Flatbed trucks are commercial trucks with a weight of at least 10,000 pounds (not including cargo or passengers). In a tractor-trailer, the cargo is hitched to the cab and the cab can be completely separated from the trailer carrying the cargo. This is not the case with the flatbed truck. With a flatbed truck, the flatbed is open and is attached directly and permanently to the truck’s chassis.
Flatbed trucks are often used to transport large, heavy, and unwieldy cargo. For example, these vehicles are commonly used to transport manufactured homes, lumber, building materials, vehicles, logs, and other large objects. One of the dangers with this is that the cargo can shift during an impact in an accident and the cargo can become loose or can shift forward and back, causing damage to the cab guards and striking the driver.
Dangerous Cargo and Flatbed Trucks
Since the cargo is not enclosed on a flatbed truck, if something goes wrong and the cargo is not correctly secured it can come loose and injure other road users. Truck drivers with flatbed trucks are required by law to check that their cargo is loaded and tied to the flatbed and secured correctly. They are also required to stop every so often to ensure that the cargo remains properly secured.
Loading and unloading cargo from flatbed trucks can also present a danger. In many cases, heavy machinery such as forklifts are used to transport heavy cargo to and from the flatbed. This can lead to workplace accidents and crushing injuries in Hollywood and other communities. The cargo may drop or fall when being transported, causing flying debris and other dangers. Some workers have also become trapped between a truck and forklift in these types of situation because proper safety protocols were not followed.
Staying Safe
There are many things that can be done to prevent flatbed truck accidents:
- Proper safety policies when loading and unloading cargo
- Properly securing the cargo to the flatbed
- Not exceeding weight limits for the truck
- Not speeding
- Checking the cargo regularly while on the road and fixing or reporting any problems with how the cargo is secured
- Properly maintaining the truck
If these simple measures were not taken and this negligence led to your injuries, you may have a civil claim against the liable parties. Seeking compensation through a legal claim can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs related to your injuries. With compensation in place, you can focus on healing from your injuries and rebuilding your life after your collision.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident involving a flatbed truck, contact one of the accident attorneys at Flaxman Law Group today. A member of our law firm can go over the facts of your case and can help you determine how much compensation you may be able to secure for your injuries. Your initial consultation with Flaxman Law Group is free of charge and comes with no commitment, so contact our team for legal advice today.