Recover Losses from a Commercial Vehicle Accident
When it comes to accidents involving commercial trucks, the consequences can be devastating due to their size and weight. With the pressures on truck drivers to meet performance expectations, such as working long hours, carrying heavier loads, and driving at maximum speeds, accidents involving commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles can turn into a recipe for disaster on Oklahoma roadways.
While most truck drivers exercise reasonable care and complete their journeys without incident, accidents still happen. At Seventh Street Tulsa Law Firm, our Tulsa truck accident lawyers have the skill, training, and experience to investigate the causes of truck accidents and determine who is responsible for the damages caused on Oklahoma highways.
Our mission as personal injury attorneys in Tulsa is to ensure that those who seek our help after a truck accident are fully compensated for their losses. Given the size and weight of trucks, injuries resulting from truck accidents are often more severe and can lead to permanent damage. Conditions like herniated discs and complex back injuries may require costly surgeries.
However, the losses go beyond just medical expenses. There may be property damage costs, lost wages, transportation expenses while your vehicle is out of service, and missed opportunities due to pain and suffering. If you experience partial or permanent disability, the loss of income can be ongoing.
At Seventh Street Tulsa Law Firm, we believe that you have the right to be made whole. Our dedicated team works diligently to recover all your costs, allowing you to regain the fullest possible enjoyment of life as you did before the accident.
Understanding the Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are not always at fault in accidents. According to the NHTSA National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Study, truck drivers were found at fault in two out of five crashes involving cars and big trucks. In accidents where non-commercial vehicles were at fault, it was usually due to something the truck driver did that could have been avoided.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study has consistently identified driver performance as the primary reason in nearly 9 out of 10 accidents where the truck was the main cause.
When truck drivers were at fault, it was often due to factors such as speeding, unfamiliarity with the road, use of over-the-counter drugs, inadequate supervision, fatigue, pressure to work, distractions, or lack of attention. Mechanical issues with the truck, such as brake problems, tire problems, and shifted cargo, also contributed to accidents.
While semi-truck accidents make up a significant portion of commercial vehicle accidents in Oklahoma, other types of commercial vehicles, such as dump trucks, box trucks, multi-axle flat-bed trucks, utility trucks, buses, and light commercial vehicles, are also involved in a considerable number of accidents each year.
Determining Liability in Commercial Vehicle Accidents
In accidents involving commercial vehicles, there can be multiple potential defendants. The driver’s employer, the trucking company, and contractors may all bear liability. At Seventh Street Tulsa Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers in Tulsa work diligently to identify all possible defendants who may owe compensation to the accident victims. Liability insurance limits for commercial accidents often exceed those for private passenger vehicles, and each plaintiff typically has a separate insurance policy.
Our team of experienced Tulsa truck wreck lawyers will assess the full extent of your losses and demand that those responsible provide the necessary compensation. If the responsible parties refuse to fully compensate you, we are prepared to take your case to court to seek the payment you deserve.
Establishing Proof in a Truck Wreck Case
In most commercial truck accident cases, compensation is sought based on negligence. To successfully prove negligence, our personal injury attorneys must demonstrate the following:
- The defendants had a duty to exercise a reasonable degree of care.
- The defendants failed to exercise reasonable care.
- The failure to exercise reasonable care directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries and losses.
Evidence of negligence can be obtained from drivers’ logs, maintenance records, company training documents, or financial records. Expert witnesses may be called upon to establish the duty of the company and how commercial transportation companies typically fulfill those duties.
Our Tulsa accident attorneys have the ability to subpoena the necessary information to prove fault in a commercial trucking accident. In many cases, insurance companies agree to provide compensation to the injured party before going to trial to avoid the time and costs associated with preparing for litigation.
Timelines for Obtaining Compensation
Insurance companies may offer quick settlements to injured parties, but accepting such offers can have hidden costs. By settling too early, you may be unable to collect costs that may arise long after the accident.
Final medical bills may not arrive until weeks after the accident, and medical reports may indicate the need for additional or ongoing care. A second medical opinion could reveal the likelihood of future medical costs or even partial disabilities resulting from the injuries sustained.
With your personal injury attorney from Seventh Street Tulsa Law Firm, we work to put an end to collection calls and efforts until your case is settled. Our commercial vehicle accident attorney typically does not receive payment until your case is resolved. Once the case is settled, our legal team will distribute the settlement among creditors and prepare the necessary payments for your losses.
While the process may take longer than accepting a quick settlement from the insurance carrier, the results can be significantly different. With a skilled Tulsa truck accident lawyer by your side, you are in a better position to obtain full compensation for medical costs, property damage, out-of-pocket expenses, and pain and suffering.
Get a Free Case Review
The experienced commercial truck accident attorneys at Seventh Street Tulsa Law Firm can assess your case upfront and determine if you are likely owed compensation for your losses.
To begin your free case assessment, call our Tulsa lawyers today at 918-932-2777 or submit your initial inquiry using the contact form at the top of this page. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.