How Cargo Tank Rollovers Happen and What You Need to Know

When you overturn a large truck carrying cargo, it can roll over very easily. This makes it risky for you, the trucker, any truckers driving around you, and the environment.

You need to know why it’s happening before you do what you have to do to keep it from happening. That’s why we are going to be talking about why cargo tanks roll over and what everyone involved is going to do to keep it from landing to safety in this report.

A cargo tank rollover can cause a massive mess. But if we know why it’s occurring and what we can do to help the ones that happen, we can keep them from occurring at all.

We need to know why these rollovers occur and what we can do to stop them. Here, we will be discussing some causes of rollovers and what steps you should follow to avoid them altogether. If you were recently involved in an accident due to a truck rollover, then you should contact a reputable 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer in San Antonio. 

What Are Some Causes Behind Cargo Truck Rollovers? 

Speed and Sharp Turns: 

Cargo tanks are more prone to overturn due to speeding and hard turns. When cargo tanks are driven too fast, the cargo tank becomes unsteady, especially when the truck is approaching some curve. 

Imagine yourself driving a car around a corner very fast; you tend to lose control of the car as if the car is attracted to one side. 

The same goes for trucks, but the process is much in the context.  When a truck is driven fast around a curve, the force that pushes it to move outward is more significant than the force that holds the truck on the road. 

The outward movement is due to the higher speed of the truck. It is the centrifugal force pushing the truck and trying to tip over.

Improper loading: 

When the cargo is not loaded properly in the truck, the truck can lose its balance. For instance, it’s just like trying to balance a few books on your hands. If the books are not stacked evenly on the hand, then it will not let you balance the books properly and may fall down. 

It is the same with the cargo loaded inside a truck. If the cargo weight is not spread evenly or if there is too much weight on one side, then the truck may lose balance. 

Have you ever heard of the center of gravity? It’s the average place where the weight of an object seems to act, which would be right in the middle of it. However, due to improper loading, the center of gravity will not be in the center, and it can cause the truck to roll over. 

Harsh Weather: 

When you are driving down the road on a rainy or icy day, the road isn’t going to have as good of a grip on your truck no matter how hard you try to keep a hold of it. 

Terrible weather conditions can make driving a cargo truck even harder. Snow and heavy wind can affect the truck’s ability to stay up. This is more serious for cargo trucks as they are bigger and heavier than most vehicles, so they will need more time and distance to stop properly. 

Mechanical Failure: 

When you are driving down the lane, you apply your brakes, and nothing happens. Or better yet, you blow a tire. These are direct mechanical issues to look for to recognize if your tank isn’t going to stay in an upright position for anything long.

Precautions and Safety Measures To Follow For Avoiding Truck Rollovers

Proper Training of Drivers 

Drivers who drive cargo trucks should be trained on how to operate the vehicle properly. 

The training should include how to drive defensively on roads. Training programs will also include how to properly secure the load on the truck and how to drive the vehicle on specific road or weather conditions. 

Providing proper knowledge to the drivers will minimize the chances of truck rollovers.

Regular Maintenace of Trucks 

The company fleet manager should schedule regular maintenance of the cargo tank trucks. 

Managers should inspect the vehicle for any mechanical issues that can destabilize it, such as worn-out brakes, suspension components, and tires. 

Fixing these issues will ensure the safety of the driver as well as the other vehicles on the road.

Correct Loading of Cargo 

It is very important to load the cargo tank truck accurately and secure it properly to prevent accidents like rollovers. 

The driver should follow the method described by the manufacturers regarding weight distribution and securement to prevent the load from shifting during transit. 

They should also take a break after a couple of hours of driving to check if the load has remained secure after driving.

Driver Should Regularly Check Weather Forecast 

The driver should check the weather forecast of the road they will drive on. They must reduce speed and keep more following distances when facing adverse weather conditions to handle the truck safely, which gives them enough time to react and stop the truck.