Truck Accident Cases are Different
There are concerns with truck accidents that aren’t present in other forms of motor vehicle accidents. If you or someone you care about has been wounded in an 18-wheeler accident, you need an attorney who is experienced in both the law and the trucking industry, so you can get the answers for Truck Accident FAQs.
We provide a free and confidential consultation at The Law Office of Dakota Low in Oklahoma City to discuss your accident case. Our attorneys fight zealously to protect the rights of persons in Oklahoma who have been hurt by truck drivers’ or trucking firms’ negligence. To speak with one of our attorneys, Call 405.601.8899.
Investigations into truck accidents
Investigators from trucking companies are frequently present at the accident scene, obtaining information and reconstructing the truck collision. This is not in your best interests. These trucking accident investigators work for the insurance firms of the trucking companies, who are attempting to minimize their exposure. Hiring your own Oklahoma trucking accident attorney as soon as possible might negate the trucking companies’ advantage.
18-Wheelers
18-wheeler trucks and tractor-trailer trucks, like other motor vehicles, are complicated pieces of machinery that require regular inspection and maintenance to perform correctly, safely, and in accordance with the law. Semi trucks and trailers must be thoroughly inspected before they are allowed on the road to ensure that all parts of the vehicle are in working order and that the truck does not pose a safety concern to other drivers.
The Truck Driver’s Obligation
Truck drivers must be cautious and diligent drivers who always follow the regulations of the road in order to avoid accidents and injuries. As a result, if a driver drives recklessly, fails to inspect his or her truck on a regular basis to ensure complete functionality, drives too long without taking a required rest break, speeds, or violates other safety rules, he or she, as well as the trucking company for which he or she works, should be held liable for the damages he or she causes.
Responsibility of the Trucking Company
Trucking businesses may be held liable for the risks that their vehicles pose on the road. If a trucking firm fails to examine its truck and then sends it out on the road knowing that it poses a safety risk to other motorists, the trucking company should be held liable for any injuries caused by that truck. Oklahoma allows a separate cause of action against a trucking firm for negligent employment, entrustment, and supervision for allowing an untrained, improperly trained, and/or risky driver on the road.
It may also be feasible to show that the trucking firm behaved negligently by allowing a dangerous driver to operate an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer and cause accidents, placing the general public at risk. Trucking businesses may be susceptible to punitive damages for willful or reckless conduct if negligent hiring charges are proven. Punitive damages are intended to punish a negligent trucking firm and possibly dissuade it from repeating the same behavior in the future, thereby improving safety.
More information on truck accidents:
The Law Office of Dakota Low focuses its practice on aggressively representing victims of 18-wheeler and tractor-trailer truck accidents throughout Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and throughout the state. Call us at 405.601.8899 or use our contact form for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been hurt or injured as a result of a trucking driver’s or trucking company’s negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are extremely violent, and the ramifications can be deadly and costly. Major injuries are an all-too-common result of collisions like this, and the property damage, lost income, and emotional trauma that accompanies those injuries can wreak havoc on a family’s finances. Working with an experienced Oklahoma City truck accident attorney is a prudent decision: the last thing you want to do is defend yourself in court and not receive the compensation you deserve.
For many years, the Law Office of Dakota Low has fought on behalf of wounded clients in Oklahoma. We have the answers to the following truck accident FAQs.
When I’m in a Truck Accident, What Should I Do?
The first step should be to seek medical assistance and stabilize any serious injuries. However, if you are possible, document the situation in detail, including the state of the road, the location of the vehicles, the personal details of all drivers and passengers, and any information relevant to eyewitness reports. Above all, take images in the manner specified. What you should not do is avoid medical treatment or give insurance adjusters any assurances that you are not wounded, as such statements may later jeopardize your ability to receive a reasonable payment.
What Can I Expect in Terms Of A Settlement Or Award?
This is contingent on the kind and severity of the accident. Minor injuries may be more difficult to collect on than catastrophic injuries, but the legal questions are the same: who was at fault, what expenses are associated with your recovery, will you lose income as a result, and was there any gross negligence or pain and suffering that should be taken into account as well? An attorney can carefully answer these questions and aggressively prepare for a court battle to guarantee you receive a fair settlement.
How many people are injured in Truck Accidents?
In the United States, there are roughly 4,229 fatalities involving commercial trucks or semi-trucks per year. Truck accidents have resulted in over 70,000 injuries, many of which are life-altering, irreversible injuries such as brain injury, spine injury, paralysis, and coma.
Oklahoma’s figures are similarly eye-opening. In a typical year, around 2,000 accidents involving heavy vehicles or 18-wheelers occur. Truck accidents resulted in around 115 deaths and over 1,300 injuries as a result of these collisions. Furthermore, over 800 heavy trucks were engaged in tow-away accidents.
Truck accidents are significantly more likely to occur in rural areas (68 percent) than in metropolitan areas, according to current statistics (32 percent). Weekends account for 78 percent of all fatal truck accidents.
The most common cause of trucking accidents in which the truck driver is at fault has been discovered to be truck driver weariness. In fact, studies reveal that truck drivers who do not obtain the recommended amount of sleep are responsible for nearly 30% of all truck accidents. Unfortunately, driver weariness is frequently the result of strict driver mile or trip restrictions imposed by large trucking corporations with the goal of increasing driver miles and earnings at the expense of the general public’s safety and well-being.
After a truck accident, how long do I have to file a lawsuit?
It is advisable to speak with an experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your alternatives. In Oklahoma, however, you have two years before the statute of limitations expires.
Should I Tell The Trucking Company’s Insurer My Medical History?
While you can, it is advised not to do so until you have spoken with an attorney. They can use too much information against you and will typically provide a lower settlement if you give them too much. If you haven’t already, stay away from this.
Should I Accept the Offer of Settlement?
No, not until you speak with a representative from our firm. Insurance companies frequently want to settle a claim as quickly as possible, so they will offer far less than you deserve. You can be eligible to a lot more depending on your situation.
What Is the Difference Between a Truck Accident and a Car Accident?
The injuries can be significantly more serious because of the size differential between a car and a truck. Your pain could endure a lifetime, from fractured bones to spinal cord injury. In addition, the driver, their employer, and their insurance company may all be held accountable.
In a truck accident, how is fault determined?
There are a few things to consider. We will do everything possible to establish negligence. This is accomplished by demonstrating that the driver was overtired, overworked, or undertrained. The weather or road conditions can also have a role.
How Long Does It Take To File A Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Our goal is to bring you the most money in the quickest amount of time possible. However, depending on the nature of your claim, you may need to wait. We will constantly keep you informed and attempt to complete tasks as promptly as feasible.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Truck Accidents?
Here are a few examples:
- Head injuries from a traumatic event (TBIs)
- Injuries to the spine
- Accidents to the neck
- Fractures of the bones
- Burns
How Much Does Working With A Good Attorney Cost?
The good news is that this is the case. When you choose The Law Office of Dakota Low, you will never have to pay a fee until we are successful in getting you money through a settlement or a trial. Our business works on a contingency basis, which means that the only money we get comes from the settlement or trial decision, so the responsible party pays us instead of you.
What Are The Most Frequently Occurring Reasons For Truck Accidents?
Accidents involving trucks can happen for a variety of reasons. However, one or more of the following concerns are the most common causes of truck accidents:
- Truck drivers who are unqualified
- Inexperienced truck drivers
- Speeding
- Driver exhaustion
- Taking prescription drugs
- Driving while inebriated or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure of the brakes or other mechanical components
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to another vehicle
- Failure to pass an inspection
- Failures in repair and maintenance
- Trucks and trailers that are overloaded
- Carelessness or inattention
- Trailers or loads that are improperly loaded
- Tires that haven’t been tested or are defective
- Inadequate monitoring
- Turns that aren’t legal or safety violations
- Distracted driving
- Inadvertently merging into traffic
- Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or a red light
- Driving too fast in a construction zone
- Paying too much attention
- Failure to slow down when driving in bad weather
- Making a sudden lane change
For a free case evaluation, please contact us.
We can assist you if you need efficient legal representation in a truck accident case and don’t want to fight your insurance company indefinitely. Contact Dakota Low today for a free case review and consultation at 405.601.8899 or use our contact form on the merits of your case with one of our Truck Accident lawyers.
