Truck accidents are different from other traffic collisions, from the extent of the damage they do to the complexity of pursuing compensation in their aftermath. Here’s why that is and what that could mean for your truck accident case in Oklahoma.
Size Difference
There’s a significant size difference between passenger cars and commercial trucks. A typical car weighs about 3,000 to 4,000 pounds. On the other hand, a fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When a truck collides with a car, it transfers tremendous force onto the smaller vehicle – and anyone unfortunate enough to be riding in it.
Moreover, the massive size of commercial trucks means they take longer to bring to a stop than smaller vehicles. This increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions and other types of crashes. Furthermore, the sheer size of trucks also creates larger blind spots, making it harder for truck drivers to see smaller vehicles around them.
Federal Trucking Regulations
The trucking industry is subject to considerable regulatory oversight. Federal and state regulations cover everything from hours of service (how long drivers can drive without taking a break) and annual vehicle inspections to truck maintenance and legal alcohol limit for commercial drivers, which is much lower than it is for passenger drivers. Because violations of trucking regulations often play a key role in crashes, it’s critical to work with an Oklahoma City truck accident attorney who understands these laws and how they might apply to your case.
Multiple Parties Responsible for the Accident
Perhaps most crucially, various parties can share liability for a truck accident, including:
- The truck driver – If the driver was speeding, impaired, fatigued, or simply made a careless mistake, they may be liable for a crash.
- The trucking company – Trucking companies must properly maintain their fleets, adequately train their drivers, and monitor their drivers for dangerous behavior. If they don’t, they can be liable for a collision.
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers – If a defective part contributed to a truck crash, the company that made or designed the part may be liable.
- Cargo loaders – Unbalanced or overloaded trucks are a factor in many crashes. In these cases, cargo loaders may be liable if they didn’t do their jobs correctly.
- Maintenance providers – A failure to adequately repair vehicles could make third-party truck maintenance crews liable for a resulting crash.
Pursuing full and fair compensation after a truck accident often means investigating the crash to determine all potentially liable parties and pursuing personal injury claims against each.
Hurt in a Truck Accident? Contact Cain Law Today for a Free Consultation
If you’ve suffered severe injuries in a truck accident in Oklahoma, you deserve to focus on healing and getting better. Let Cain Law focus on the rest. We have decades of experience providing legal representation for truck crash victims. We can put this experience to work on your behalf. It’s essential to work with a personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable about these differences and who can deploy a rapid response team to take immediate steps to protect your legal rights. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers.
