Truck Accident Attorney in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Truck accidents shatter lives in an instant, leaving victims and their families grappling with profound physical, emotional, and financial hardships. These collisions often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, which can outweigh passenger vehicles by tens of thousands of pounds. 

Survivors might endure ongoing pain, extensive medical treatments, lost wages, permanent disability, and a diminished quality of life, while loved ones mourn irreplaceable losses. The aftermath brings overwhelming stress from mounting bills, insurance disputes, and the challenge of rebuilding their life. This is a harsh reality that no one should face alone, yet many do, unaware of the support available to hold responsible parties accountable and seek fair recovery.

Justin Lowe & Associates provides legal representation and support to people involved in truck accidents. Located in Oklahoma City the firm serves clients throughout the state, offering guidance to pursue justice after truck accidents. Please contact Justin Lowe & Associates today for a free consultation if you've been affected by a truck accident.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents often stem from various factors, including human error, mechanical issues, or adverse environmental conditions. Identifying these causes helps victims build stronger cases by pinpointing liability.

Driver fatigue:

Extended hours on the road can push even seasoned truck drivers beyond their limits.

• Truck drivers often work long hours to meet tight delivery schedules, which can lead to drowsiness that impairs their reaction times and judgment.

• Federal regulations limit driving hours, but violations happen when companies prioritize profits over safety.

• Signs of fatigue include drifting lanes or delayed braking, which can turn minor errors into major collisions.

Federal regulations limit driving hours, but violations happen when companies prioritize profits over safety.

Distracted driving:

Distractions divert a driver’s attention, instantly creating dangerous situations on the road.

• Using a cell phone, eating, or adjusting navigation systems diverts drivers' attention from the road.

• Even momentary distractions at high speeds can lead to devastating collisions with smaller vehicles.

• Data reveals that distractions play a significant role in truck-related accidents each year.

Combating distraction is essential for improving roadway safety and lowering crash statistics.

Mechanical failures:

Trucking safety depends heavily on proper vehicle maintenance and equipment checks.

• Poor maintenance, such as faulty brakes or worn tires, causes loss of control.

• Overloaded trailers shift their weight unexpectedly, increasing the risk of rollover.

• Regular inspections are required, but negligence by trucking companies leads to preventable breakdowns.

Proper truck maintenance significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic failures.

Adverse weather conditions:

Weather changes can instantly transform safe roads into hazardous ones for truck drivers.

• Rain, ice, and fog diminish visibility and traction, making it more challenging for large trucks to maneuver.

• Drivers who fail to adjust their speed or use caution in bad weather increase the likelihood of accidents.

• In Oklahoma, sudden storms can exacerbate these issues on interstate routes.

Safe driving practices in poor weather are key to reducing weather-related truck accidents.

Impaired driving:

Driving under the influence severely impairs a truck driver’s ability to operate safely.

• Alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications affect coordination and decision-making.

• Strict rules prohibit impairment, yet some drivers ignore them, endangering everyone on the road.

• Testing after accidents often reveals substances as a contributing factor.

Recognizing these common causes allows victims to gather evidence that supports their claims. By examining logs, maintenance records, and witness statements, a truck accident attorney can demonstrate how negligence led to the accident.

Types of Truck Accidents

Different configurations of truck accidents present unique challenges and injury patterns. Each type requires specific investigation to determine the fault and extent of damage. In densely populated areas like Oklahoma City these incidents disrupt traffic and lives alike.

Rear-end collisions:

Rear-end truck accidents are among the most common and dangerous types of crashes on the road.

• Trucks need longer stopping distances, so tailgating or sudden stops cause them to crash into vehicles ahead.

• Victims in smaller cars often suffer whiplash or spinal injuries from the force.

• Speed differentials on highways make these particularly severe.

Because of the size and speed involved, rear-end collisions with trucks can leave victims facing lifelong medical challenges.

Jackknife accidents:

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s cab and trailer fold at a sharp angle, creating a deadly hazard.

• When brakes lock unevenly, the trailer swings out, forming a V-shape with the cab.

• This blocks lanes and strikes multiple vehicles.

• Slippery roads or sharp turns trigger jackknifing.

Jackknife accidents often result in multi-vehicle collisions and severe destruction.

Rollover crashes:

Rollover truck crashes pose extreme risks to both truck drivers and nearby motorists.

• Trucks are prone to tipping during sharp turns or evasive maneuvers due to their high centers of gravity.

• Overloading or unsecured cargo worsens stability issues.

• Rollovers frequently result in ejections or crush injuries.

These accidents can close entire highways and leave devastating consequences behind.

Underride accidents:

Underride crashes are among the most devastating collisions involving trucks.

• Cars slide under truck trailers in collisions, shearing off vehicle roofs.

• Lack of proper guards on trailers contributes to fatalities.

• These are among the deadliest types due to direct impact on passenger compartments.

The severity of underride accidents highlights the urgent need for stronger safety regulations.

Head-on collisions:

Head-on collisions with trucks are rare but almost always catastrophic.

• Wrong-way driving or loss of control leads to direct frontal impacts.

• The mass disparity causes extensive damage to lighter vehicles.

• Survival rates drop significantly in these scenarios.

Understanding each accident type aids in reconstructing events and assigning responsibility.

Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents

The force involved in truck accidents often leads to severe, life-altering injuries that require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Victims face both immediate and long-term consequences that impact their daily functioning and finances.

Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries from head impacts, which can cause cognitive impairments, memory loss, or personality changes. Spinal cord damage might result in paralysis, necessitating wheelchairs or assistive devices. 

Broken bones, such as fractures in arms, legs, or ribs, heal slowly and may need surgery with metal implants. Internal injuries, like organ damage or bleeding, demand emergency interventions and prolonged hospital stays. Burns from fires or explosions add painful recovery processes with scarring.

Psychological effects shouldn't be overlooked; post-traumatic stress disorder manifests through anxiety, nightmares, or avoidance behaviors. Chronic pain syndromes develop, requiring ongoing therapy and medications. In some cases, amputations occur due to crushed limbs, altering mobility forever.

Medical costs accumulate quickly, covering surgeries, therapies, and adaptive equipment. Lost income during recovery periods strains families. A truck accident attorney helps quantify these damages to seek appropriate compensation from liable parties, such as trucking companies or drivers.

Rehabilitation plays a critical role in regaining independence, but progress varies. Support networks become essential as victims adapt to new realities.

Legal Options for Truck Accident Victims

Victims of truck accidents have several avenues to pursue justice and financial recovery. Federal and state laws govern commercial trucking, providing grounds for claims when violations occur.

Personal injury lawsuits target negligent parties, including drivers, employers, or manufacturers. Strict liability applies in some instances involving defective products. Wrongful death actions allow families to claim for lost companionship and support if fatalities result.

Insurance policies from trucking firms often cover damages, but negotiations can be contentious. Multiple policies might apply, complicating settlements. Statutes of limitations in Oklahoma set deadlines for filing which is two years from the date of the accident. Missing the deadline bars any chance of recovery.

An experienced truck accident attorney gathers evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, and expert testimony, to build strong cases. They handle communications with insurers to avoid lowball offers. Mediation and arbitration offer alternatives to trials, resolving disputes more efficiently.

Victims should document everything, from medical records to accident photos, to bolster their positions. Legal representation levels the playing field against corporate defenses.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Immediate actions following a truck accident can significantly impact outcomes in both health and legal proceedings. Staying calm helps in making rational decisions amid chaos. First, confirm safety by moving to a secure spot if possible and activating hazard lights. Call emergency services for medical aid and police to monitor traffic and to prepare a report which will serve as the official record of the truck accident.

Exchange information with involved parties, including licenses, insurance details, and company contacts for the truck. Photograph the scene, vehicles, injuries, and road conditions. Obtain names and phone numbers of all witnesses. Do not rely on the police to do this for you. Seek medical attention promptly, even if injuries seem minor, as some manifest later. Follow treatment plans from your doctor exactly.

Notify your auto insurer, but limit statements to facts, avoiding admissions of fault. Consult an experienced truck accident attorney such as Justin Lowe & Associates before signing anything. Preserve evidence by keeping damaged items and tracking expenses. Witness contacts provide valuable corroboration.

In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, local authorities handle investigations, but personal efforts often supplement official findings. Adhering to these steps positions victims favorably for claims, thereby maximizing their chances of achieving fair resolutions.

Proving Negligence in Truck Accident Cases

Establishing negligence forms the core of most truck accident claims, requiring proof that a duty was breached and that it caused harm. Standards differ for commercial operators. The duty of care mandates safe driving and proper vehicle maintenance. Breaches include speeding, improper loading, or ignoring regulations.

Causation connects the breach directly to the injuries, often established through expert reconstructions. Damages cover both economic and non-economic losses. Evidence may come from electronic logging devices, surveillance footage, and maintenance records, while subpoenas can secure access to company documents.

Comparative negligence in Oklahoma reduces awards if victims share fault, but pure contributory systems don't apply here. Our truck accident attorney employs investigators to uncover hidden details, such as prior violations by the driver or firm.

Trials involve presenting this evidence persuasively, with juries deciding whether liability is established. Settlements often occur when the proof is strong. Thorough preparation counters defenses the trucking company is likely to claim, such as claims of 'unavoidable accidents'.

Compensation Available in Truck Accident Claims

Compensation addresses various losses, aiming to financially restore victims. Categories include medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability, and pain and suffering. Medical bills cover past and future treatments, including surgeries, medications, and therapies. Wage losses account for missed work and future reduced earning capacity.

Loss of consortium and companionship compensates affected relationships. Punitive damages apply in egregious cases, deterring reckless behavior. Calculations consider the severity of injuries and their life impacts.

Structured settlements offer ongoing payments, which are beneficial for long-term needs. Lump sums provide immediate relief. A truck accident attorney negotiates to maximize awards, using financial experts for projections. Court awards follow similar principles. Victims should track all costs carefully for accurate claims.