Semi-trucks are a constant presence on Oklahoma freeways and other roadways. They need to get from place to place as they haul produce, cars, clothing, building materials, and other essentials for daily life to various stores across the country. These huge vehicles can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, and just like passenger vehicles, they can get involved in serious accidents.
The main difference, though, is that a truck accident is more likely to be fatal, given the size of a semi-truck. This is especially true in the event of a rollover accident. While semi-trucks are very sturdy and hard to overturn, a rollover crash is still likely.
These crashes are often deadly, as they tend to happen at high speeds. They occur quite frequently on divided highways and two-way undivided roads. Read on to learn more about how these dangerous truck accidents occur and how an Oklahoma truck accident attorney can help.
Causes of Semi-Truck Rollovers
Rollover truck accidents happen in various ways, including the following from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):
- Most semi-truck rollovers occur when drivers fail to adjust their speed when there are curves in the road. Trucks tend to overturn on on-ramps and off-ramps.
- Falling asleep or distracted driving means that drivers are not paying full attention while behind the wheel, making rollovers more common. Fatigue and impairment by alcohol or drugs can also lead to a lack of judgment, resulting in a crash.
- When truck drivers fail to steer just the right amount, rollovers can happen. This may include over-steering, not steering enough to stay in the lane, overcorrecting, and then having to counter-steer to avoid going off the road.
- Truck drivers need to be aware of the load they are carrying. Shifting can cause the load to become unbalanced, resulting in a rollover.
- There may be issues with the truck itself due to manufacturer issues or a lack of proper maintenance. For example, under-inflated tires and brake issues are common problems that can lead to rollovers.
Trucks weigh as much as 30 times more than the average car. They are taller and harder to see around, and they can also have a higher wheelbase which allows a smaller car to get under them easier, creating a much more impactful outcome.
More so, truck braking takes much longer than what occurs with the average car. In fact, most large trucks, including a fully loaded tractor-trailer, will need as much as 40% more space to stop. That is even more if the conditions are rough, such as being wet.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow Common Are Large Truck Accidents?
In 2021, 4,714 people died as a result of a large truck crash – which was 17% more than the year prior. Of those, 68% were people in the passenger cars. According to data from the IIHS, thousands of additional people suffered significant injuries.
The same data shows that 52% of people that died in these incidents in 2021 were involved in a vehicle that rolled over. About 393 people died that year alone in large truck rollover accidents.
If you were hurt in such an accident – or your loved one’s life was hurt as a result of one, seek out the help of a truck accident attorney immediately. Allow our team to work with you to hold those making mistakes accountable.
Who Is Responsible When a Truck Accident Occurs?
When a rollover truck accident occurs, it is often the driver that is thought to be the only party responsible. That is not always the case. Our goal as your attorney is to ensure we have a full understanding of who is to blame. That may be:
- The truck driver
- The management team
- The trucking company
- A company that performed maintenance and repairs on the vehicle
- The manufacture of the vehicle
- Another driver on the road at the time of the incident
As a part of the investigation, we do is to uncover all evidence in your case. That includes looking at all details that could point to more than one party being responsible for what occurred. We are hard-working attorneys that will go to work to ensure your rights are protected on all levels.
What Types of Accident Injuries Are Common After a Rollover Truck Accident?
Many factors play a role in determining what type of injuries will occur in these accidents. When a truck rolls over, factors such as the size of the vehicle, the speed of travel, what it strikes, and what is on the roadway in the process. Some of the most common injuries that people suffer after these incidents include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Road rash, if dragged in the accident
- Whiplash or neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Crushed limbs or bones
- Internal bleeding
What happened in your case is not just immediate medical care, though. Often, people face additional challenges, including mental health challenges after these incidents and long-term pain and suffering. You may struggle with relationships, find it hard to work, or even find yourself depressed. All of these should not be ignored as real losses you have faced as a result of the accident.
What Type of Losses Can You Pursue After a Truck Rollover Accident?
One of the ways our truck accident attorneys will work with you is to create a clear path forward that outlines what your legal rights to compensation are. After gathering all information about your case, determining who is to blame, and then working to understand your short- and long-term health needs, we can help you determine what losses you may be owed. This may include:
- Medical bills for your immediate medical care
- Costs associated with in-hospital stays
- Surgical procedures
- Medications
- Recovery needs
- Modifications to your home to accommodate your specific new mobility needs
- Costs associated with new equipment you may need
We also work hard to protect you from losses that do not always have a simple figure assigned to them, such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Many people need ongoing support and care after these types of incidents happen. It is our goal to ensure that any compensation you need is accessible to you by pursuing the compensation you are owed.
We encourage you not to settle your case without having an attorney who is working specifically for you, examining your case, and providing you with legal guidance. Our team is committed to meeting your needs on an ongoing basis – that means fighting to prove you are owed compensation and working to help you secure the highest value possible.
Contact Our Tulsa Truck Accident Lawyers Today
Truck rollovers are scary and dangerous situations. Knowing how accidents happen can help you be prepared if you are a truck driver or motorist who shares the roadways with commercial trucks.
Truck accidents can lead to a variety of injuries and even death. If you have been a victim, seek legal help from the Tulsa personal injury attorneys at BDIW Law. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free consultation, call our office or fill out our contact form.
