Flatbed Truck Accidents Are Complicated

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From rear-end collisions to vehicle rollovers, any type of truck accident has the potential for devastating consequences. A flatbed truck crash can present its own set of unique hazards, as there can be the additional dangers of falling cargo. If you were injured in an accident caused by negligence, it’s important to have experienced legal representation.

At Fried Goldberg LLC, we understand the impact that injuries from a flatbed truck crash can have on victims and their families. Our experienced truck accident lawyers are dedicated to holding negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable and fight to recover the compensation our clients deserve.

Our flatbed truck accident attorneys are ready to help

Flatbed trucks carry cargo, but don’t have walls or sides where that cargo is placed. They are known for moving items that cannot fit into closed-in trailers (e.g., cranes, building materials and machinery). Flatbeds can either be mounted permanently to the frame of the truck, or be pulled, meaning that the truck is connected to a detachable trailer. There are two different styles of detachable flatbeds: standard and lowboy style.

Detachable flatbed trailers can haul wide ranges of material. Standard detachable flatbeds are often used for items like logs, machinery and building materials. Lowboys are for moving construction vehicles, such as track loaders, cranes and heavier types of machinery.

Types of flatbed truck crashes

Due to their ability to carry more weight than enclosed tractor trailers, flatbed truck accidents can be more serious than other commercial trucking accidents. Because flatbed trucks can carry so much cargo, it is necessary for the driver or trucking company to not only spend additional time ensuring items are properly loaded and strapped down but also to make periodic stops over the course of a trip to re-check the security of the transported material.

When a load is either unbalanced or not appropriately tied down, a wreck is more prone to happen, often in the form of:

Jackknifing
Rollovers
Brake failure
Steering failure
Driver negligence

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the loading and transporting of all materials on flatbed trucks. But it is still common to see these trucks on freeways, moving with pieces of materials and tools that have been just tossed onto the bed. Drivers who get behind the wheel of a flatbed truck are required to have extensive training, yet this does not always happen. Some of the most common causes of flatbed truck accidents are truck driver negligence and lack of experience.

Types of flatbed truck accidents

A flatbed truck wreck can affect anyone who is in the commercial vehicle’s vicinity.

The severity of a flatbed crash is often directly related to its cargo. For example, because of their size and weight, steel beams and logs that come loose can become deadly projectiles. Though truckers are required to make frequent stops to check the security of their cargo, and strict requirements for securing that cargo are in place, mistakes still happen.

Unfortunately, these mistakes can lead to tragedy, and mostly for cars and other vehicles involved. If a flatbed truck and smaller car collide, it is more likely that the car will end up under the truck, because of the difference in the vehicles’ heights. In other situations, flatbed trucks can overturn onto automobiles, smashing them.

Commercial truck crashes are often traumatic and lead to critical injuries. If you or a loved one have been injured by a flatbed truck, contact our firm and learn more about why you should consider hiring an experienced truck attorney when going up against the trucking industry.

Causes of flatbed truck accidents

There are many potential causes of flatbed truck wrecks:

Speeding and not obeying traffic safety laws, including texting while driving or otherwise distracted by in-cab equipment
The trucking company didn’t properly screen and test drivers before hiring, resulting in an unqualified hire behind the wheel of a +10,000-lb vehicle
The driver or other responsible parties failed to safely and adequately secure the cargo
The driver or trucking company bypassed a required and routine maintenance check on the truck, such as brakes, tires, or adequate lighting for severe weather conditions
The driver of the truck was under the influence of alcohol or prescription drugs or a controlled substance.

These common causes of a flatbed truck crash all center around a driver or the operator’s negligent actions, which is not taken lightly by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. For example, the trucking company could be sued for not ensuring trucks are road-worthy (i.e., failing to replace worn tires, brakes, etc.) or hiring unqualified drivers at a lower wage in order to keep costs low and increase profits.

Contact us for a no-cost, no obligation case review

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a flatbed trucking accident, talk to an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Our firm is dedicated to helping victims of truck crashes recover compensation and move on with their lives. From phone calls to medical records, we handle all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on what’s important: healing.