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Though semi-truck accidents happen less frequently than other motor vehicle accidents, the results can be far more devastating. According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, there were almost 4,800 large truck crashes statewide in one recent year, leading to more than 1,500 injuries and 75 deaths.
Because large trucks are so much bigger than passenger vehicles, truck accident victims tend to suffer more severe injuries and more expensive medical bills.
If you have been injured in an accident involving a large truck, you may be suffering pain, stress, and financial hardship.
The Oklahoma truck accident lawyers at Edwards & Patterson Law have more than 30 years of experience helping crash victims claim fair compensation for their injuries. We have helped thousands of clients recover millions in compensation. Our skill, professionalism, and commitment to our clients make us your ideal advocate. Contact our law firm today for a free initial consultation.
What Types of Oklahoma Truck Accident Cases Do We Handle?
A truck accident can happen anywhere and when you’re least expecting it. Some of the truck accidents we handle at our firm include:
- Head-on collisions — If a semi-truck driver is distracted, impaired, or suffers a sudden mechanical failure, they could lose control and cross over from their lane into the path of other approaching vehicles. Head-on collisions are among the most catastrophic types of truck accidents.
- Rear-end collisions — Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and other forms of negligence can all prevent a truck driver from safely stopping and avoiding hitting a vehicle in front of them. In some rear-end collisions, the truck’s momentum will carry it forward so that part of the other vehicle becomes trapped under the front of the truck.
- Sideswipe collisions — Semi-trucks have large blind spots on either side, making it difficult for truck drivers to see other vehicles nearby. If drivers do not check their blind spots carefully before merging, turning, or passing, they can sideswipe a car next to them.
- T-bone collisions — T-bone accidents are generally the result of a truck driver failing to stop or yield at an intersection when another vehicle has the right of way. Common causes of T-bone accidents include distracted driving, impaired driving, speeding, bad weather, and poor road conditions.
- Rollovers — Truck drivers need to be careful when rounding corners and making turns; otherwise, trucks can tip over, causing them to crush other vehicles in their path.
- Tire blowouts — A sudden tire blowout can cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle, causing them to collide with nearby cars or objects as they veer into other lanes.
- Jackknife collisions — If a truck driver slams on the brakes suddenly, the truck’s trailer may keep its forward momentum, causing it to swing to one side and hit anything in its path as it travels toward the front of the truck. Because this motion resembles a knife being folded and closed, these accidents are commonly referred to as “jackknife collisions.”
What Are Injuries Commonly Caused by Oklahoma Truck Accidents?
Oklahoma truck accidents frequently leave crash victims with horrific injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- External head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Back and neck injuries
- Severe internal bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
- Crushed, severed, or amputated limbs
- Bodily or facial disfigurement
- Burns
- Psychological trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What Are Some Common Causes of Oklahoma Truck Accidents?
The causes of truck accidents are varied. Sometimes there are multiple contributors to a single accident. Some of the common causes of Oklahoma truck accidents include:
- Impaired driving — Truck drivers who abuse alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications may experience dulled reflexes, slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and other side effects that make a crash more likely.
- Distracted driving — All drivers should take precautions against distracted driving. Truck drivers need to be especially careful due to the potential devastation a truck accident can cause. Truck drivers who are distracted by talking on their cell phones, texting, snacking, grooming, using a navigation device, or adjusting the radio will have a much more difficult time maintaining proper awareness of other vehicles around them.
- Speeding/aggressive driving — A semi-truck’s size and weight make it much more difficult to control than other vehicles, especially when the semi-truck needs to slow down and stop. If a truck driver is speeding or engaging in other aggressive driving behavior, they may not have enough time or room to stop in an emergency.
- Driver fatigue — Even though there are laws requiring semi-truck drivers to rest at certain intervals, drivers may ignore these rules to make up time along their route. Severe fatigue can compromise a driver’s reflexes and judgment, and in some cases, they may even fall asleep at the wheel.
- Lack of proper maintenance — Trucks need regular maintenance to repair or replace worn parts. A catastrophic mechanical failure is more likely if this maintenance is not performed.
- Defective parts — If a truck’s brakes, suspension, tires, or other critical components are defective, they may break and cause the driver to lose control.
- Loose or shifting cargo — If a truck’s cargo is not balanced correctly or comes loose in transit, the truck may tip over, especially if the driver turns too quickly.
Should I Hire an Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer?
You want to hire a dedicated Oklahoma truck accident lawyer after an accident. Truck accidents often leave victims with severe, lifelong injuries, so it is important to recover as much compensation as possible. A truck accident lawyer can help you identify all the parties who may be responsible and document the full range of your injuries, making it easier for you to fight for maximum compensation.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Filing a Truck Accident Injury Claim in Oklahoma?
Yes, there is. The Oklahoma statute of limitations for filing an accident injury lawsuit is two years. You have two years from the date of the truck accident to file your lawsuit against the truck driver, or trucking company responsible for the accident. But, please take note, if the accident claim is against the state or a local municipality, you only have one year. Should you fail to file your lawsuit within these time periods, you may lose your right to recover any compensation for your damages or injuries. So, do not delay.
What Compensation Can I Recover After an Oklahoma Truck Accident?
With help from an experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorney, you may be able to recover compensation for your:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Medical care bills
- Lost wages and reduced future earning potential
- Damaged personal property
Contact Our Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyers Today
The Oklahoma truck accident lawyers at Edwards & Patterson Law are committed to defending the rights of crash victims so they can rebuild their lives. We want to ease your stress, handle your concerns, and help you get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we may be able to help with your case, contact us today for your free initial consultation.
