Truck accidents can cause devastating physical injuries and financial losses. If you have received injuries and other damages in a truck accident that was someone else’s fault, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your injuries. Determining who is liable for your truck accident can be complicated, however.
There are often multiple parties that may be held responsible for the injuries you suffered in your truck accident. Determining all the parties that are potentially liable for your truck accident can be complicated and complex. You may need the assistance of an Oklahoma truck accident lawyer at BDIW Law to help determine who may be held legally responsible for compensating you for your losses.
Oklahoma Truck Accident Statistics
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), there were 5,575 accidents involving large trucks on the 116,536 miles of Oklahoma roadways in 2021. These collisions caused 1,861 injuries and 112 fatalities. Accidents involving trucks often result in more fatalities and serious injuries than collisions involving smaller passenger vehicles because of several reasons, including the following:
- Their massive size and weight: They can weigh up to 82,000 pounds.
- Their increased stopping distances: It can take 40% more distance than a car to stop.
- Their large blind spots: They have larger areas of no visibility than cars.
- Their risk of rollovers: They have a high center of gravity.
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours with strict delivery schedules.
- Cargo issues: Improperly loaded cargo can cause a truck’s weight to shift and become unbalanced.
- Insufficient maintenance: Failure to perform regular inspections increases the chances of mechanical failures.
Trucks are inherently more dangerous than smaller motor vehicles. This increased danger means accidents often lead to more serious injuries or fatalities. If you have been injured in a truck collision, a truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma can determine how your wreck was caused and who may be at fault.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYCauses of Truck Accidents in Oklahoma
The first step to proving who is liable for your truck accident is determining how the accident happened. Doing so can show whether another party’s negligence caused your collision. The OHSO reports that almost 60% of truck accidents were caused by improper actions taken by the truck drivers, including the following:
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Changing lanes dangerously
- Failing to stop or yield
- Backing up or turning improperly
- Failing to use turn signals
- Improper lane usage
- Disregarding traffic or warning signals
- Failing to secure their load
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving while tired
- Driving while distracted
- Inexperienced driving
- Inadequate training
- Operating a poorly maintained truck
If any of the above actions were the cause of your truck accident, it is likely the truck driver or another party can be held liable for your injuries. An Oklahoma truck accident attorney can review the police report from your accident and other important evidence to determine whether you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. Then, we can identify the parties who may be responsible for your monetary compensation.
Parties that May Be Liable for Your Oklahoma Truck Accident
There are several parties who may be liable for your Oklahoma truck accident. Depending on the cause of your crash, there could be more than one party to blame for your injuries. For example, you may be able to make a claim for damages against one or more of the following parties:
- The truck driver: The truck driver may be held liable if they acted negligently. Examples of careless driving include speeding, disregarding traffic laws, driving under the influence, driving tired, or driving while distracted.
- The truck owner: The owner of the truck may be held responsible if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle. They could also be at fault if they did not conduct routine inspections on the truck.
- The trucking company: The company that employs the truck driver can be at fault if they contributed to your accident. Examples of their negligence can include inadequate driver training, failure to follow driving hour limits, and improper truck maintenance.
- The truck manufacturer: The manufacturer of the truck may be liable if the truck had a design defect or mechanical failure that led to your accident. Examples of when the manufacturer could potentially be held liable include the truck having faulty brakes or tires.
- A cargo company: The company responsible for loading cargo could be responsible for your accident if it acted negligently. Examples of careless behavior include improperly loaded or secured cargo.
- Repair shops: Companies responsible for the truck’s repair or maintenance may be at fault for your accident if a mechanical failure contributed to your accident. For example, improperly fixing or maintaining the truck’s parts could have led to the truck losing control and causing the accident.
- Government entities: A municipal or government agency may be liable for your accident if the collision was caused by poor road conditions or improper signage. There may be special requirements for suing the government, so be sure to consult with a truck accident attorney in Oklahoma before proceeding with your claim on your own.
- Another driver: Another driver may have been the party responsible for causing your accident with a truck. For example, making an illegal turn may have caused the truck driver to swerve into your lane and collide with your vehicle.
As mentioned, there are some situations wherein more than one party can be held liable for your truck accident. You should consult with a truck accident lawyer at BDIW Law as soon as possible so we can determine all the parties that may be responsible for compensating you for your injuries. We will file a claim against all possible at-fault parties to maximize your damages.
The Statute of Limitations for an Oklahoma Truck Accident Claim
Regardless of who is at fault for your truck accident, it is crucial that you file your legal claim within the time limits given under state law. In Oklahoma, personal injury claimants have two years from the date their injuries were obtained to file a lawsuit against the liable parties. An Oklahoma truck accident attorney will ensure your claim for damages is filed within the statute of limitations.
How an Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Determining all the liable parties in your Oklahoma truck accident can be difficult. Many times, there is more than one party to blame for your injuries. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney at BDIW Law today for a free consultation to discuss how to maximize your financial recovery.
