Big rig accidents often result in severe and life-altering injuries. Many trucking accidents even result in fatalities. If you are injured or lose a loved one in an Oklahoma City, OK, truck accident, you have legal rights and can sue anyone responsible for the incident.
At BDIW Law, we offer legal help after Oklahoma City truck accidents. Reach out to our law firm today. From here, our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer can review your case and help you determine if now is the right time to file a lawsuit.
Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents in Oklahoma City
Truck accidents can happen for many reasons. Some of the common causes of truck accidents in Oklahoma City include the following examples.
Distracted Driving
Truckers tend to multitask more than most other drivers, namely because their trucks are like their second homes. From operating GPS devices to talking on the phone while driving, truckers try to do it all. Unfortunately, trying to do it all is dangerous and can lead to distracted driving accidents.
Speeding
Truckers tend to speed because they are trying to make a deadline. Speeding in any vehicle is dangerous. If a truck driver speeds, they can cause an accident, along with injuries and fatalities.
Lack of Experience
To become a truck driver in Oklahoma, an individual must earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL). New truck drivers may be unsure on the road, even if they pass the CDL test. Truck companies have an obligation to train their drivers properly, but if they fail to do so, they can be held liable for injuries and damages caused by inexperienced truckers.
Overloaded Truck
Truckers and their employers are required to maintain a certain weight. If a trucker goes over the weight limit and causes an accident because of it, this individual and their employer can be held liable. In this scenario, the accident victim can sue both the trucker and their employer as part of a trucking accident lawsuit.
Trucker Fatigue
There are regulations in place that specify how many hours a trucker is allowed to travel each week and when they must take breaks, as well as drive log requirements. Unfortunately, despite those regulations, accidents caused by tired drivers still happen in Oklahoma City and other parts of the United States. If an accident is caused by a tired driver, both the driver and their employer can be held responsible.
Drunk Driving
An intoxicated truck driver puts themselves and others at risk. The driver may struggle to stay focused behind the wheel. As such, the driver can cause an accident that impacts other motorists and pedestrians.
No matter what caused your Oklahoma City truck accident, you deserve compensation for your losses. An Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer from BDIW Law can help you pursue damages for pain and suffering and other losses you incur. Our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer learns about the facts of your truck accident case and ensures you request an appropriate amount of damages against any at-fault parties.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYWhat to Do if You Are Involved in a Truck Accident in Oklahoma City
If you suffer an injury in an Oklahoma City trucking accident, get medical help right away. Call 911 at the accident scene, and medical personnel and police officers will arrive on the scene. If necessary, you can go to an emergency room to receive treatment for any injuries you suffer.
In addition, capture photos and videos of the accident scene and any injuries. You can use these photos and videos as evidence if you move forward with a personal injury lawsuit. Also, it is beneficial to talk to police officers and get an accident report in the days following your incident.
Connect with a truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City as well. The lawyer can learn about your case and find out if you are eligible to pursue damages. If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit, your lawyer will help you do just that.
What to Expect if You Seek Damages in an Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawsuit
A truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City ensures that your lawsuit is filed in accordance with Oklahoma’s statute of limitations. In Oklahoma, you have up to two years from the date you suffer a personal injury to seek damages from any at-fault parties. If you do not file a lawsuit within this period, you lose the right to pursue damages at a later date.
After your trucking accident lawsuit is filed, your lawyer works with you to build your case. There can be times when a defendant proposes a settlement. If this happens, your lawyercan advise you on what can happen if you accept, decline, or counter a settlement offer.
Keep in mind that you can seek damages if a loved one is killed in a trucking accident in Oklahoma City. In this instance, you can partner with a truck accident lawyer that has many years of experience with wrongful death cases. Your lawyer will do their part to help you secure compensation from anyone that caused your loved one’s wrongful death.
Common Damages in Truck Accidents in OKC
What are your losses? It can be hard to know what to say when an insurance company asks you this question. Often, they want you to provide very limited information so they can process your claim quickly and move on without paying out what they owe. One of the tasks our truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City will provide is a comprehensive understanding of all of your losses. Consider what those could be. Economic losses often include:
- Your medical bills, including specialist care, emergency medical care at the scene, and hospital stays
- Treatment for your condition, including surgeries, lab tests, and other procedures
- Treatment for complications, including those related to infection control
- Rehabilitation costs, including assistance for learning to walk, speak, or care for yourself again
- Compensation for the time you miss at work due to the injury
- Financial compensation for the damage to your property in the incident
- Costs related to the modification of your home due to your losses
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses may include:
- Pain and suffering claims
- Emotional distress and anguish
- Loss of consortium
Many times, complicated matters exist. For example, you may not be sure you will be able to go back to work due to your injuries. Other times, you may be dealing with intense emotional trauma from the incident and may find yourself battling depression. These types of losses can manifest over time, not just during your initial treatment period.
When we work to determine what your losses are after a truck accident, we want to factor in all aspects of the incident and how it impacted you then, now, and into the future.
Why You Need a Trusted and Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer
Truck drivers, companies, and associated professionals have well-versed lawyers and insurance adjusters who have the sole job of reducing what they pay out in claims. Their job is to lower what you get, while our goal is to work to prove you deserve more. There are several reasons why you should not settle your truck accident claim without an OKC lawyer:
- Insurance companies may try to make you admit some type of fault in the matter, so they can shift some of the blame to you.
- They will work to prove that you are okay or that your losses have improved.
- They may use your social media accounts, statements from other people, or other data they can find to prove that you are not hurt.
- Some insurance companies may try to access your medical documents to prove that your injuries existed previously.
- They may try to get you to settle for less than what you are owed simply by not telling you everything.
Do not become a victim of this type of abuse. Instead, let our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer work with you to determine what compensation you are owed. We will create a legal strategy to help support you as you work towards recovery of the losses someone else caused you. You can depend on us to work aggressively to protect your rights.
Retain an Experienced Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma City, BDIW Law can help you out. For more information or to request a free consultation, please contact us today.
