The injuries that our clients suffer from crashes involving tractor-trailers or other large 18-wheeler trucks often haunt them for years to come. Apart from the initial medical bills and time off work, truck accident victims may suffer from lingering pain and be unable to do the job they did before the crash. To add to the stress of the situation, the truck’s driver often denies fault in the accident, making the victim feel hopeless.
Semi Truck Accident Lawyers in Oklahoma
The dedicated Oklahoma City semi truck accident attorneys at Cain Law are committed to guiding you through your health recovery and focusing on recovering maximum financial compensation for you after being injured by a negligent trucking company or driver. We can discuss your legal rights and options during a free consultation. Give us a call or contact us online to get started on the path to recovery.
Top-Rated Truck Accident Lawyer in Oklahoma
At Cain Law, our highly educated, trained, and respected Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers have more than 100 combined years of experience successfully handling these difficult cases.
Founder Monty Cain has secured millions of dollars for crash victims and their families, earning state and national recognition from his peers, being named as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer, a Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Association of Trial Lawyers, Top 10 Trucking Lawyer, Top 25 Brain Injury Lawyer, and Top 25 Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer, and in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
All of our attorneys are members of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA), a national organization dedicated to educating and sharing information about trucking litigation. Additionally, our legal team has helped change the law so that victims injured in commercial motor vehicle crashes can pursue commercial motor carriers individually for negligent hiring of a commercial driver and a poor safety record and culture.
About Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Oklahoma City, OK
Clients trust our talented legal team because:
- We have extensive knowledge of the strict regulations that govern the trucking industry.
- Cain Law is a leader in Oklahoma trucking law, securing a victory at the Oklahoma Supreme Court holding trucking companies accountable for hiring unqualified truck drivers in the Fox v. Mize case, 428 P.3rd
- We receive many referrals from other Oklahoma big rig accident lawyers who have confidence in our track record of success holding truck drivers and truck companies accountable for injuries and damages they cause because of their negligence and poor safety culture.
- Our rapid response team of local and national experts works quickly to determine who should be held liable and to preserve evidence against the at-fault party.
- Your health recovery is of paramount importance, and we help you find a medical provider if you are having a hard time finding one.
- We work with an extensive network of experts who can evaluate your injuries and determine how they will affect you in the future.
- We fight fiercely and relentlessly for the full and fair compensation you deserve.
- From the first time you meet with our compassionate Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer, you will find that we are genuinely concerned about you and your family. Our team will get to work on your truck accident case immediately. We will stay in regular contact with you to discuss the progress of your claim.
Schedule a free consultation now with an experienced truck accident attorney from Cain Law, and let us take some of the stress off you.
How We Investigate Truck Accident Claims in Oklahoma City, OK
Commercial truck accident claims are often much more complicated than crashes involving two passenger cars. That’s because the injuries are generally more severe, and the companies involved have deep pockets to dispute claims. It is crucial to have a personal injury lawyer on your side who has extensive experience investigating commercial truck accident cases and assessing the full amount of damages you deserve.
When our team takes your case, here’s what you can expect:
- We start by collecting all the evidence related to your crash. This includes law enforcement accident reports, witness statements, photos and notes from the scene, trucker logs, black box data, cellphone records for the driver, commercial motor carriers’ and truck drivers’ violations of rules regulating trucks under the FMCSA, and safety records for all the parties involved. Our rapid response team of local and national experts acts quickly to preserve evidence at the scene, damage to the vehicles, downloads of the black box, and dash cams. Our attorneys immediately request vehicle inspections and send letters to preserve document evidence of drivers’ qualifications, drivers’ logs of hours driven, truck maintenance, and inspections because trucking companies are only required to maintain the information we will need for a short amount of time.
- We identify and go after the party that is responsible for compensating you. In trucking accident cases, many parties could be liable for your accident. We may pursue compensation from the truck’s driver or owner, the trucking company, the owner or loader of the cargo, the company responsible for the truck’s repair or maintenance, or the manufacturer or distributor of defective truck parts. These parties and the insurance companies involved may try to play the blame game to avoid responsibility, but our experienced and dedicated semi truck accident attorneys fiercely and relentlessly pursue maximum compensation for you.
- We track your medical treatment and ensure you are getting the proper medical care. You may have found that your regular doctor does not want to be involved in litigation. If that is the case, we can help you find a doctor to treat you. We also make sure your serious injuries are thoroughly documented. We help you start a journal to keep track of the physical and emotional effects of the crash.
- We hire medical and financial experts to evaluate how much your injury will truly cost you. Accidents involving large vehicles often result in life-altering injuries. Our team of experts can calculate the cost of future treatment you may need, medications, alterations to your home, and long-term care needs. They can also factor in how much income you will lose over the course of your lifetime due to your severe injuries.
- We aggressively fight for a maximum truck accident settlement or a jury verdict. Although the trucking company may try to drag out the process, our firm has the resources and the stamina to see your claim through all the way to a jury verdict if that’s what it takes. Our big rig accident lawyers are tough negotiators and fierce litigators. Our main focus is always on doing what’s best for you. Our team has secured over $250 million for Oklahoma clients.
We recommend that you do not give any statements or sign anything with the insurance company after your crash. Let our dedicated Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers manage all those communications to ensure your rights are protected. Schedule a free consultation with our team now to discuss your claim and learn how we can help you and your family.
Available Compensation in an Oklahoma Truck Accident Claim
A truck accident can leave you facing unexpected bills and major life changes, but state law allows you to seek financial compensation to help with your recovery. If your case goes to trial, we will reference the Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instructions. The types and amounts you can get will depend on the facts of your case, but you could receive compensation for:
- Medical Bills: The costs of hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, and any future medical expenses tied to the crash, including those related to aggravations of pre-existing conditions
- Income Losses: Reductions in your usual income due to injuries that kept you from working and losses in your future earning ability if your injuries limit your long-term career options, as well as impairment of earning capacity for minor children and loss of services
- Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle, the reduction in value of your vehicle, and costs to repair broken personal property
- Pain and Suffering: Physical pain and suffering, emotional strain, mental suffering, and lost quality of life caused by your injuries
- Permanent Disabilities and Impairments: Physical impairments, permanent disabilities, and costs to renovate your home or vehicle to accommodate them
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Physical scarring and disfigurement caused by the accident, as well as the accompanying harm to your self-image and confidence
- Loss of Companionship and Consortium: Loss of spousal consortium, parental consortium, care, guidance, and support in cases where crash injuries disrupt family life or lead to a wrongful death claim
- Wrongful Death Damages: Burial and funeral expenses, lost financial support, and other wrongful death damages
Cases involving a wanton disregard for the safety of others may justify pursuing punitive damages from the at-fault party.
Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents in Oklahoma
To win a truck accident lawsuit, you must be able to show how the truck driver or other responsible party caused the accident. This requires an in-depth investigation into the semi-truck collision. Some of the most common causes of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City truck accidents include:
Driver Error
Most truck accident cases are based on driver error. Driving a commercial vehicle that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds can be difficult. Truck drivers may swerve into other lanes, overcorrect, follow too closely, fail to yield, or commit other driver errors that cause serious trucking accidents.
Distracted Driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3,308 people were killed in traffic accidents during a recent year because of distracted driving. Truck driving involves hours of traveling long distances, often with little entertainment. Truck drivers may turn to cell phones, radios, or other devices to pass the time. However, this decision can lead to fatal injuries.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers and companies are expected to adhere to hours of service rules, which were implemented to protect the public from fatigued drivers and large truck crashes. However, some of them choose to ignore these safety measures to prioritize profit.
Drunk or Drugged Driving
Semi truck drivers may use drugs to stay awake or may have problems with drugs or alcohol. Impaired drivers pose a risk to all other motorists because it is harder for them to control the vehicle in a safe manner while in an impaired state.
Mechanical Defects
Defective brakes, faulty engines, or other failing auto parts can cause serious tractor-trailer accidents if they occur at high speeds or if the driver loses control of the large truck. If your truck accident was caused by mechanical defects, you may have a claim against the truck or parts manufacturer.
Problems With Cargo
Some truckers transport up to 48,000 pounds of cargo. If the cargo unexpectedly shifts during transport, the truck may roll over or jackknife. Additionally, trucks carrying fuel or other hazardous substances may spill them onto the roadway, posing an additional hazard.
Speeding
On average, it takes commercial trucks 40 percent more time to come to a complete stop than average passenger vehicles. If the truck driver is speeding, stopping will take even longer. Because so many trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, many large truck accidents occur every year due to speeding or driving too fast for conditions.
Traffic Congestion
Drivers who are speeding may not be able to stop in time if they suddenly run into a traffic jam. Other times, they might act aggressively and cause other vehicles to run off the road or hit other vehicles when they swerve away from the intimidating truck.
Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions, construction zones, and poorly maintained roads are sometimes to blame for semi truck accidents. If these factors contributed to your accident, we can explore all options for pursuing compensation.
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, reach out to Cain Law for immediate legal representation and guidance.
Types of Truck Accidents
Some of the most common types of truck accidents in Oklahoma City include:
Truck drivers who are not paying attention, fall asleep at the wheel, or are impaired by drugs or alcohol may cause fatal head-on collisions. These accidents are particularly dangerous because they often occur at high speeds and the driver in the passenger vehicle has no way of anticipating them. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a head-on collision with a careless truck driver, we can help.
Some truck drivers follow too closely or try to intimidate drivers of smaller cars. This can put motorists at additional risk of a rear-end collision since trucks require more distance to safely stop.
Truck drivers may fail to check blind spots or yield the right of way to other motorists, causing collisions with them.
Underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle gets trapped underneath a trailer. This can happen when commercial truck drivers make illegal turns. The resulting crashes can be devastating as the truck can shear off the top of the passenger vehicle underneath it.
Big rigs have a wider turning radius than passenger vehicles. Truck drivers may swing too wide at intersections and collide with motorists in adjoining lanes. Other wide-turn accidents occur when drivers overcorrect after turning too wide.
Commercial truck drivers may get tired behind the wheel or have to make stops, leading them sometimes to park illegally on the side of the road. This can be a danger for unsuspecting motorists, especially at night.
With 18 wheels traveling thousands of miles every week, tire blowouts are more common on semi-trailers. However, tire blowouts can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and devastating collisions.
Semi truck drivers travel thousands of miles every year, transporting various types of goods. These items can shift during the commute, which can increase the likelihood of an accident. Cargo that shifts during transport can cause rollover or jackknife accidents because the weight is not properly distributed. Cargo that comes loose can fall out of the truck and into the path of an unsuspecting motorist. Federal and state regulations exist to protect motorists. They dictate such things as how much weight a truck can carry and how cargo must be secured. Our team can investigate whether the trucking company violated these rules and help hold them responsible for their carelessness.
What Types of Trucks Are Involved in Oklahoma City Truck Accidents?
Many different types of trucks travel through Oklahoma City every day, and any of them can be involved in a serious accident. Common types of trucks involved in Oklahoma City truck wrecks include:
- Semi-trucks
- 18-wheelers
- Tanker trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Tow trucks
- Box trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Cement mixers
- Refrigerated trucks
- Logging trucks
- Grain trucks
- Car haulers
- Utility trucks
- Construction trucks
Truck Accident Liability
Trucking operations often involve many parties, all of which may share some liability for the damages you sustained. An experienced attorney from our law firm can explore options for pursuing compensation against all responsible parties, which may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck
- The broker of the load
- The maintenance company
- The cargo/shipper company
- Brokers
- Parts or vehicle manufacturers
Our truck accident attorneys can conduct an in-depth investigation to determine which parties contributed to your accident. We then build an aggressive case against them. We are ready to start on your case immediately.
our top priority
What to Do After a Truck Accident
If you are ever involved in a truck crash in Oklahoma City, it is important that you try to stay calm. Ask for medical assistance if you or your passengers are injured. Then, take the following steps to protect your claim:
- Check for injuries. Check yourself and others for injury, if you’re able.
- Call 911. Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance.
- Seek medical attention. Seek medical attention and treatment for any injuries you sustained.
- Take pictures. Take photographs of all vehicles involved, debris on the roadway, and skid marks, if you’re able to do so.
- Get contact information. Ask the driver for their contact, employment, and insurance information. Ask any witnesses for their names and contact information.
- Preserve evidence. Keep any photos or videos you made of the accident in a safe place.
- Follow doctor’s orders. Follow all of your doctor’s orders for your care, including any work and leisure activity restrictions.
- Contact an experienced big rig accident lawyer. You should not have to go through this alone. Contact an attorney who is experienced in pursuing truck accident claims and who will guide you through the process.
- Maintain records. During the course of your truck accident claim, you may begin to accumulate many records, including medical records, medical bills, pay stubs that indicate your lost wages, repair estimates, and benefits statements. Maintain all documentation and evidence of your injuries and the financial costs associated with them.
- Keep a pain journal. You have the right to pursue compensation for the pain and suffering you endure in a personal injury accident. However, proving these damages after the fact can sometimes be difficult. By keeping a contemporaneous pain journal, you can document how your injuries affect your life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oklahoma Trucking Regulations
Truck crashes often raise questions about the rules that trucking companies and drivers must follow. Federal and state laws impose numerous strict requirements, and proof of violations can play a major role in establishing fault after a crash. Below are some straightforward answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Oklahoma trucking regulations.
What Are the Most Commonly Violated Trucking Regulations?
Many truck accident cases involve violations of safety rules by truck drivers or trucking companies. Some common examples of violations include truck drivers operating for more hours than the law permits, skipping required rest breaks, or failing to keep accurate logbooks. Others involve failing to properly load or secure cargo, skipping mandatory inspections, or driving vehicles that aren’t in good condition. Instances of driving under the influence and speeding are also unfortunately common in truck accident investigations. Any of these violations can substantially increase the risk of a serious accident and directly impact liability.
What Evidence Can Prove Fault in a Truck Accident?
Strong evidence can make all the difference when it comes to proving fault after an Oklahoma City truck accident. Examples of evidence that might be useful include:
- Electronic logging device data
- Truck inspection records
- Truck maintenance reports
- Driver activity logs
- Black box data
- Cargo loading documents
- Eyewitness accounts
- Dashcam or traffic camera video footage
- Official crash reports
An experienced Oklahoma truck accident lawyer from Cain Law can identify evidence that supports your personal injury case and take swift action to preserve it before it disappears or degrades. They can also present this evidence in a way that clearly demonstrates what went wrong and who is responsible.
What Are the Weight Limits for Semi-Trucks in Oklahoma?
For most semi-trucks, the standard maximum is 80,000 pounds gross weight on interstate highways in Oklahoma. On non-interstate state highways, loads can weigh up to 90,000 pounds, provided approval is obtained from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and a special overweight permit is issued. A single axle cannot exceed 20,000 pounds, and a tandem axle group cannot exceed 34,000 pounds. Operating a truck over these limits without a permit can lead to fines and liability if a crash occurs.
Common Insurance Tactics in Truck Accident Cases
Insurance companies fight hard and use various truck insurance tactics to limit their payouts after truck accidents. One common tactic is pushing quick settlement offers before the full extent of your injuries is clear. Insurers usually make these offers early on in the process in the hopes that you will accept them without realizing how much your case is really worth.
Another typical tactic involves trying to shift the blame to you. Adjusters might argue that you somehow caused or contributed to the crash, even if evidence suggests otherwise. They might also downplay your injuries or claim that your medical treatment was unnecessary or unrelated to the wreck.
Delays are another common strategy. Many insurers drag out the claims process unnecessarily, hoping that you will accept less than you deserve out of desperation.
A lawyer can identify and counter these underhanded tactics by reviewing the evidence, consulting experts, and building a strong case on your behalf. With the right legal support, you can avoid getting shortchanged by insurance strategies designed to weaken your truck accident claim.
