing so is easier than ever, as major stores dot the landscape across New Jersey. Still, if someone fails to secure cargo, your life may be in danger.
A recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study has some alarming findings. The organization’s report reveals that debris on U.S. roadways caused more than 200,000 automobile accidents, injuring nearly 40,000 drivers, passengers or pedestrians. Sadly, unsecured cargo contributed to the deaths of more than 500 individuals during the study’s five-year period.
Unsecured cargo
Whether they are professional drivers or regular ones, individuals must secure the cargo they haul. If someone fails to do so, the following scenarios are possible:
- Broken windshields
- Obstructed views
- Damaged tires or wheels
- Sudden swerving
Clearly, any of the above may contribute to a serious motor vehicle accident. Put simply, if a vehicle in front of yours loses cargo, you have an increased chance of sustaining a life-altering injury.
Unbalanced loads
With commercial vehicles, correctly balancing loads is critical. If a truck has an unbalanced load, its driver may lose control. The same is true if a commercial trucker carries too much weight. As such, if you have a collision with a tractor-trailer or another type of commercial vehicle, it is important to investigate whether the driver loaded and balanced the truck correctly.
Loose items
To stay safe behind the wheel, you must not only worry about the unsecured cargo and unbalanced loads of other drivers. On the contrary, you must also think about the items in your car, truck or SUV. If you have a collision, these can become projectiles. Regrettably, even a small item may cause you to suffer catastrophic injuries in certain car crashes.
Most motorists understand the danger of colliding with another vehicle. Still, unsecured loads can be equally dangerous. If road debris, unbalanced loads or loose items in your vehicle cause you to sustain an injury, you must work diligently both to recover completely and to pursue just compensation from whoever caused the accident.