Truck Accident Attorneys in Yukon, OK

Truck drivers need experience and skill to operate large, heavy vehicles like commercial trucks or tractor-trailers. When truck drivers become careless or reckless behind the wheel, they put others on the road at risk of serious if not fatal injuries.

Given the size and weight of a loaded commercial truck, and the extreme force it exerts upon a passenger vehicle in a collision, the occupants of those smaller vehicles often sustain severe, lifelong injuries. Truck accident victims deserve to be compensated for their injuries and the total extent of the losses they suffer.

Contact Cain Law today to talk to one of our skilled Yukon truck accident attorneys about pursuing the financial recovery you need. Firm founder Clayton Cain is a respected truck accident lawyer and has been an active member of national trucking litigation groups such as the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys and the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. These groups are dedicated to making the roads safer and educating attorneys on how to expertly handle trucking accident cases.

Call us now to schedule a free consultation and learn about your legal options.

Why Truck Accidents Are Different

Truck accidents are far more complicated than other kinds of motor vehicle accidents for several reasons:

More Severe Injuries

Given the large size of commercial vehicles, truck accidents tend to result in more severe injuries. More severe injuries mean longer, more expensive treatment. This can make resolving a legal claim more difficult because medical recovery may be ongoing when a claim is resolved, necessitating that the compensation in the claim include damages for ongoing and future medical treatment and personal care.

More Potentially Liable Parties/Insurance Companies Involved

While most passenger vehicle accidents involve only the drivers, a number of parties may be involved in a truck accident. This includes not only the truck driver, but also the trucking company that employs the driver, the truck’s owner (if the truck is not owned by the trucking company), the freight company that loads the truck, the truck’s mechanic, the truck manufacturer, the broker, and the shipper. Any one of or several of these parties may bear liability for your truck accident.

There are also complicated employment relationships with drivers that must be considered in truck accident cases, such as owner/operator and lease agreements. In addition, independent contractors can be considered statutory employees of the trucking company.

Finally, these companies often have multiple layers of insurance coverage, making it difficult to determine what kinds of financial resources are available to compensate you. For example, the motor carrier’s insurance company is required to pay an injured member of the public even if the insurance company has a coverage defense against the driver or another liable company.

More Complex Regulations

Federal and state regulations govern the trucking industry, imposing skill and licensing requirements on drivers, limitations on how long drivers can be behind the wheel, what cargo trucks can carry, and how trucks must be maintained. When truck drivers and the companies of the trucking industry violate these regulations, it can lead to a truck or truck driver getting into an accident.

Due to the complex nature of truck accident claims, it is crucial that you have a knowledgeable legal team on your side to fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve.

More Expensive to Resolve

Because truck accident victims are often facing off against deep-pocketed corporations and insurance companies, these cases are expensive to take on. You need a law firm that has the financial resources to battle the trucking companies and their insurance companies.

These crashes frequently require a rapid investigation response team to inspect and investigate the scene and vehicles; interview witnesses, first responders, and investigating officers; and gather and preserve evidence, such as 911 calls and body and dash cameras. At Cain Law, we have a team in place to launch an immediate investigation, as well as the extensive resources to see your case through to settlement or verdict.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you’ve been injured in a crash that wasn’t your fault, a truck accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your injuries and damages by:

  • Thoroughly investigating your accident, including identifying and securing critical evidence in your case that may be in the possession of the trucking companies, such as the driver’s logs, the truck black box data, and the load manifest
  • Working with experts to build a strong, persuasive legal claim to show how your accident occurred, how the truck driver or trucking company was at fault, the extent of your injuries, and the financial damages you’ve incurred
  • Negotiating with the trucking companies and their insurers to secure a full, fair settlement of your claims
  • Preparing to take your case to trial, if necessary, to give you the opportunity to secure the maximum compensation you need to recover

Our attorneys will skillfully handle all the details related to your case so you can focus on healing and being with your family.

Securing Evidence in a Truck Accident Claim

Pursuing a truck accident claim requires examining many more pieces of evidence than are examined in other kinds of motor vehicle accident cases, such as:

  • The truck driver’s logs, showing how long the driver had been behind the wheel prior to the accident
  • The truck driver’s toxicology report, if a tox screen was performed
  • The truck’s “black box,” which can show the truck’s position, speed, and possibly the driver’s inputs
  • The load manifest, showing what the truck was loaded with
  • The truck’s maintenance logs

Truck accident cases also require the review of police accident reports, vehicle damage reports, accident scene photos, and eyewitness statements. At Cain Law, we have extensive experience investigating these cases and will work quickly to preserve all the evidence in your claim.

Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Yukon

If you have been the victim of a truck accident in Yukon, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the injuries and damages you sustained in your accident, including:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages for time missed from work during your recovery
  • Lost earning potential, if your injuries prevent you from returning to the kind of work you did pre-accident
  • Lost quality of life
  • Pain and suffering

Families who have lost a loved one in a truck accident may pursue a wrongful death claim, seeking damages for:

  • The victim’s pain and suffering before death
  • Loss of wages and benefits
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Loss of companionship

Contact an experienced truck accident attorney in Yukon to discuss the kinds of compensation you may receive in your truck accident claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Truck Crash in Yukon?

After you’ve been involved in a truck crash in Yukon, OK, you have a limited period in which to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages. Under Oklahoma law, the statute of limitations on a lawsuit seeking compensation for personal injuries suffered in a truck accident is two years, measured from the date of the accident. If you fail to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires in your case, the court may permanently dismiss your suit, and you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Yukon include:

  • Truck driver fatigue, usually caused by driving past government-mandated limits in order to meet strict delivery schedules
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
  • Distracted driving, typically caused by the use of cellphones, radios, or GPS units
  • Speeding and other reckless driving
  • Unsafe lane changes, including failing to signal or check mirrors/blind spots
  • Unsafe left or right turns, caused by a failure to signal, failure to yield to traffic in the intersection, or failure to check mirrors and blind spots
  • Inexperience, which can lead a truck driver to not know how to properly control their rig or what to do in an emergency situation
  • Improper or unsafe cargo, which can cause a truck driver to lose control if cargo shifts or the truck is hauling past its capacity
  • Inadequate truck maintenance
  • Defective truck parts

At Cain Law, we will meticulously investigate the cause of your truck accident and work with accident reconstruction specialists to develop a strong case in your favor.

Talk to a Yukon Truck Accident Attorney Now

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, you need experienced, aggressive legal representation to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. Contact Cain Law to schedule a free consultation with a Yukon truck accident lawyer now.