How Do Flatbed Truck Accidents Occur?

Flatbed trucks are a common sight on our highways, distinguished by their long, flat, open trailer beds. Unlike enclosed trailers, flatbeds allow for the transport of oversized or irregularly shaped cargo that wouldn’t fit in a standard semi truck. From construction materials to heavy machinery, these versatile vehicles play a crucial role in various industries.

However, the open design that makes flatbeds so useful also presents unique safety challenges. Without walls or a roof to contain the load, cargo securement becomes critical. Even a small mistake in loading or securing items can have catastrophic consequences on the road.

If you’ve suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a flatbed truck accident someone else caused, you’re likely facing considerable hardships. You deserve justice and financial compensation for what you’ve endured. This can include medical bills, lost wages, and other damages related to the crash. 

One important question is how do flatbed truck accidents occur? The answer to this question is important not only to help keep you safe on the road but also to help your attorney determine who bears liability for your injuries and losses.

Read on to learn more about how flatbed truck accidents happen and how you can pursue a claim against those responsible. For specific advice and guidance about your case, contact an experienced New York truck accident attorney near you for a free consultation.

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New York Truck Accident Guide

• Common Causes of Flatbed Truck Accidents
• Flatbed Truck Accident Scenarios
• Prevention and Safety Measures to Avoid Flatbed Truck Crashes
• Legal Implications of Flatbed Truck Accidents
• Importance of Evidence Collection
• Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Today

Common Causes of Flatbed Truck Accidents

Flatbed truck accidents can occur due to a variety of factors, often involving a complex interplay of human error, equipment issues, and external conditions. Some of the most common causes include:

Improper Loading

One of the most significant risks associated with flatbed trucks is improper loading. Unlike enclosed trailers, flatbeds require meticulous attention to weight distribution and cargo placement. When loads are improperly balanced or exceed the truck’s weight capacity, it can lead to serious handling issues.

• Uneven weight distribution: When cargo isn’t balanced correctly across the trailer bed, it can affect the truck’s stability, making it more prone to tipping or rollovers.
• Overloading: Overloading can strain the truck’s braking system, making it harder to stop in time to avoid collisions. It also increases the risk of tire blowouts and mechanical failures. Additionally, an uneven distribution of weight can cause the truck to tip over during sharp turns or sudden maneuvers.
• Inadequate spacing: Proper loading isn’t just about weight, though. It’s also about arranging cargo in a way that minimizes shifting during transport. When heavy items aren’t spaced correctly, they can cause the trailer to become unstable, potentially leading to a horrific accident.

Inadequate Cargo Securement

Even if cargo is loaded correctly, insufficient securement can spell disaster. Common issues include:

• Using worn or damaged straps, chains, or tie-downs
• Not using enough securing points
• Failing to account for the unique properties of the cargo (e.g., items that may expand or contract during transit)
• Neglecting to re-check and adjust securement during long hauls

Cargo that isn’t properly secured can shift during transit, throwing off the truck’s balance and making it difficult to control. In worst-case scenarios, improperly secured items can fall off the truck entirely, becoming dangerous projectiles that can cause multi-vehicle pileups.

The responsibility for proper cargo securement typically falls on both the trucking company and the driver. They should use appropriate tie-downs, chains, or straps based on the type and weight of the cargo being transported. Truckers also need to regularly check the load’s securement during the journey to ensure that it’s still safe.

Driver Error

While many flatbed truck accidents are related to cargo issues, driver error remains a significant factor. Truck drivers face unique challenges when operating flatbed vehicles, including:

• Limited visibility: The open nature of the flatbed can create blind spots, especially when carrying tall or wide loads.
• Different handling characteristics: Flatbed trucks handle differently than enclosed trailers, especially when turning or braking.
• Fatigue: Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, slowing reaction times and impairing judgment.
• Distracted driving: Using mobile phones, eating, or other distracting activities while driving can have disastrous consequences.
• Speeding: Driving too fast for conditions, especially with an open load, increases the risk of accidents.
• Lack of experience: Inexperienced drivers may not fully understand the unique challenges of operating a flatbed truck.

Trucking companies must ensure their drivers are properly trained, well-rested, and follow all safety regulations. When they fail in this duty, they may be held liable for accidents caused by driver error.

Equipment Failure

Mechanical issues can turn deadly quickly:

• Brake failures
• Tire blowouts
• Steering system malfunctions
• Problems with the trailer hitch or coupling system

Truck drivers and trucking companies must regularly inspect and maintain their trucks to prevent these types of failures. When accidents occur due to equipment issues, liability may extend to the trucking company, maintenance providers, or even parts manufacturers.

Flatbed Truck Accident Scenarios

Load Shifting

Load shifting is particularly dangerous with flatbeds because there are no walls to contain the cargo. Even a slight movement can throw off the truck’s center of gravity, leading to loss of control, rollovers, or spillage onto the roadway.

Cargo Spills

Cargo spills from flatbeds create instant obstacles for other drivers, often leaving little time to react.

These spills can result in:

• Direct collisions with fallen cargo
• Secondary accidents as drivers attempt to avoid debris
• Multi-vehicle pileups when visibility is suddenly reduced by spilled materials

Rollovers

Flatbed trucks have a higher center of gravity than many other vehicles, making them more susceptible to rollovers. This risk increases with tall or top-heavy loads. A rollover might occur when:

• Taking a turn too quickly
• Overcorrecting after drifting onto the shoulder
• Encountering strong crosswinds
• Braking suddenly while the load is in motion

The consequences of a flatbed rollover are often catastrophic, affecting multiple lanes of traffic and potentially crushing nearby vehicles.

Underride Accidents

One of the most horrific types of flatbed truck accidents is the underride collision. This occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer. Without the protective barrier of walls, flatbeds present an even greater underride risk than enclosed trailers.

Underride accidents often happen when:

• A flatbed stops suddenly, and a following car can’t brake in time
• A flatbed truck suddenly changes lanes on a highway, striking a car beside them and trapping it underneath the trailer.
• A truck driver fails to check their blind spot or yield the right of way, colliding with a smaller vehicle and causing it to slide under the trailer.

Underride accidents frequently result in severe injuries or fatalities because the upper part of the smaller vehicle may be sheared off or crushed during the collision.

Prevention and Safety Measures to Avoid Flatbed Truck Crashes

Both trucking companies and individual truck drivers have a responsibility to implement and follow safety measures that can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. These include:

Proper Loading Techniques

Proper loading is fundamental to flatbed truck safety. This involves more than just placing cargo on the deck; it requires careful planning and execution:

• Weight distribution: Ensure the load is evenly distributed across the flatbed to maintain stability.
• Load placement: Position heavier items over the truck’s axles for better weight distribution.
• Height considerations: Be aware of the total height of the load to avoid low bridges or overpasses.
• Secure base: Use appropriate materials like rubber mats to increase friction between the cargo and the flatbed.

Trucking companies should provide comprehensive training on proper loading techniques and ensure that loading personnel understand and follow these principles consistently.

Regular Maintenance

A well-maintained truck is less likely to experience mechanical failures that can lead to accidents. Regular maintenance should include:

• Brake system checks: Given the heavy loads flatbeds carry, brake maintenance is critical.
• Tire inspections: Check for proper inflation, tread depth, and signs of wear or damage.
• Steering system maintenance: Ensure all components are in good working order.
• Trailer hitch inspections: Regularly check the connection between the truck and the flatbed trailer.

Trucking companies should implement rigorous maintenance schedules and keep detailed records of all inspections and repairs.

Driver Training

Proper driver training is essential for flatbed truck safety. This should go beyond basic CDL requirements to include:

• Load securement techniques: Drivers should understand how to properly secure different types of cargo.
• Weather-specific training: Instruction on how to handle a flatbed truck in various weather conditions.
• Defensive driving: Techniques for anticipating and avoiding potential hazards on the road.
• Fatigue management: Education on recognizing signs of fatigue and strategies for staying alert.
• Pre-trip inspections: Thorough training on conducting comprehensive pre-trip safety checks.

Ongoing training and refresher courses can help ensure that drivers maintain and update their skills over time.

Adherence to Regulations

Following federal and state regulations helps prevent flatbed truck accidents. Key areas of focus include:

• Hours of Service (HOS) rules: Ensure drivers adhere to mandated rest periods to prevent fatigue-related accidents.
• Load securement regulations: Follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines for properly securing cargo based on its type and weight.
• Weight limits: Stay within legal weight limits for the truck and roadways.
• Equipment standards: Ensure all equipment meets or exceeds federal safety standards.

Trucking companies should have systems in place to monitor compliance with these regulations and address any violations promptly.

By implementing these prevention strategies and safety measures, trucking companies and drivers can significantly reduce the risk of flatbed truck accidents. Unfortunately, not all adhere to these practices, which puts everyone on the road at risk.

If you’ve been involved in a flatbed truck accident, an experienced truck accident attorney can help determine if negligence or oversight contributed to your accident and fight for your right to compensation.

Importance of Evidence Collection

Building a strong case after a flatbed truck accident requires extensive evidence. Key elements include:

• Police reports and accident scene photos
• Truck driver logs and employment records
• Trucking company maintenance records
• Data from the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) or “black box”
• Cargo manifests and loading records
• Witness statements
• Surveillance or dashcam footage
• Expert analysis of the accident scene and vehicle damage

An attorney has the resources to gather this evidence and even work to prevent the trucking company from destroying valuable evidence (such as erasing the “black box” data). You need to contact an attorney as quickly as possible to ensure they can gather evidence promptly and file your claim within any legal deadlines.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Today

Don’t wait to get legal help if a negligent truck driver or some other factor caused a flatbed truck accident that hurt you or a beloved family member. The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP has fought for accident victims for over 50 years, recovering billions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Our team understands the devastating impact these accidents can have on individuals and families, and we guarantee we will do all we can to help you get the full compensation and justice you deserve.

We have the resources, knowledge, and determination to take on large trucking companies and their insurers. Our New York City personal injury attorneys will work diligently to investigate your case, gather crucial evidence, and build a compelling claim for compensation on your behalf.

Additionally, we operate on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront for us to represent you, and we only get paid if we negotiate a fair settlement or win your case at trial. 

Contact us today for a free consultation. You need to act quickly to protect your rights to compensation and allow your attorney time to gather evidence to support your claim.