A car accident can be bad enough, but the greater size and weight of semi-trucks greatly increases the risk that a carelessly or recklessly driven truck will cause devastating injuries — including head trauma, spinal injuries, and more — if they hit a passenger vehicle. If you or someone in your family has been injured in a truck accident, contact a skilled Tulsa truck accident attorney to protect your rights and get fair compensation.
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office’s “Crash Facts” report shows that in 2011 alone, there were on average nearly 400 crashes each month statewide involving large trucks or commercial vehicles including semi-trucks, with 76 fatalities during the year. Each month, large truck crashes in Oklahoma resulted in about 20 people who suffered incapacitating injuries, and over 60 received lesser injuries.
Nationwide, the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported the number of individuals killed in accidents involving big trucks rose to 3,757 in 2011, up from 3,686 in 2010. These situations involving serious injuries and death are the occasions when a truck accident attorney in Tulsa may help recover the devastating financial costs related to an Oklahoma semi-truck accident.
Truck Accidents and the Law
Truck accidents can raise complex factual issues, and it will be important to have an Oklahoma injury lawyer fully familiar with the challenges in proving how a truck accident happened and fully versed on truck safety regulations and commercial insurance questions. At the Tulsa Personal Injury Law Firm, we look carefully into the full record, to build the best possible case for you.
For example, we know fatigued, poorly trained or impaired drivers can cause accidents. Did the truck driver in your case follow federal regulations limiting daily and weekly limits on time behind the wheel? Companies are responsible for properly maintaining their vehicles and supervising their drivers. Did poor maintenance or supervision contribute to the accident? If equipment on the truck was defective, the manufacturer or supplier may be liable for the accident.
Was the truck overloaded, or its cargo not secured well enough to prevent load shifts that can cause a loss of control? Corporate fleet safety benchmarks include restrictions on drivers’ use of mobile devices, and check drivers’ mobile phone records after any accident. Does the truck’s owner have such policies, and what would the driver’s records show? Would the “black box” recorder found in recent models of many trucks show the driver was speeding or driving too fast for road or weather conditions? Was the truck and its equipment dangerously defective?
The company that owns or operates a truck involved in an accident, and its insurance carrier, will usually send their investigators out soon after an accident. To represent your interests, skilled truck accident lawyers know the importance of having their own investigation of the accident’s causes.
Initial Consultation: Tulsa Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma, you should get in touch as quickly as possible with an experienced truck accident attorney. Make sure you get justice, and the compensation you deserve for medical bills, prescriptions, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact the Tulsa Personal Injury Law Office by calling (918) 924-5528 to speak with an experienced Tulsa truck accident lawyer.
There is no cost or obligation to you to consult with us, so there is absolutely no risk to you. If we handle your case, you will get a clear explanation and a written agreement spelling out that you will not pay us any attorney’s fees or expenses unless you get a satisfactory settlement or we win in court for you. For a free, confidential consultation, call today at (918) 924-5528, toll free at (888) 447-7262 or send us a message using the form on the right side of this page.
