Were you diagnosed with traumatic brain damage, internal bleeding, spinal cord injuries, or another critical injury after a collision with a commercial truck? If so, you may be wondering what to do next and how you will get through these difficult times. Thankfully, when you have an experienced Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyer at BDIW Law working for you, you can breathe easier.
Our team will handle your case from start to finish so you can heal and recover maximum compensation for your damages. Contact our office for a free consultation today and learn more about how much your claim is worth and who could be responsible for causing your injuries and damages.
When to File an Oklahoma Truck Accident Claim
Your semi-truck accident attorney in Oklahoma at BDIW Law can carefully evaluate the specific circumstances of your case to determine whether you have met the grounds necessary to file a truck accident claim. Many people assume you must have suffered a dire or life-threatening injury to qualify.
However, this is not the case. If your life has been impacted in any way by your truck accident, you have the right to compensation for your damages. Generally, for a semi-truck accident claim to be successful, your lawyer must show that the elements of negligence have been met.
These include:
- Duty of care – The defendant had a responsibility to keep you safe or out of harm’s way.
- Breach of duty – The defendant failed to uphold their obligations.
- Causation – The defendant’s actions caused your injuries or damages.
- Damages – You suffered considerable injuries or damages due to the defendant’s breach of conduct.
Misconceptions
There are also many misconceptions regarding the types of injuries that warrant legal action. However, there is no specific type of injury that gives you the right to file an insurance claim or civil lawsuit.
If your injuries have substantially impacted you emotionally, financially, or physically, you can receive compensation for these damages. Examples of injuries you might suffer following a truck accident in Oklahoma include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Lacerations
- Organ failure and internal bleeding
- Broken and fractured bones
- Burn injuries
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYHow Semi-Truck Accidents Happen in Oklahoma
You can expect your semi-truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma to conduct a thorough investigation so we can determine how your collision occurred. This will help us identify liable parties and recover maximum compensation for your damages. Some of the top causes of commercial truck accidents include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) work-hour regulations violations
- Safety violations
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Speeding
- Failure to stop or yield
- Making illegal turns
- Aggressive driving
- Improperly trained truck drivers
- Dangerous road conditions
- Defective 18-wheeler parts
Who Could Be Liable for Your Semi-Truck Accident Damages
Once your semi-truck accident lawyer has completed their investigation, they will know who should be responsible for your injuries. It is not unusual for multiple parties to share blame in commercial truck accidents.
For example, if the truck driver who caused your accident was intoxicated, you might have grounds for a claim against others besides them. You could sue local dram shops for serving alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated. You may even have a case against the trucking company for failing to do their due diligence in hiring the truck driver.
Some of the top parties named liable in semi-truck accident lawsuits include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Cargo loaders
- Safety inspectors
- Semi-truck maintenance workers
- 18-wheeler parts designers and distributors
- The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT)
- Government agencies and municipalities
Recoverable Damages After an Oklahoma Semi-Truck Accident
Before we can proceed with your claim, your Oklahoma semi-truck accident lawyer will need to calculate the value of your damages. You have the right to be compensated for economic damages which have a monetary value and non-economic damages which do not.
Your lawyer needs to quantify non-economic damages to ensure you receive fair restitution. Here are some of the most common types of recoverable damages after a semi-truck accident in Oklahoma:
Lost Wages
Getting compensation for your lost income will be crucial. Many truck accident victims live paycheck to paycheck and simply cannot afford to go without even one payday. The liable party should be ordered to cover your loss of hourly income and diminished earning potential and even compensate you for your loss of employee-related benefits, such as:
- Retirement savings contributions from your employer
- Employer-provided health insurance
- Paid time off, including vacation time and sick time
- Bonuses, salary increases, and promotions
Healthcare Costs
You do not want to get stuck covering the costs of your medical care after a collision with a semi-truck. Even minor injuries can wind up costing tens of thousands of dollars or more. Some of the various healthcare costs the liable party should cover include:
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter medications
- Diagnostic testing
- Medical devices and equipment
- Hospital stay
- Transportation costs
- Mental health counseling
- Home accommodations
- Ongoing home healthcare
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Future medical expenses
Emotional Trauma
You can also be awarded compensation for the emotional impact your injuries have had on your life. You might struggle to complete daily living tasks and be unable to maintain relationships with family and friends.
Sometimes, you might not even be able to participate in activities or events you once found meaningful and satisfying. If you develop anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or otherwise suffer a diminished quality of life, these damages can be recouped in your semi truck accident claim.
Meet with a Semi-Truck Accident Lawyer in Oklahoma for Help Today
When you feel intimidated at the thought of moving forward with your insurance or civil claims, you can feel confident when you enlist the services of a knowledgeable and dedicated Oklahoma semi-truck accident attorney at BDIW Law.
Our firm proudly offers no-cost, risk-free consultations to truck accident victims across Oklahoma. Claim yours as soon as today by filling out our online contact form or calling our office.
