Stillwater relies on semi-trucks to transport all types of goods, products, and food from warehouses and manufacturing plants to stores. When these trucks are involved in accidents, they can leave devastating impacts on all those involved. A Stillwater truck accident attorney from BDIW Law can examine your case and help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Stillwater
It is the responsibility of every semi-truck driver to follow the rules of the road in order to keep themselves and all others around them safe. When they fail to follow these rules, they can cause serious accidents resulting in traumatic situations. The most common causes of semi-truck accidents in Stillwater include the following:
Driver Fatigue
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are hours of service regulations all truck drivers must follow. If the truck driver does not take breaks and drives fatigued, it can lead to serious accidents.
Distracted Truck Drivers
Truck drivers who are distracted often cause semi-truck accidents. When their eyes and thoughts are focused on anything other than driving, it becomes easy to swerve into oncoming traffic, crash into the rear of a stopped vehicle, veer off the road, and travel at speeds higher than the posted limits.
Mechanical Defects of Truck Parts
A truck will only operate safely if it is taken care of with regular maintenance and upkeep. Mechanical defects that can cause a truck to crash include worn brakes, damaged tires, poor transmission, faulty engines, poor steering, and ignoring recall notices.
Errors by the Semi-Truck Driver
It is not uncommon for a semi-truck driver to make errors when operating their truck. It takes a lot of skill, finesse, and concentration to safely operate a vehicle that weighs close to 80,000 pounds. One mistake or error can cause the truck to flip onto its side, roll over, or slide down an embankment.
A semi-truck accident lawyer in Stillwater, OK, can investigate the reason for the crash that left you injured.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
The cargo of the semi-truck must be loaded correctly to avoid an accident. If cargo is not secured properly or there is too much cargo based on the maximum load weight of the truck, it can lead to a serious accident.
The Condition of the Road
The conditions of the road can also lead to a semi-truck accident. Road conditions that cause accidents include potholes, road debris, missing street signs, poorly lit roadways, and more. An experienced semi-truck accident attorney in Stillwater, OK, will know how to hold the local authorities accountable for a crash caused by road conditions.
Excessive Speed
Semi-trucks should not travel at excessive speeds, but they often do because the drivers feel they can still safely control the truck. However, a semi-truck traveling at excessive speeds can crush other vehicles and lead to fatal accidents.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYParties Who Can Be Held Accountable in a Stillwater, OK, Semi-Truck Accident
Maintaining and operating a semi-truck involves a lot of different people, all of whom could wind up sharing liability in a semi-truck crash. Parties who can be held liable include the following:
- The driver of the semi-truck
- The owner of the truck
- The trucking company
- The local government
- The truck manufacturer or a parts manufacturer
- The cargo company
Our experienced semi-truck accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash in order to determine liability.
Injuries Caused by Semi-Truck Accidents
The severity of the semi-truck crash will determine how serious the injuries are that you suffer. If it was a minor fender-bender that occurred at a slow speed, you might only deal with minor whiplash or a bruised arm. If the truck totaled your vehicle, you might suffer a traumatic brain injury or another type of serious injury.
Common injuries include the following:
- Permanent disfigurement
- Amputation
- Spinal cord trauma
- Herniated discs
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Death
If your loved one died in a semi-truck accident, you will be able to file a wrongful death claim against the liable party.
Recovering Compensation in a Semi-Truck Accident Claim
Victims of semi-truck accidents in Stillwater, OK, are entitled to compensation for their losses. The most common damages caused by a semi-truck accident include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy expenses
- The cost of medical equipment
- Cost to renovate your home if you are paralyzed as a result of the crash
The Possibility of Punitive Damages
If the circumstances surrounding the semi-truck accident are severe, the jury assigned to the case might award punitive damages. These are awarded in an effort to punish the defendant for their actions. For example, if the truck driver acted purposely when causing the crash, punitive damages will likely be awarded and can be quite high.
Why You Need a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney in Stillwater on Your Side
Suffering an injury in a semi-truck crash can be devastating. Your life might be turned upside down, and you possibly might never work again. No matter the situation, you deserve to be represented by the experienced and compassionate Stillwater semi-truck accident lawyers from BDIW Law.
We understand how your life can change in an instant when involved in a truck accident, which is why we fight to protect the rights of all our clients. It will not be easy dealing with insurance adjusters and investigators and being offered settlements that are less than what you deserve.
At BDIW Law, our Stillwater semi-truck accident attorneys are ready to examine your case, collect evidence, speak to witnesses, and fight for your right to fair compensation. You should not have to worry about paying the bills or providing for your family when trying to recover from serious injuries.
Call a Stillwater Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a semi-truck accident in Stillwater, OK, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. Call an experienced Stillwater semi-truck accident attorney from BDIW Law to discuss your case.
