Norman Truck Accident Attorneys
Norman may be widely known as a college town. However, it is also a thriving and growing manufacturing and distribution hub.
Many companies such as Johnson Controls and SYSCO Foods produce and distribute products in Norman. While that activity is great for the region’s economy, it leads to higher-than-usual trucking volume on local roadways.
On any given day, Norman has heavy truck traffic on routes like I-35, U.S. Highway 77 and State Highway 9. With heavy truck traffic comes a high risk of accidents that can cause devastating harm. If you are the victim of an 18-wheeler crash in Norman or one of the surrounding areas in Cleveland County, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal trucking crash, you need to take immediate action and get help from experienced truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma.
Dedicated to Serving Truck Accident Victims in Norman, Oklahoma
If you have suffered injuries in a trucking collision, our personal injury lawyers in Norman are here to help. We are available 24/7 and 365 days a year to discuss your case. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you at your home, the hospital, or wherever is most convenient for you. Our rapid-response team can immediately move into action and launch an in-depth investigation of your case.
When it comes to trucking cases, it is extremely important to act fast. Trucking companies will go to great lengths to conceal or destroy evidence. The faster you contact an attorney, the better your odds of success.
For more than 25 years, our founding attorney, Monty L. Cain, has protected the interests of injury victims throughout Oklahoma. He is a member of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America as well as the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has hand-picked a legal team that knows how to handle challenging truck accident cases and seek maximum compensation for clients.
From the very beginning of your case, we will pay close attention to you. We can even help you get the medical help you need and help you find resources and other assistance while we work on your case. We won’t charge you anything for our services unless we recover money for you. Contact us today to schedule your own personalized free consultation.
What Makes Truck Accidents Different from Other Accidents in Norman?
Not all attorneys understand the nuances of handling a complex truck accident in Oklahoma. It is very important to work with a law firm that understands the differences. For instance, here are some of the ways that trucking cases are different:
Catastrophic injuries. Commercial vehicles are typically much larger and heavier than regular passenger vehicles. Tractor-trailer combinations can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds (or more by permit). They can also include multiple trailers, flatbeds, refrigerated cargo or hazardous materials. These factors raise the risk of serious, life-changing injuries occurring in a crash.
Different type of accidents. Truck crashes can happen in the blink of an eye and may be much different than other types of accidents. They can include underrides (where a car goes under the trailer), jackknifes (where the tractor and trailer fold to an acute angle), right turn overrides (where a trailer tracks over the top of a car in its blind spot) and many other unique types of crashes.
Need for immediate investigation. In car accidents, it often takes weeks or months for insurance companies to have vehicles assessed and repaired. In the meantime, photos and other evidence can be obtained. In a trucking crash, however, the company may repair and conceal evidence within days or even hours of the crash. You must move fast to protect your rights.
Multiple defendants. A truck accident case may involve numerous defendants. So, it is important to have experienced trial lawyers on your side who know how to balance all of the competing interests and leverage your case for a significant settlement.
Regulations. A number of federal and state regulations dictate how trucking companies and their drivers must operate. It is important to work with an attorney who understands these regulations in order to establish negligence and your right to compensation. These rules cover issues such as:
- Hours of service violations
- Texting and cell phone use for commercial drivers
- Weight limits
- HAZMAT regulations
- Inspection and maintenance logs.
What Are Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Norman?
Many truck accidents result from the negligence of others. In that sense, they are entirely preventable. Some leading causes of truck accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Driving while drowsy (driver fatigue)
- Lack of inspection and maintenance
- Failure to properly load and secure cargo
- Defective parts.
At Cain Law, we will consult with industry experts and work hard to make sure your case is as strong as possible in order to pursue fair and just compensation for you and your family.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Norman, OK Semi-truck Accident?
Unlike a car accident, a truck crash case may involve multiple parties such as:
- Truck drivers. The driver is usually the first person we look to for negligent conduct in an 18-wheeler accident case.
- Trucking companies. While drivers are responsible for safe operation of the truck, some trucking companies force their drivers to take risks that jeopardize the public. They may also engage in negligent hiring, training and supervision of drivers. The company may fail to exercise the proper care in performing vehicle inspections or repairs and overseeing maintenance. In some cases, trucking companies fail to enforce federal and state regulations and their own policies.
- Falsified maintenance logs and improperly maintained trucks and trailers can lead to serious injuries, too.
- Truck or trailer owner. Often, one company owns the cargo, while another company owns the trailer, another owns the truck (tractor unit) and yet another employs the driver. A tractor and trailer may also be leased by one party to another.
- Shipping broker. In some situations, the freight broker who orders the load may have the truck overloaded or the wrong kind of freight put on the truck.
- Warehouse owner. In an effort to save money and maximize profits, some shippers and warehouses will overload freight, leading to an unsafe truck.
- Truck or truck part manufacturer. Though less common, there are times when a part is defective, or a truck manufacturer has needed to issue a serious recall due to a defect.
No matter who is responsible for your injury, we are devoted to identifying all sources of compensation in order to increase and maximize your compensation.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Norman?
Truck accidents can cause devastating injuries that change people’s lives forever. Cain Law will seek the maximum compensation available for your injuries. This compensation may include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages (rare but often available in the most severe cases).
When a loved one has died in a truck accident, the next-of-kin may be entitled to compensation for things like:
- Funeral costs
- Burial expenses
- Lost support
- Loss of affection, love, and companionship
When the stakes are high, trust Cain Law. We have a proven record of success and the experience and resources to fight for you.
Our Norman Truck Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Help You
At Cain Law, we understand that following a truck crash, you may be out of work and trying to recover from your injuries. You could face huge medical expenses and suffer from pain and anguish. Although it can be tough to think about talking to a lawyer, you can be assured that Cain Law will serve you with the professionalism and compassion you deserve.
Additionally, at Cain Law, you will pay nothing unless we succeed at getting you compensation. You truly have nothing to lose by calling us today for a free consultation.