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Accidents involving larger commercial trucks often result in severe injuries for residents of Tulsa, OK. Unfortunately, this can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial setbacks for victims. Recovering compensation after these incidents needs to be the number one priority, though this can be a challenge, particularly when Going up against insurance carriers and at-fault parties. The Tulsa truck accident lawyers at Graves McLain are here to
guide you through your case, start to finish.
Commercial vehicles create significant risks to other vehicles due to their large size. The heavy loads they carry make them difficult to maneuver in highway traffic. In narrow downtown streets with pedestrians as well as bicyclists, one careless move from a truck driver can affect many people in seconds. The result can be catastrophic personal injuries or death.
Many types of accidents involve trucks, such as:
Because a commercial truck is so much larger than nearly any other vehicle on the road, it means they have much larger blind spots. Other vehicles traveling too closely beside, in front of, or behind a truck puts them at high risk of becoming “invisible” to the truck driver. The basic rule of thumb states that “if you cannot see a truck’s side-view mirrors, the driver cannot see you.”
This can become catastrophic when an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer changes lanes and cuts off a passenger car that was following too closely. On the other end of the spectrum, a car that quickly changes lanes immediately in front of a truck risks entering the truck’s large forward blind spot. Either situation can lead to a major semi-truck accident.
You should avoid driving in the three “no-zones” on commercial trucks:
Due to their size and weight, truck accidents can cause many more devastating injuries and damage than wrecks involving only passenger cars. Harm and loss is multiplied many times because a small car is no match for a heavily loaded tractor-trailer. The truck driver can be held at fault, but the trucking company may also face liability for the expenses suffered by those who are injured or experience property damage.
These large trucks also create many additional risks, such as:
Truck drivers complete extensive training and are monitored to ensure they obey all traffic laws, but even experienced professional drivers can make mistakes. Driver fatigue from extended shifts to get cargo to its destination can lead to significant errors in judgment. Big rig drivers reacting to unexpected circumstances when their reflexes are diminished can lead to massive pile-ups and fatalities.
When a truck accident occurs, the lives of victims are thrown into chaos. Dealing with serious injuries and car repairs can take its toll, and on top of this, they must try to seek justice from those at fault. Gathering as much evidence as possible is also important, such as police reports, photos and video, physical evidence, and witness statements.
A skilled truck accident lawyer can assist with these steps while you recover from injuries. They can help gather evidence and build a case in the days and weeks after the accident, when even more medical complications may arise. If you or a loved one have been involved in a Tulsa truck accident, there are some commonly recommended steps to take:
Victims should be able to focus on healing and getting their lives back after a devastating crash. Trying to recover while also speaking with insurance companies, lawyers for trucking companies, and auto repair shops can add to the stress. When the worst happens, and someone dies as a result of the wreck, even more details must be dealt with to seek justice in a truck accident case.
This is when relying on a top-notch legal team can make life easier for those who have suffered trauma and damage because of someone else’s negligence.
Truck drivers are required to comply with many regulations and laws concerning maintenance and inspection. Despite this personal responsibility, it is often the case that liability from an accident will fall onto the trucking company. Even when a driver displays negligence in driving or maintenance, their employer will be considered legally at fault for any and all damages that result from accidents involving their drivers.
Besides a trucking company, however, other parties may be considered liable. Manufacturers of tires or other truck parts could be involved if it can be proven that they failed to address known design flaws or production mistakes. If these led to an accident, responsibility can be directed at those companies.
This includes manufacturers who produce truck tires that cannot handle the heavy loads, highway speeds, or long distances that are required in the trucking industry.
Blowouts of these poorly made tires can make the tire company culpable.
Other motorists may contribute to or cause a truck accident, particularly if they are speeding or breaking traffic laws. This includes passenger cars and motorcyclists, as well as anyone who is operating a non-motorized vehicle on a road not designated for it. Additionally, if a vehicle drops a large object (such as a sofa, mattress, or ladder) onto the roadway, they may continue unscathed but be responsible for a devastating truck accident behind them.
While very rare, it is possible to pursue government agencies for liability. The burden of proof is high, and it must be shown that significant factors under the control of the agency contributed to the truck accident. These factors could include excessively poor road maintenance or construction equipment left unattended in the right-of-way. In these cases, the opposing counsel will often argue against their liability, stating that all drivers should have driven more carefully due to road conditions.
Trucking industry regulations are meant to govern driver behavior and equipment safety. However, those same regulations can make a truck accident lawsuit very difficult and complicated. State and federal laws are in place to oversee all members of the trucking sector, and they play a large part in how all wrecks are managed. These laws can also be very confusing to truck accident victims when they are seeking compensation.
Hiring a truck accident attorney after a crash can be essential in uncovering avenues for reimbursement that may not be obvious. Some common reasons to engage a lawyer after a truck accident may be if you:
Tulsa truck accident survivors may choose to seek compensation for various kinds of expenses, including:
Working with a lawyer who knows the process and pitfalls of negotiating with trucking insurance companies is critical. A skilled truck accident attorney can help you understand the pros and cons of any settlement offers to determine if they are fair. When an unfair or lowball offer is made, your legal team can guide you in moving forward with a personal injury, wrongful death, or other type of lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Victims of truck accidents in Tulsa can pursue economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those expenses such as medical bills, car repair or replacement, lost wages, and other objectively calculated financial losses due to an accident. Non-economic damages comprise compensation for things such as mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.
In addition to economic and non-economic costs, accident victims may choose to pursue punitive damages in a truck accident case. Punitive damages can be requested or they may be issued by the judge during the trial. They are meant to set an example and to inflict sufficient financial hardship to the at-fault party so as to deter anyone from engaging in similar actions in the future. These damages are usually only awarded from a jury trial in which the liable party caused significant harm to the victims.
Deciding how much to seek in damages after a truck accident can be daunting and complicated. This is where it is essential to hire a lawyer with many years of experience in litigating these kinds of cases. From negotiating settlements with insurance companies to completing a lawsuit successfully in your favor, your Tulsa truck accident attorney should make it less confusing and stressful for you to receive compensation.
Evidence of injury and damage are what a good truck accident lawyer uses to build a strong case. They will work tirelessly to obtain compensation from those responsible for an accident involving tractor-trailers. The higher the quality of evidence, the more convincing it will be in court. There are many types of evidence that can be used, such as:
Putting together the best collection of proof possible is critical to maximizing the chances of receiving the full compensation victims deserve. Trucking companies are usually in a position to hire large teams of lawyers and spend tremendous sums of money to prevent being found at fault. They know that average individuals cannot compete with their financial strength in the courtroom and will do all they can to keep you from winning your case.
A skilled Tulsa truck accident lawyer will use their experience and their legal team to research your claim.
The law firm can assist you in determining who is liable for personal injuries and property damage caused by the crash. Hiring an attorney allows you to focus on recovery and rehabilitation instead of trying to fight a legal battle on your own. A competent car accident lawyer works to get you the full compensation you deserve when the negligence of others has left you with trauma.
Your legal representative will investigate the accident as well as any history of violations or crashes for the driver and trucking company involved. A truck accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance and other companies to reach a fair settlement on your behalf, ensuring you have the financial means to fully recover from your injuries.
The companies and corporations that own fleets of tractor-trailers are responsible for maintaining their equipment and training drivers according to industry regulations. Drivers are expected to follow safety laws and inspections to prevent accidents.
However, the reality is that not every company or driver follows these rules and may cut corners to save money or time. These actions lead to avoidable mistakes that can affect the lives of others in dramatic ways.
Skilled truck accident attorneys are fluent in the many laws and regulations governing the trucking sector. They will also use past lawsuits or claims against the companies to strengthen your case. Thousands of truck accidents occur in Oklahoma every year, causing life-changing injuries and even death. These large vehicles are essential to interstate commerce but can pose significant dangers to other motorists when profit is put over safety.
Depend on the experience of our Tulsa truck accident lawyers at the law offices of Graves McLain to bring your case to court and successfully seek justice for you. Contact us today for a free consultation using our online form or by phone at 918-359-6600.
