Types of Trucks Involved in Oklahoma City Truck Accidents

Oklahoma oil truck

There are many different types of commercial trucks on Oklahoma City’s roads, any of which could pose a threat in the event of a collision. The type of vehicle involved can have considerable implications on the severity of the accident and a victim’s options for pursuing compensation. Here’s what you need to know about the types of trucks involved in accidents in Oklahoma City and what that could mean for your truck accident claim.

18-Wheelers and Tractor Trailers

Tractor trailers, also known as 18-wheelers or semi trucks, can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Their size makes stopping difficult, increasing accident severity. The driver, the trucking company, or maintenance providers might be responsible for a crash.

Freight Trucks

Freight trucks carry cargo long distances, with risks similar to semi-trucks, especially when overloaded. Driver fatigue or improperly secured loads can cause accidents, with potential liability involving the driver, company, or loading crew.

Delivery Trucks

With the growth of online shopping, more delivery trucks are navigating neighborhood roads than ever. Though smaller than big rigs, their frequent stops and tight turns pose risks. Major corporations like Amazon, UPS, or FedEx could be to blame, especially if tight schedules were a factor causing drivers to rush.

Garbage Trucks

Garbage trucks, essential for waste collection, pose hazards due to frequent stops and limited visibility. Accidents could also involve a city department or private company, with liability tied to driver actions, poor scheduling of services, or safety issues caused by infrequent or poorly performed maintenance.

Box Trucks

Box trucks are used for local deliveries or moving and are heavy enough to cause serious damage in the event of a collision. Accidents often stem from improper loading or driver inexperience, particularly for rental moving vehicles.

Tanker Trucks

Tanker trucks transport liquids like fuel and hazardous chemicals, making accidents more dangerous due to potential fires or spills. Liability might involve the trucking company or cargo owner, especially if mishandling or improper maintenance is a factor.

Tow Trucks

Tow trucks move disabled vehicles off the roadway but can cause accidents during loading or towing. If driver inexperience or equipment failure contributed, the operator or towing company may be responsible.

Cement Trucks

Cement trucks carry heavy, shifting loads, which makes them prone to tipping over. Accidents involving these trucks can be severe, and liability may rest with the construction company or driver if maintenance or fatigue plays a part.

Log Carriers and Flatbed Trailers

Log carriers and flatbed trailers haul oversized items like timber and machinery. Improperly secured cargo can shift or fall, creating severe hazards. The driver, trucking company, or loading crew might be responsible.

Why You Need Cain Law’s Legal Assistance After a Truck Accident

If you were involved in a truck crash with any of the trucks described above, you need a legal advocate who will fight tirelessly for you. You need Cain Law. We stand apart from the rest because:

  • We know trucking company regulations – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). Trucking companies and truck drivers must comply with the FMSCRs. These various regulations can directly impact your personal injury claim, but they are complex. You need a personal injury attorney who understands the FMCSRs. It’s difficult for a person injured in a commercial motor vehicle accident to navigate these complexities alone. In fact, many attorneys are not educated or trained on how to handle an injury truck crash. The attorneys at Cain Law have the education, training, and experience to handle injury truck crashes and maximize clients’ recoveries.
  • We have extensive experience handling truck crash cases – Cain Law has helped to shape some of the laws surrounding truck crashes in Oklahoma. We are the law firm that secured the rights of injured Oklahomans to pursue a negligent entrustment claim against a truck company in the Oklahoma Supreme Court case of Fox v. Mize. We can carefully review your claim to determine additional potential defendants we can name in your case and other legal claims we can raise to maximize your financial recovery, such as:
    • Direct actions against truck companies for having a poor safety culture leading to high rates of injury crashes
    • Direct actions against truck companies for failure to ensure the truck driver meets the requirements set forth in the FMCSRs to operate a commercial motor vehicle
    • Actions against brokers or shippers for negligently selecting an unsafe commercial motor carrier and/or driver
    • Actions against brokers or shippers who exercised sufficient control over a commercial motor carrier and/or driver to create an employer/employee relationship
  • We have a rapid response team – An experienced truck crash attorney can immediately preserve crucial evidence. Our rapid response team is knowledgeable about what type of evidence may be available in the immediate aftermath of a crash. We can work to secure this critical evidence before the trucking company loses or destroys it. Evidence we may be able to obtain to support your case may include:
    • Cameras that captured the crash
    • Skid marks on and off the roadway
    • Damage to the vehicles
    • Dash cameras, black box downloads, electronic data, and telematics that may have recorded crucial information about the vehicle immediately before the crash

Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

Have you or a loved one been hurt in an accident with a commercial truck in Oklahoma City? If so, the experienced team at Cain Law is standing by to answer your questions and pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer, and let us fight for you.