Tulsa Flatbed Truck Accident Lawyer

Flatbed Truck Accident Attorney in Tulsa, OK

Steel coils, drill pipe, and stacked lumber are meant to stay in place when cargo is properly secured. When it is not, shifting or falling cargo can create a hazard on busy roads such as I-44, the Broken Arrow Expressway, and Memorial Drive, and more than one company may share responsibility, depending on the facts. Who loaded the truck and who secured the cargo may be part of understanding who is responsible for what the crash cost you.

Based in Oklahoma City, Fulmer Sill represents clients across the state, including Tulsa. Chad W.P. Kelliher leads the firm’s Truck Accident Practice Group and has devoted his legal career to representing injured Oklahomans, including in catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims.

To talk about what happened in a flatbed truck crash, contact Fulmer Sill to schedule a free consultation with our Tulsa Flatbed Truck Accident Lawyer.

Flatbed Cargo Failures That Can Lead to Serious Crashes

A flatbed crash can look different from an ordinary truck accident case. Responsibility often comes down to how the load was secured and who loaded it, and an attorney can help sort through those details.

• Unsecured or shifting loads, including steel coils, drill pipe, lumber, and heavy machinery that break free mid-transit.
• Falling cargo and road debris crashes, including those involving loose straps or tie-down equipment.
• Rollover wrecks tied to top-heavy or overloaded flatbed trailers that lose stability on curves and ramps.
• Oversized load and permit violations that put wide or overhanging cargo into your lane.
• Multi-vehicle pileups triggered by sudden cargo loss on highways like I-44 or the Broken Arrow Expressway.
• Wrongful death claims after a fatal flatbed collision involving a loved one.

Why Fault in a Flatbed Crash May Extend Beyond the Driver

Flatbed trucking is regulated because cargo can shift or fall when it is not properly secured. Federal rules require commercial drivers and motor carriers to make sure cargo like steel coils, pipe, and lumber is properly secured under the federal cargo securement standards (49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I). A separate rule requires the driver to check those tie-downs within the first 50 miles of the trip, and again later during the drive (49 CFR § 392.9(b)).

If that check is not completed, or cargo is not properly secured before a shipment leaves for a destination like the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, responsibility may extend beyond the driver, depending on the facts.

A flatbed case may also involve the cargo owner and the loading contractor, so a Flatbed Truck Accident attorney in Tulsa can help evaluate which parties may be responsible.

Sorting out who may be responsible early can help preserve evidence that may otherwise be lost.

Truck Accident Settlements Fulmer Sill’s Attorneys Have Helped Secure

The examples below are past results from cases handled by Fulmer Sill’s attorneys.

Every case is different and depends on its specific facts and circumstances. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Flatbed Truck Accident Questions in Tulsa

Who can be held responsible for a flatbed truck accident?

It may be more than the driver. The trucking company, the crew that loaded the cargo, the shipper that owned it, and in some cases a strap or chain manufacturer may share responsibility, depending on the facts. An attorney can help evaluate which parties and insurance coverage may be involved.

What does it cost to hire a Tulsa flatbed truck accident lawyer?

There are no upfront attorney fees. Fulmer Sill handles flatbed and commercial truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means attorney fees are paid only if there is a recovery. The consultation is free.

How long do I have to file a flatbed truck accident claim in Oklahoma?

In many cases, Oklahoma law gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit (12 O.S. § 95(A)(3)).  But that clock can start later, for example, if you didn’t discover your injury right away, or run differently if a minor was hurt or a government agency is involved. Deadlines can pass sooner than people expect, so it helps to speak with an attorney early.

What evidence may be relevant after a flatbed truck crash?

Important records related to the driver, the trucking company, and the load may help show what happened. An attorney can help with preserving important records, since information may not be kept indefinitely.

Do different rules apply depending on what a flatbed truck was hauling?

Yes, they can. Federal cargo securement standards include general rules for all cargo and additional rules for certain cargo, such as logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, and heavy equipment. An attorney can help evaluate which rules may apply to a claim.

Where do flatbed truck accident cases get filed in Tulsa?

A flatbed or commercial truck lawsuit may be filed in Tulsa County District Court (14th Judicial District) at 500 S. Denver Avenue, depending on where the crash happened and where the parties are located. An attorney can help determine the proper court.

If your question is not listed here, contact us to discuss it with an attorney.

Talk to a Tulsa Flatbed Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you were hurt in a crash involving a flatbed truck or its cargo, you can talk with an attorney about what happened.

Contact Fulmer Sill‘s Oklahoma City office to schedule a free consultation about your Tulsa flatbed truck accident.