Types of Trucking Accidents in Oklahoma City

types of trucking accidents in Oklahoma City

Commercial trucks, also known as tractor trailers, semi trucks, 18 wheelers, etc. can weigh anywhere from 10,000 pounds to more than 80,000 pounds fully loaded. That kind of weight in a speeding vehicle creates a tremendous amount of impact in a crash. The size and weight of these commercial vehicles make truck accidents far more serious than passenger car collisions. If a passenger car is hit by a truck, the car’s occupants are much more likely to be killed or seriously injured than anyone in the truck. Motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians fare even worse.

At Cain Law, our experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorneys help people who have been hurt in all types of truck accidents. We also fight for the rights of those who have lost loved ones due to negligent truckers, trucking companies, shippers, brokers, or other parties. Our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers have more than 25 years of experience successfully pursuing compensation for victims in these complex cases. Attorney Monty Cain is a member of APITLA, which is an association of accomplished attorneys across the country who are committed to victims of trucking collisions. He has recovered millions of dollars for crash victims and their families, and he has been recognized for his work by the National Association of Top 100 Trial Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Schedule a free consultation with the semi truck accident attorneys at Cain Law today to discuss how we can help you. Our team can get to work right away developing a strong case for the maximum compensation you need.

Types of Truck Accident Cases in Oklahoma City We Handle

Every truck accident is different in its own way. But there are common types among the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes that we’ve all heard about on Interstate 40, I-44, and I-35 in Oklahoma City and across the state.

The most common kinds of collisions between large trucks and other motor vehicles are:

Blind Spot Accidents

Due to the massive size of commercial trucks, there are many blind spots around them. With an attached trailer, the average semi-truck is 72 feet long. This creates large blind spots for truck drivers, which span the following areas:

  • 20 to 25 feet in front of the truck
  • 200 feet directly behind the truck
  • One lane of traffic next to the left side of the truck and two lanes to the right of the truck

Sideswipes

Sideswipe collisions occur when one vehicle swipes the side of another vehicle. Common causes of this type of truck accident include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Failing to look before changing lanes
  • Oversteering in curves
  • Sudden braking that causes the trailer to skid

Rear-end collisions

While rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents, they can be deadly when a large truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it. Rear-end truck collisions occur when a truck fails to slow or stop in time to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of it. Common causes of truck rear-end collisions include:

  • Speeding – According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 23 percent of large truck crashes occurred when CMV drivers were traveling too fast for conditions.
  • Distracted driving – Traveling thousands of miles over the course of a few days can be monotonous. Bored drivers may be distracted from texting, making phone calls, looking out the window, adjusting the radio, eating, drinking, smoking, or doing anything else that takes their hands off the wheel or their mind off the task of driving.
  • Fatigued driving –Truck drivers work long hours each week – even when they comply with the FMCSA’s hours-of-service regulations. Some drivers get up early and hit the road before they are fully alert, or they may drive long distances. Many truckers travel at night when it is easier to get drowsy. Drowsy and fatigued driving can be lethal when drivers are at the highly complex controls of a tractor-trailer.
  • Following too closely – Some truck drivers may follow too closely as a bad habit while others do it to intimidate other drivers and get them to move out of their way. If a trucker follows another vehicle too closely, they may lack the time and distance to avoid a crash.
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol – Drug and alcohol impairment make it difficult for truck drivers to judge speeds and distances, handle a large truck in a safe manner, and make sound decisions. Any blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or higher is considered legally impaired for truck drivers in Oklahoma.
  • Mechanical failure – Tire blowouts, brake problems, and other mechanical failures can sometimes cause rear-end accidents. In these cases, a manufacturer or mechanic may be liable.

Angle accidents

These crashes are also known as side-impact or T-bone collisions, and they involve the front of a truck slamming into the side of a vehicle. These can be particularly dangerous accidents because passenger vehicles have less protection for occupants along their sides, while all the speed and weight of the truck is behind it when it hits.

Head-on collisions

A head-on or front-to-front collision is among the most deadly accidents because the weight and speed of both vehicles compound the force of impact. When a truck crosses the centerline into an oncoming vehicle’s path, it is likely due to the truck driver’s impairment from fatigue or distracted truck driving.

Underride

Underride accidents are a particularly dangerous type of collision because a much smaller vehicle can slide beneath the trailer that sits higher up from the road. An underride can damage or even sheer off the upper portion of a car, leaving anyone in the car vulnerable to serious harm. Underride guards are required on the rear of most large commercial trucks, but S. standards do not provide full protection, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The potential for a deadly underride is very real in rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and T-bone / side-impact collisions.

Jackknife accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when the truck’s trailer skids and forms a 90-degree angle with the cab. Jackknife accidents usually happen when the truck loses traction, such as during a sudden driving maneuver. Common causes of jackknife accidents include:

  • Sudden braking or brakes locking up
  • Driver losing control of the vehicle
  • The driver taking a turn too quickly
  • Speeding
  • Traveling too fast in rain, snow, or ice
  • Tire blowouts
  • Improperly loaded trailers

Cargo shifts/cargo spills

When the cargo that an 18-wheeler is carrying has not been properly secured, it may come loose and move suddenly in turn, during a sudden stop, or on a steep grade. The abrupt transfer of thousands of pounds can cause the truck driver to lose control and, for example, sideswipe another vehicle. Cargo sliding forward may prevent the semi-truck from stopping in time to avoid a rear-end collision, or movement to the side can tip the truck and cause it to roll over. Improperly loaded cargo that falls from a semi-truck can hit other vehicles in traffic or cause vehicles to crash. If hazardous material is spilled, it can cause damage to property and the environment, as well as personal injury.

Rollovers

Large trucks have a high center of gravity that increases their risk of rolling over, particularly in curves or on highway entrance and exit ramps. Even high winds, as are common on the plains of Oklahoma, can cause a large truck to tip and roll over. The sudden transfer of weight in a cargo shift can also lead to a rollover.

Regardless of what type of truck wreck you have been hurt in, you need to talk to a knowledgeable Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn about your legal options. The trucking companies (or “carriers”) that put most long-haul trucks and truckers on the road act quickly after accidents to protect their financial interests. On your own, you are no match for their lawyers and insurance companies that would deny you proper payment for your losses.

Talk to an Experienced Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyer Now

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, contact the dedicated personal injury attorneys at Cain Law today. We will respond promptly to set up a free consultation and begin work on your claim.

Our dedicated truck accident law firm has created an Immediate/Rapid Response Team to preserve evidence and investigate your claim. You can count on our team to:

  • Meet with the investigating trooper or officer
  • Obtain statements from first responders and witnesses
  • Get access to accident reports and first-responder reports, 911 calls, and photos and videos of the vehicles and the scene
  • Consult with an accident reconstruction expert to examine and document evidence from the scene, such as gouges in the road and skid marks, as well as to inspect the vehicles involved
  • Download black box data from the vehicles
  • Send a letter to the truck driver, the motor carrier, and related insurance companies to preserve any evidence related to the crash, including the trucker’s cellphone and Hours of Service logs

At no charge and no obligation from you, we will review your accident claim and discuss the legal options available to you. We want to help you maximize the compensation you recover for your medical expenses and other losses. We can also draw upon our strong ties to the community to help you with other immediate needs, such as accessing proper health care and having your vehicle repaired.

Contact Cain Law today. Our truck accident attorneys are happy to meet with you in our offices in the greater Oklahoma City area or at your home, hospital room, or office.