Truck Accidents: Lowboy Trucks

Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

With tractor-trailer trucks being involved in the majority of truck accidents leading to serious injury or death, an important factor to consider is the cargo and the trailer. There are many types of trailers designed to carry different kinds of cargo. Lowboy trailers are notable because they are designed to carry very heavy, often awkward loads and may be difficult to handle for inexperienced drivers.

If you or a loved one were involved in a tractor-trailer accident with a lowboy truck, you may be facing medical bills, diminished earning ability, and potentially a lifetime of disability. The Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. truck accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. stand ready to help you. Please call or email us today to schedule a free consultation.

What Is a Lowboy Truck?

A lowboy truck is either a single body truck or a combination tractor-trailer truck that is built low to the ground to ease the loading of heavy or awkward cargo. The lowboy design also lowers the center of gravity of the trailer, making it less likely to tip over in wind or in going around corners. Some types of cargo commonly put on a lowboy trailer include:

• Backhoes, bulldozers, and other construction vehicles
• Heavy military vehicles
• Airplanes, airplane parts
• Heavy machinery
• Prefabricated houses

The load on a lowboy truck is sometimes distributed evenly across the trailer, but other times is located in the middle of the trailer, giving it a very different load profile for turning.

Risks of Lowboy Trucks

Because lowboy trucks are specialized, not all drivers are experienced in driving them. Because the load is different in character and responds differently to turning and braking, an inexperienced driver may be involved in a tractor-trailer accident, either from losing control of the vehicle or performing a maneuver that causes the cargo to shift.

With lowboy trailers there is an additional risk associated with the tractor pulling it. If a tractor is not rated or maintained to pull the loads commonly placed on a lowboy trailer, a driver may find he is unable to maneuver the trailer or stop it when necessary.

If you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident with a lowboy truck, the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. can help. Contact us today to learn how.

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