Your Tulsa Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer

If your vehicle was involved in a semi-truck accident in Tulsa, a Tulsa truck accident lawyer from Edwards & Patterson Law will review all of the information about your truck wreck (i.e., police reports, witness statements, photos, etc.), identify anyone who may have caused or contributed to your injuries, and provide assistance in collecting money to cover the costs of your medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress, as well as pain and suffering.

Edwards & Patterson Law has experienced attorneys who can investigate the practices of trucking companies and their drivers, review and analyze driver logbooks and maintenance records, and review other electronic data related to your truck wreck to understand how your accident occurred.

We will then assist you in understanding your options for pursuing your claim against those parties that were responsible for causing your injuries, and take care of handling the entire lawsuit process so that you can continue focusing on recovering from your injuries.

Schedule a complimentary consultation today regarding your truck accident injury in Tulsa.

Hurt in A Truck Accident?

Get Your FREE & Confidential Case Review Today!

918-302-3700or539-295-4225

Hurt in A Truck Accident?

Contact us today for your free & confidential case review. Our team will help you get the compensation that you deserve.

Call Now or Send Text

What Are Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Oklahoma?

The length of time that our Tulsa area law firm has provided its clients with professional legal representation exceeds thirty years. As a result of our extensive history of representing individuals injured by commercial vehicles on Oklahoma highways and urban roads, including those operated by eighteen wheelers, we have been able to identify the most frequent forms of negligent behavior exhibited by truck operators include:

• Excessive Speed/Aggressive Driving: When a truck operator feels pressured due to meeting delivery times; moving to the next job site; or simply getting home at the earliest possible time, he or she will often exceed safe speeds for the road conditions and/or weather conditions and cause wrecks. He or she can also harm other motorists if he or she tailgates another vehicle; makes reckless passing maneuvers; or refuses to give way to traffic.
• Driver Distractions: While many truck operators neglect their duties because they are so focused on sending/receiving texts and/or speaking on handheld cellular phones, this activity is prohibited according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) regulations. Truck operators can also become distracted from performing their duties safely due to utilizing electronic devices (such as dispatch equipment) or entering addresses into GPS units.
• Driver Fatigue: Many truck operators seek ways to circumvent the laws governing hours worked by drivers. These laws are intended to prevent driver fatigue or the limits set by the FMCSA’s hours of service rules.However, these laws cannot completely eliminate the possibility that a driver may operate his/her vehicle after he/she is physically and mentally exhausted. A fatigued driver can be just as hazardous to a motorist(s) as a driver who is intoxicated.
• Operating Commercial Vehicles Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs:  While one would never suspect that a person could operate a large tractor trailer after consuming alcoholic beverages, unfortunately this does occur. Furthermore, many truck operators rely upon both prescribed and non-prescribed medication to remain awake/alert while behind the wheel of a large tractor trailer. Regardless of whether the substance is prescribed or non-prescribed, operating heavy machinery while being influenced by a substance increases the potential for serious injury.
• Failure to Maintain Equipment Properly: Failing to properly maintain the equipment of a semi-truck can lead to a number of mechanical failures (i.e., faulty brakes and/or tires blowing out), resulting in serious collisions.
• Incorrect/Unsecure Cargo Loadings: Improperly loading/unsecuring cargo can cause items within the cargo to shift during travel, which can alter the center of gravity of the semi-truck. This can increase the risk of rollover accidents or loss of control.
• Lack of Experience & Training: Some large trucking companies do not provide sufficient experience/training to their drivers prior to releasing them onto public highways. It is estimated that inexperienced truck drivers account for a significant portion of all truck-related collisions occurring annually.

Injuries That Are Most Frequent After a Truck Accident

When compared to an average automobile wreck, a large semi-truck wreck will usually cause significantly greater injuries. Due to the significant size and weight of commercial trucks, these wrecks also produce significantly greater injury severity. Trauma suffered by individuals as a result of trucking wrecks typically has long-lasting effects which may severely limit their ability to function in society. The following are examples of injuries commonly experienced after a truck accident occurs in Tulsa:

• Severe Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord Injuries And Loss Of Use
• Broken Bones & Fractures
• Internal Organ Damage
• Soft Tissue Injury
• Amputation / Loss Of Limb
• Serious Burns
• Disfiguring Scars

The cost of recovery for many of these serious injuries could be thousands of dollars and may continue to exceed tens of thousands of dollars over time. Many times individuals injured in truck accidents may experience life-long residual effects. 

You may pursue compensation for all the legally recoverable harms that resulted from this collision. However, there are likely to be statutory limits (caps) on your recovery of damages and/or defenses which will apply.

 A highly trained and experienced truck accident lawyer at our law firm would provide you the representation required to assist you in achieving all available means of compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Common Types Of Truck Wrecks That Occur In Tulsa

Multiple different types of truck wrecks frequently occur along the many roads found within Tulsa’s metropolitan area. Each different type of wreck has a specific reason for occurring; therefore, the potential consequences associated with each type of wreck vary greatly. Examples of some of the most frequent types of truck wrecks that occur in Tulsa include:

• Jack Knife Wreck: Typically, multiple cars are affected during a jack knife wreck. This occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward toward the passenger side of the road so that it forms approximately a 90-degree angle with the truck’s cab.
• Rollover Wreck: A rollover wreck involves a truck rolling onto its side or top. The primary reasons for this type of wreck are excessive speed, making extreme turns at high rates of speed or having an unbalanced load.
• Rear End Collision: These wrecks occur when a truck driver follows a vehicle too closely and/or drives at a rate of speed that does not allow enough time to stop prior to colliding with the rear end of another vehicle.
• Underride Wreck: An underride wreck occurs when a smaller vehicle is caught beneath the trailer portion of a larger vehicle. These wrecks result in severe injuries and/or death in virtually every instance.
• Blind Spot Wreck: A blind spot wreck is caused when a truck driver fails to observe an object in his blind spot area and either changes lanes or makes a right hand turn without seeing an object located in his blind spot area.
• Wide Turn Wreck: A wide turn wreck is caused when a truck driver attempts to make a right-hand turn at an intersection and swings too far to the left. The truck then strikes vehicles traveling in the adjacent lane(s).

What Types of Evidence May be Used in a Tulsa Semi-Truck Crash Claim?

The attorney representing you for your semi-truck crash claim will need to collect many forms of evidence to demonstrate that the semi-truck driver’s or trucking company’s conduct was negligent. A number of types of evidence may be used in a Tulsa semi-crash case. These include but are not limited to:

• Police reports documenting the details of the accident.
• Witnesses’ accounts of what they saw happen during the collision.
• Photographs and/or video documentation of the wreck site and any property damage or physical harm resulting from the collision;
• Data collected from a black box on the semi-truck, including speed and braking information;
• Log books maintained by the truck driver, as well as information recorded electronically through an electronic logging device (ELD) ;
• Maintenance and inspection records associated with the semi-truck;
•  Hiring practices, training methods, and supervisory techniques employed by the trucking company.
• Evidence relating to your medical expenses and projected future medical costs resulting from your injuries will be documented through medical records and expert testimony. 
• Economic experts may also document all monetary damages sustained due to your injuries. 
• Expert medical professionals may provide evidence regarding the type and duration of ongoing medical care that you will require.

A skilled semi-truck accident lawyer in Tulsa knows how to properly acquire and protect this evidence, as well as utilize it when negotiating settlements or presenting claims before judges and juries.

Hurt in A Truck Accident?

Get Your FREE & Confidential Case Review Today!

918-302-3700or539-295-4225

Hurt in A Truck Accident?

Contact us today for your free & confidential case review. Our team will help you get the compensation that you deserve.

Call Now or Send Text

What Types of Compensation am I Eligible to Receive in a Tulsa Truck Accident Case?

The types of Compensation that you can seek in your case is going to vary based upon how severe your truck accident was, what kind of injuries you have sustained, as well as the skill level of your legal representation. There are many different ways that an experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorney can help to seek reimbursement for damages such as:

• Medical bills related to the medical treatments (emergency treatment; hospitalizations; doctors’ visits; surgeries; assistive devices; prescriptions; and extended-care) that you have incurred or will incur due to your injuries.
• Your lost wages if you were unable to work at all because of your injury or if you had to take a new job at a lower wage than your previous job because of your injury.
• Your reduced earning potential in the event that you cannot go back to your previous job.
• Pain and suffering, as well as other non-monetary or non-economic losses may be recoverable; however, it’s important to note that Oklahoma law may place a limit on the recovery of noneconomic damage based on when and how you were injured, and the actions of the defendant.
  
• Loss of enjoyment of life  

Consulting with a knowledgeable Oklahoma truck accident lawyer can give you an informed assessment of your claim’s worth.

What Should I Do If I am Involved in a Truck Accident?

A truck collision can cause so many physical and emotional challenges, it can be incredibly challenging to decide how to proceed immediately after the incident. To assist you in protecting your rights and to maximize your opportunity to receive fair compensation, there are some things you should attempt to do as soon as possible:

Follow your doctor’s recommendations:  one of the primary causes of why an insurer may reject an injury victim’s claim is because the injury victim has failed to comply with the advice or instructions of his/her treating physician. Gaps in treatment or failure to follow reasonable medical advice may provide insurance companies with a basis to dispute whether particular treatments were caused by the crash and if damages were sustained.

By complying with the directives of your physician, you will greatly enhance your ability to successfully resolve this matter.

Obtain documentation supporting your injuries and lost wages:  documentation (e.g., medical bills and records; pay stubs; tax returns; etc.) showing the extent of your injuries and the financial impact they have had on you will help support your claim for damages.

Do not accept the initial offer from the insurance adjuster: insurance company representatives for large Trucking companies typically make very low, initial offers to individuals injured in a truck collision, prior to them having a complete understanding of their potential claim. If you settle your claim and sign a release then it is possible that you will be prevented from seeking additional recovery on these claims or against any parties covered by this release, so carefully read all of the terms before signing.

Consider getting legal help prior to signing on the dotted line of your settlement or release agreement, especially if you have suffered a serious injury or still have unsettled damages.

Contact a qualified Oklahoma truck accident attorney:  the experienced Oklahoma truck accident attorneys at Edwards & Patterson Law can assist you by obtaining the medical care you need, documenting all aspects of your claim through gathering relevant documentation, and negotiating with the insurance company in a manner designed to protect your claim.

What are the Statutes of Limitation for Filing a Truck Collision Injury Lawsuit?

While many Oklahoma negligence claims will need to be filed in as little as two (2) years, there may be shorter time limits for providing written notice and/or filing such claims depending upon which entity is being sued. As such, it would be best to determine what time limit applies based on the facts and circumstances surrounding your claim.

Therefore, if you don’t initiate a lawsuit within that time frame, you will lose your right to recover damages for your loss. It would be best to seek consultation with an experienced Oklahoma truck collision lawyer to ensure compliance with all relevant statutes of limitation.

Who Can Be Sued for Damages Resulting From A Semi-Truck/Tractor Trailer Collisions in Tulsa?

A driver who is negligent enough to cause an accident in which injuries result may be found to have committed legal wrongs (causing harm), which can allow injured parties to seek compensation if they can demonstrate that their injury was caused by such wrongdoing. In order to do this, the injured party will need to show the level of responsibility of each party involved in the collision and also meet all other relevant defenses or limitations as provided by law.

In addition to being held liable for the actions of his employees through what is referred to as “vicarious liability” when those actions are done during the course and scope of the employee’s job with the company, a trucking company could also be sued directly because the state of Oklahoma has laws that allow for this type of claim. Carelessness by the trucking company itself can lead to collisions. 

Examples of such carelessness include but are not limited to:

• Employment of a driver without doing a thorough background investigation
• Employment of unqualified driver(s)
• Failure to adequately train and supervise the driver(s).
• Failure to inspect, maintain and/or service its vehicles; and
• Encouraging or forcing the driver(s) to breach applicable safety rules.

Other than the trucking company there are additional parties that can potentially be held accountable when filing a semi-truck/trailer accident lawsuit. These potential defendants include:

• Warehouses which load too much freight onto a semi-tractor trailer;
• The freight broker (or another party) that selected the trucking company to carry out the shipment;
• Cargo loaders that fail to properly secure their loads;
• Manufacturers who produce defective tractor trailers or parts for same;
• Companies responsible for maintaining and servicing the tractor trailer; and
• The State or local government that’s responsible for maintaining the roads may sometimes be a potential defendant in a roadway-related claim.

Don’t delay. If you or a family member has been seriously hurt in an automobile accident or big rig collision, you cannot afford to simply wait and see how things turn out. Trucking companies usually act rapidly to remove any damaging evidence. As such, it’s important to consider that if you decide to hire an aggressive lawyer they will become immediately involved in the case to protect your interests.

What Are The Steps for Filing a Lawsuit After an Oklahoma Semi-Truck Collision?

If you’re at the stage of considering filing a lawsuit then your first step should be to hire a semi-truck accident attorney in Tulsa. Filing a lawsuit is so much more than simply completing a claim form, or simply telling the story of how the truck wreck occurred. To properly file a lawsuit, the general first step is to complete a process involving the creation and submission of an initial legal document called a complaint. In this complaint, you are creating specific, carefully drafted allegations which clearly identify the proper court, jurisdiction, and the corporate identity of any company(s) involved.

Investigating a trucking collision can be costly, and so too can bringing a lawsuit. However, Edwards & Patterson Law advances all of the costs associated with investigating your trucking collision, advancing all of the costs associated with bringing a lawsuit (filing fees, service fees, etc.), and paying all of the continuing costs associated with pursuing your rights. If we obtain compensation on your behalf, then we will receive payment for our time spent working on your case, and reimbursement for all of the above-referenced costs.

Hurt in A Truck Accident?

Get Your FREE & Confidential Case Review Today!

918-302-3700or539-295-4225

Hurt in A Truck Accident?

Contact us today for your free & confidential case review. Our team will help you get the compensation that you deserve.

Call Now or Send Text

How Does an Experienced Semi-Truck Crash Attorney Assist with My Xlaim?

If you retain a truck accident attorney in Tulsa at Edwards & Patterson Law, they will assist you with:

• The responsible party(ies) for your semi-truck crash
• Types of compensation available through your claim
• Support in finding access to necessary medical treatment
• Protect you from having to deal with aggressive insurance adjusters and agents
• Relief from negotiation because your attorney will negotiate your settlement and manage your entire case from beginning to end. 
• Although most trucking accidents resolve without ever going to trial, each case begins with preparation for potential litigation.

How are our Tulsa Truck Accident Attorneys Prepared to Assist You?

To secure full and fair compensation for your injuries sustained due to a serious trucking accident in Tulsa, please contact one of our experienced semi-truck accident attorneys today. As with all of our clients, there will be no cost to you unless we achieve compensation on your behalf. Additionally, you will receive a complimentary initial consultation.

Working With Our Firm To Build A Better Tomorrow

Edwards & Patterson Law has represented over 5,000 clients with their own specific sets of circumstances and provided them with the treatment needed and the financial compensation deserved. Deciding on an attorney to represent your interests and advocate for you when it comes to your rights is a big decision. Let Edwards & Patterson Law be your advocate for justice today!

Get In Touch With One Of Our Experienced Tulsa Truck Accident Lawyers Today

Experiencing a serious accident is often one of the most traumatic experiences you can have. When the shock begins to wear off after your serious truck accident or other personal injury incident, you likely experience extreme anxiety and stress as you try to determine how you’ll obtain the necessary funds and support to restore order to your life. The final insult would be having to deal with the confusion, aggravation, and frustration associated with filing claims against insurance companies and/or dealing with legal matters.

Don’t worry! At Edwards & Patterson Law, our attorneys and staff are here for you every step of the way. We will handle all aspects of your case so you don’t have to. If you have any questions regarding your claim or the law process from beginning to end, our staff is here to assist you. We know that experiencing a serious injury can significantly impact many areas of your life. This includes your ability to earn income which could create severe economic hardship for yourself and your loved ones. At Edwards & Patterson Law, we genuinely care about you and will aggressively defend your right to receive fair compensation for your injuries.

Are you ready to find out what options are available to you?

Let’s get started now. Contact the law firm of Edwards & Patterson Law for a free and confidential claim review and consultation. We care. We fight. We win!