What are some of the leading causes of flatbed truck accidents? Kentucky, and the Louisville area in particular, are home to substantial truck traffic, many of which are flatbed trucks. Flatbed trucks are used to haul a variety of loads, materials, equipment or machinery. Some flatbeds are actually welded to the frame of the truck itself. Others are pulled separately and may be detached from the cab of the truck.
Detached flatbed trucks come in basically two varieties:
- A standard flatbed mounted above the wheels
- A “Lowboy” where the bed actually sits much closer to the ground, between the wheel wells
Of the roughly half a million truck accidents in the United States each year a large percentage are attributed to flatbed trucks. This is usually the result of a collision or the shifting of improperly secured cargo. In other cases, the accident is associated directly with the type of cargo the truck is hauling.
Loads which are too heavy for a flatbed or which are improperly secured often create a high center of gravity. This results in the shifting of the load forward or backward or side-to-side which ultimately leads to loads becoming loose and even falling into the roadway.
Kentucky and federal laws require flatbed truck operators to use a specific process to locate the load, and even specifies the nature and type of tie downs to be used and how they must be attached. These laws also require flatbed operators to routinely stop to check the security of their loads.
Unfortunately, some of the leading causes of flatbed truck accidents also result in serious injuries or loss of life to other motorists. The experienced truck accident and injury attorneys at Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington, PLLC have the legal skill, technical knowledge and resources to hold trucking companies and all responsible parties accountable for injuries or a wrongful death which results from a flatbed truck accident.
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a flatbed truck accident we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and the legal industry and contact HLH or call 503-583-9701 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys personally for a free consultation. Learn about the legal complexities surrounding these cases and how HLH will work to achieve full and fair compensation for your personal injury claim. There is no cost to you or your family out of pocket as we work on a contingency fee basis.