Take one look at the size of the average 18-wheeler, and you will see why truck crashes are among the most devastating types of accidents that occur on Oklahoma roads. In one recent year, 120 people died in collisions involving large trucks in our state, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports. In the same year, more than 210 people suffered incapacitating injuries in these accidents.

If you or a loved one were recently involved in a trucking accident in Broken Arrow or a nearby community in Tulsa County or Wagoner County, you should immediately retain an experienced attorney. You may face injuries that require overwhelmingly expensive medical treatment and carry life-long consequences. You will need to protect your rights and interests.

The team at the law offices of Edwards & Patterson Law is prepared to tackle the legal challenges that lie ahead for you. We care about your future, and we are ready to fight for you. Contact us now for a free consultation.

 

What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Broken Arrow?

Truck collisions often occur because of driver carelessness or recklessness, which is more commonly referred to in legal circles as “negligence.” As we have seen at Edwards & Patterson Law, some of the most common types of negligence in Broken Arrow trucking accident cases are:

  • Distracted driving – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules prohibit most forms of electronic device use while driving. Still, many truck drivers cause crashes due to talking on phones or texting while driving.
  • Drowsy driving – The FMCSA limits the number of hours that drivers can be on the road. Again, many drivers break those rules. They may drive longer than permitted in order to meet tight delivery deadlines (or because their employers pressure them to do so).
  • Drunk or drugged driving – Any driver who is impaired by alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs) poses a threat to others on the road. The threat is even greater when the driver is operating a massive semi-truck.
  • Speeding and aggressive driving – When tractor-trailer drivers go too fast or engage in aggressive behavior such as tailgating, they can easily lose control of their rig. Jackknife accidents and rollover accidents, for instance, can occur when a driver has to slam the brakes or fails to slow down in a curve.
  • Making unsafe turns or lane changes – A truck driver must deal with significant blind spots surrounding the tractor-trailer. If a driver fails to check mirrors and/or ensure that no other vehicle is in a blind spot before turning or changing lanes, accidents happen.
  • Driving with unsecured loads – If drivers fail to ensure that their cargo has been safely and securely loaded, it can lead to dangerous cargo shifts or cargo spills that endanger others on the road.

What are the Liability Issues in Truck Accident Claims?

Red truck vs car in collisionTruck collisions are similar to car accident claims in many ways. For instance, you typically must prove the four basic elements of negligence in order to establish your right to recover compensation after a collision with a tractor-trailer. Those elements are:

  • Duty – All motorists, including truck drivers, have a duty to drive safely and avoid actions that create a risk of accidents.
  • Breach – If a truck driver fails to take reasonable precautions to avoid an accident, the driver breaches the duty of care that the driver owes to others on the road.
  • Causation – A direct link must exist between the truck driver’s breach of duty and the truck accident in which you were injured. In other words, you must show that but for the driver’s breach, you would not have suffered injuries.
  • Damages – You must also show that you suffered actual losses because of your truck accident injuries which entitle you to compensation.

However, in four key areas, trucking accident cases are also different from other types of cases. Those areas are:

  • The severity of injuries – Because a truck and its cargo can outweigh a passenger vehicle by up to 20 times, victims typically suffer life-threatening, catastrophic injuries. Your medical costs may be astronomical, and you could be out of work for a long time – maybe even permanently.
  • Insurance coverage amounts – Truck drivers and trucking companies are required by law to carry significant insurance coverage. Depending on the type of cargo, this insurance coverage may be in the millions. For this reason, insurance companies typically assign their most experienced adjusters and lawyers to truck accident cases.
  • Multiple parties – Several parties could share liability in a truck accident case, including the truck driver, trucking company, truck owner, shipper (or company that loaded the cargo), or manufacturer of the truck and/or its components.
  • Rules violations – State and federal regulations cover almost every aspect of the trucking industry. Violations of these rules often serve as proof that a driver or trucking company acted negligently.

At Edwards & Patterson Law, our experience with handling these unique issues makes a difference for our clients in Broken Arrow and throughout Oklahoma.

What Compensation is There for Victims of Broken Arrow Truck Crashes?

The amount of compensation available for victims of negligent truck drivers and trucking companies depends on many factors. At Edwards & Patterson Law, we will pursue the maximum amount of compensation for you, which may include:

  • Costs you incur for medical treatment
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Losses based upon how your injuries affect your relationships with loved ones
  • Diminished quality of life.

Get Help from an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Broken Arrow

You might hope that the process for filing an insurance claim after a truck crash simply involves filling out forms and discussing a settlement with an insurance adjuster. In reality, the process is much more complicated. To protect your rights and interests, you should work with an experienced and dedicated truck accident lawyer from Edwards & Patterson Law. You can count on us to:

  • Investigate and collect evidence regarding the collision
  • Complete claim forms and gather essential documentation to support your claim
  • Engage in settlement negotiations with the insurance company and pursue full and fair compensation for you
  • Go to trial in order to protect your interests
  • Fight for your rights throughout the litigation process.

To learn more about your rights as the victim of a truck crash in Broken Arrow, OK contact Edwards & Patterson Law today. We will provide a free consultation in order to review your case and determine the next steps for you.