Flatbed trucks are large, commercial trucks that don’t have roofs or sides; they only have an open, flat bed onto which cargo can be loaded. If you’ve been involved in a flatbed truck accident, there are legal options you can take to secure fair compensation for the devastating injuries you’ve sustained. Frank Azar Car & Accident Lawyers is a Colorado-based firm that has dedicated over 30 years to advocating for those affected by flatbed truck accidents and many other types of car and truck accidents. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you.
What Makes Flatbed Trucks Dangerous?
Flatbed trucks can be especially dangerous because they have no barriers restraining their cargo. These trucks commonly carry large, heavy materials such as machinery, lumber, and heavy stones. If the cargo straps are damaged or come loose, it can cause the cargo to dislodge, resulting in catastrophic accidents.
Further, they handle differently than other types of large trucks. An experienced big rig driver may struggle to control a flatbed because the loads may shift more easily, and because some loads may exceed the size of a typical trailer. Flatbeds are used to carry everything from supplies to livestock carriers to pre-fabricated houses. A truck with any of those loads will feel different than, say, a typical box truck or semi-truck would.
What Types of Accidents Are Most Likely for Flatbed Trucks?
Most truck accidents result in considerable injuries and damage, contributing to around 500 injuries and 85 fatalities in Colorado alone, according to the latest data. However, there are unique risks posed to motorists who share the road with flatbed drivers. Below are a few of the more common flatbed truck accidents:
Cargo Spills
Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of a flatbed truck’s design is in the names — the flatbed. While flatbeds are perfect for transporting large, bulky, and awkwardly shaped cargo, the fact of the matter is that cargo can sometimes come loose and when it does, the results can be disastrous. Flatbeds often carry boulders, logs, and even machinery or military vehicles, and are often restrained with nothing but cargo straps. If the straps aren’t frequently tightened and maintained, the cargo can spill into the road and wipe out whole lanes of traffic and even nearby buildings.
Rollovers
Another dangerous aspect of the unique cargo of a flatbed truck is the high center of gravity and the potential for load shifting. If cargo is not properly secured or shifts during transit, it can throw the truck off balance, causing it to tip over. Rollovers are especially dangerous on highways, where they can lead to multi-vehicle crashes, road blockages, and secondary accidents as drivers attempt to avoid the overturned truck.
Underrides
This type of accident happens when a smaller vehicle, such as a car or motorcycle, hits the rear or side of the truck. The smaller vehicle can literally be pulled under the trailer or wheels. (When a truck rear-ends a smaller car at speed and drives over the top of it, it’s called an override.) As you can imagine, the result of an underride crash is often the complete destruction of the other vehicle and in most cases, serious injury and/or death.
Tire Blowouts
Because of the heavy weight that flatbed trucks carry, blowouts are a much higher risk than other types of vehicles or even trucks. Tires can wear out quickly or unevenly, and tread separation can also lead to a blowout. This can cause the driver to lose control of the truck and hit other drivers or pedestrians. The flying debris from the tire itself can also cause accidents.
Turning Accidents
Flatbed trucks require plenty of space to make turns. This can be a problem because Colorado’s rural mountain roads and tight intersections aren’t always trucker-friendly. Whether it’s due to the trucker decides making a risky or illegal turn or other motorists failing to give the trucker enough space, turning accidents are simply more common with flatbeds.
Most Serious Injuries from Flatbed Truck Accidents
Flatbed truck accidents almost always result in injury, but the types of injuries range considerably. Here are a few of the more common types:
- Brain injuries such as concussions or TBI
- Spinal or neck injuries, such as hernias or whiplash
- Broken bones and sprains
- Internal injuries such as organ punctures or internal bleeding
- Lacerations and burns
- Com
- Paralysis
- Death
Who Is Liable for a Crash with a Flatbed Truck in Colorado?
Flatbed trucks can be owner-operated or owned by the trucking company and contracted by the driver. This means that in more situations than not, either the trucking company or driver will be liable for an accident caused by a flatbed truck. The driver may be more likely to be held liable if they committed a crime when the accident occurred, or failed to maintain the truck’s cargo causing it to spill out or cause a rollover. Other possible liable parties include shipping companies and the truck’s manufacturers.
At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we understand that the insurance companies do not want to pay out on claims like these, because the injuries are almost always catastrophic. Trucking companies often have a small army of lawyers at their disposal to fight back. Hiring a Colorado truck accident lawyer can put you on more equal playing field. Our team has secured millions for injury victims, including folks were who injured in truck wrecks.
How to Reduce Your Risk of an Accident with a Flatbed
While truck accidents are slightly below the national average in Colorado, when they do occur, and injuries or fatalities are present, they primarily affect the drivers of surrounding vehicles. Not every accident can be avoided, but there are ways to mitigate your risk of a serious injury in certain scenarios. Here are some tips to do so:
- Maintain a generous distance from the truck, especially if behind or in front. This gives you more time to move out of the way if the truck’s cargo gets loose or if the truck needs to make a sudden stop or turn.
- Anticipate blind spots. Understand that truck drivers sit higher up in their cabs and have limited visibility over the adjacent lanes or behind them.
- Look for unsafe loading. If a flatbed truck’s cargo looks loose or particularly heavy, try to distance yourself as far as possible from the vehicle.
- If you need to pass a flatbed truck, always do so left side and at a safe distance.
- If driving in front of the truck, avoid sudden braking. Underrides are a higher risk with flatbeds.
- Use extra caution during the nighttime or hazardous weather.
Do You Have a Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me?
Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers is proud to serve people all over the state of Colorado. Please reach out to us in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Greeley, Grand Junction, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Pueblo, or Thornton to schedule your free consultation.
Our Colorado Truck Accident Lawyers Will Fight for You
Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has dedicated over 30 years to Coloradans injured in truck accidents and our successes have allowed us to grow to become the largest personal injury firm in the state. Contact our Colorado truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you access fair compensation for your suffering.
