Flatbed Truck Accidents
When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety and their negligence destroys lives, we make them pay.
Any truck crash has the potential to cause severe or even fatal injuries. This risk is heightened with flatbed trucks, because their cargo is uncovered, may slide off the trailer, and is usually very heavy.
If you are one of the many people who have been seriously injured in a flatbed truck accident, contact our firm, The Law Firm for Truck Safety, today to explore your legal options. Our personal injury firm is devoted exclusively to helping people and families affected by truck wrecks. Our dedicated attorneys have the knowledge and skills needed to help you fight for justice and hold all wrongdoers accountable.
The Dangers of Flatbed Trucks
Flatbed trucks are a type of commercial vehicle designed to haul loads that are too big to fit in the trailer of a semi-truck or too difficult to load into a conventional trailer. They may haul cranes, logs, construction materials, steel coils, and other similar cargo. Cargo beds are sometimes set very low for greater ease in the loading and unloading process, and the sides and roof are open, so the cargo must be securely fastened.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes regulations for flatbed shippers, including special driver training for proper load securement, which includes how loads must be tied down, how often drivers should check their load while the truck is in transit, and more.
The irregular size and shape of a flatbed load may impact the truck’s steering and braking. The potential for rollover and jackknife accidents is increased because shifting during transport can throw the load out of balance. Several of our attorneys hold Class "A" commercial driver licenses (CDLs) and have first-hand experience with what comes along with hauling on a flatbed truck. Our firm's CDL and legal expertise help us find evidence often missed by other firms that can help prove the truck driver or company failed to ensure the safety of their flatbed truck.
Holding Responsible Parties Accountable
When you file a truck accident claim seeking compensation, your legal team is responsible for proving that another party was liable for causing your injuries. In truck accident lawsuits, one of the ways you can prove responsibility is by showing that the truck driver or trucking company was negligent in ensuring their vehicle, drivers, equipment, etc. was safe and ready for transport.
In many flatbed truck accidents, negligence is obvious. If part of the load falls off the truck and causes injury, the driver and the company that employed them may be negligent for not properly tying down the cargo. The company that loaded the truck may also be liable.
Load securement and cargo issues are common causes of flatbed crashes, but it is not the only cause. As with any type of eighteen-wheeler, driver distraction, driver impairment, speeding or poorly maintained equipment can also play a role. Regardless of the cause or crash details, our truck accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation to determine what factors played a role in your flatbed truck crash and help you hold all wrongdoers accountable.
Flatbed Crash Injuries
For those involved in flatbed truck crashes, the incident may lead to permanent, disabling injuries. Compared to other types of commercial truck crashes, flatbed truck crashes can be especially devastating due to the cargo they carry, which can come loose and crush cars and smaller trucks.
If a flatbed truck driver's negligence caused your injuries or took a loved one from you, the truck driver, owner, and several other parties involved in the supply chain may owe you compensation for your losses. When our lawyers file a claim on your behalf, we commonly seek compensation for past and future medical care, lost income, funeral expenses, rehabilitation, and more. In addition to the physical harm caused, we will also seek compensation for the impact on your quality of life, which may involve the emotional and mental pain you experience, psychological injuries, the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, and changes in your family relationships.
We will work with you and your family to understand the extent of your losses and ensure that the responsible parties pay for them. Our attorneys will manage all communication about your accident with the flatbed truck company and its insurers, as well as any other responsible parties. We can also speak with your employer, healthcare providers, and creditors to ease any financial difficulties you experience while you recover from your injuries.
Consult an Attorney About Your Flatbed Truck Crash
Flatbed shipping is essential for many industries, but the presence of loaded flatbed trucks on the road presents a serious hazard to other drivers. Unfortunately, any mistake made during the flatbed shipping process may lead to an otherwise preventable truck crash.
At the Law Firm for Truck Safety, we seek justice for people who have suffered severe injuries or lost loved ones in flatbed truck accidents. If you or a loved one were harmed or killed in a crash with a flatbed truck, contact our lawyers today to discuss your legal options.
