How Common Are Flatbed Truck Accidents in Texas?

If you’ve spent any time on Texas’ roads and highways, you’ve seen them. Flatbed trucks are designed to carry heavy loads across long distances. When these large commercial vehicles are involved in accidents, they can cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. So, how common are flatbed truck accidents in Texas? Read on to learn about the prevalence of collisions involving these large vehicles.

Understanding Flatbed Truck Accidents in Texas

Flatbed trucks are an essential part of Texas commerce, transporting oversized loads across highways and rural routes. But their size and open design also place them within the state’s broader category of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), where accidents are all too common.

In 2023, Texas recorded 9,244 CMV crashes. While only 1.43% were fatal, the sheer number of crashes shows the risk flatbed operations pose on Texas roads. These accidents often occur under challenging conditions.

Nearly 37.7% of CMV crashes happened between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., a time when fatigue and low visibility increase the likelihood of collisions. Rural regions also face higher risks, with 18.67% of CMV accidents taking place outside urban centers, where emergency response times may be slower. Flatbed truck accidents remain a significant and ongoing public safety concern.

What Makes Flatbed Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Flatbed trucks are tasked with carrying unsecured loads, which is only one of several reasons that these vehicles pose serious dangers to drivers on the road. Even a minor shift in cargo can leave debris strewn across a highway. In cases where cargo is seriously unbalanced, the entire truck can become destabilized.

A recent crash near Odessa underscores these dangers. In early July 2025, a semi-truck failed to stop at a stop sign and entered the path of oncoming traffic at the intersection of State Highway 302 and FM 181. The resulting collision killed a 56-year-old Odessa resident, highlighting how quickly situations can turn disastrous when large trucks are involved.

Like other large 18-wheelers and commercial vehicles, flatbed trucks are many tons. The large vehicles require a considerable distance to come to a stop and are less able to take evasive action to avoid a collision. For these and other reasons, flatbed trucks remain a danger on the road that can leave victims facing long and uncertain recoveries.

What Do I Do After a Flatbed Truck Collision?

Flatbed truck collisions can leave injured victims in shock. Your priority should be your health and safety. Call 911 to report your location and how many people may be hurt. If your vehicle is operational, try to move away from moving traffic.

Once police arrive, allow paramedics to look you over. At the scene, cooperate with officers and provide only information. These details will later become important under Texas truck accident laws. If you can safely do so, document the crash by taking photos and gathering witness contact information.

After seeking medical attention, your next step should be contacting a truck accident attorney. Legal guidance is crucial in truck accident cases, especially when insurance companies attempt to limit payouts. Choosing to hire a truck accident lawyer in Texas who will protect your rights can position you for a fair settlement that compensates you for the harm you suffered.

FAQs

Q:  Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident?

A: Establishing liability following a truck accident is an important first step for anyone seeking compensation for their injury. Truck accidents can be complex to navigate because the driver, the group they work for, or a third party may be liable. If the truck suffered a mechanical error, a product manufacturer may be at fault. Any person who failed to properly maintain the vehicle may also share liability. A truck accident lawyer can investigate the cause of the crash before pursuing compensation.

Q: What Is the Leading Cause of Accidents in Texas?

A: One leading cause of truck accidents and accidents in general is distracted driving. When drivers take their attention off the road for even a moment, they place themselves and those around them in danger. Smartphones, navigation systems, and other devices can play a role in distracting drivers. Distracted driving can lead to liability for drivers.

Q: What Is the Most Common Type of Truck Accident?

A: Rear-end collisions are a common type of truck accident. Trucks require a considerable distance to stop. When commercial vehicle operators drive at excessive speeds or fail to maintain a safe distance between themselves and other drivers, they can cause serious collisions that leave drivers and passengers with life-altering injuries.

Q: How Can I Maximize the Size of My Settlement?

A: You can maximize the size of your settlement by working with an attorney who brings years of experience handling flatbed truck collision accidents. Without legal representation, you may fail to account for the total range of damages that you are owed. An attorney brings years of experience helping clients secure fair compensation that accounts for the emotional, physical, and financial harm they suffered from a flatbed truck accident.

Q: Can I Hold a Flatbed Truck Driver Accountable?

A: You can hold a flatbed truck driver accountable for causing your harm when you take decisive action and hire a personal injury attorney. Whether your compensation comes from the driver’s insurance policy, the group they work for, or another source, having legal representation can greatly improve your chances of holding the at-fault party financially liable for the emotional and physical harm you suffered.

Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Texas

Flatbed trucks play a critical role in transporting oversized loads, but their open design also creates unique dangers on Texas roads. Shifting or unsecured cargo can fall into traffic, and the sheer size of these vehicles often leads to devastating collisions. Victims of flatbed truck accidents may suffer catastrophic injuries and face long recoveries.

At The Law Offices of Miller & Bicklein, P.C., our team draws on more than 90 years of combined experience to pursue the compensation injured clients deserve. We understand the tactics trucking groups use to minimize payouts, and we are not afraid to take them to court if necessary to see that justice is served. Contact us today for a free consultation.