Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyer-Truck Accident FAQ

Truck accident victims have a lot to deal with. Aside from their injuries which can be quite severe, they often times have a legal claim that they need to pursue in ordered to be compensated for the damages resulting from the truck accident. Truck accidents can be very expensive; with the medical bills, loss of wages, damaged vehicles and personal property it can really add up. The stress of dealing with an insurance adjuster whose main goal is to pay you as little as possible is difficult to handle for someone not familiar with the claims process. Much of this stress can be relieved by seeking good legal representation. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you in the claims process by dealing with the insurance company for you and looking out for your best interests when it comes to the cash settlement. An attorney with experience means a lot when it comes to settling your truck accident claim and they can take care of the relationship between you and the insurance company.

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE CASE EVALUATION

Common types of truck accidents

Antruck accident can occur for a variety of reasons. The most common being a collision between a passenger vehicle and a semi truck. The collision could be head on, during a lane change, or even hitting a truck that has tipped over and is blocking your lane of travel. When fully loaded it is not uncommon for a semi truck to weigh as much as eighty thousand pounds; the typical weight of a passenger vehicle being only three thousand. When the two forces collide, the sheer physics tend to be in the favor of the larger vehicle. In fact many times the truck driver will walk away from a serious truck accident with only minor cuts and bruises, while those in the smaller vehicle are severely injured or even killed. The bottom line is that even with today's vehicle safety features, a passenger vehicle is not designed to protect its passengers in a collision with a semi truck. Antruck accident attorney should be consulted immediately after your accident, as there are important steps they must take to protect your rights.

Basic maneuvers like turning a corner can prove to be hazardous when you are hauling a large trailer or tandem trailer rig. If the turn is not taken wide enough the trailer can swing around too tight, leaving everything in its path in danger. Whether it is pedestrians at a crosswalk or unseen cyclists, those traveling near a semi truck can be badly hurt or killed in a truck accident.

Truck drivers are hard workers, commonly working long hours on the road. Another common cause of antruck accident is fatigued driving. Drivers that do not have adequate rest are a hazard to all others on the road. State and federal laws require truck drivers to keep detailed and accurate records of how many hours and miles they have been driving. Depending on the state, drivers are only allowed to drive a certain number of hours before they must stop and rest. These laws were designed to keep truck drivers and other drivers safe. It is not uncommon for a driver to "cheat the log books" and falsely record their hours so that they can drive longer and in turn get paid more. This is not only illegal but extremely dangerous; a fatigued driver traveling at high speed with an 80,000 lb payload can be a moving death machine.

I Was Involved in a Truck Accident, What Next?

The first step is obviously to seek medical care for you and those injured. If you are able to, start collecting information about the wreck. Write down what happened while it is fresh in your memory; often times after a traumatic incident like antruck accident, the small but important details are forgotten. Gather information from witnesses to the truck wreck and write down their contact information as well. If your vehicle needs to be towed away from the scene, find out where it is and notify your attorney. If the insurance company offers to fix it for you right away, it usually means they are trying to cover something up. By fixing your vehicle they can hide or destroy some vital evidence in your case that may be present in the damages on your vehicle. Antruck accident attorney can advise you of what to do in this situation.

DON'T LET A BIG INSURANCE COMPANY BULLY YOU AROUND

Who is at fault?

It may be tough to determine who is at fault on first inspection of a truck wreck.  There are many factors that are considered when determining fault. Many trucking companies hire drivers as contract laborers, meaning that they are not employees. If the driver caused the wreck because of his direct negligence, he may be at fault and not the trucking company. If the trucking company provided the driver with a truck that was not suitable for travel, the trucking company may be at fault. If part of the truck failed and caused an accident because of a manufacturers defect, the manufacturer may be at fault. Having experienced legal representation during the investigation of a truck crash will greatly benefit you as an experienced truck accident attorney knows what to look for and will build a solid case in your favor.

The insurance company will have a team of inspectors and adjusters working hard to prove their innocence; wouldn't you want a team representing you and looking out for your best interests? Truck accident attorneys are here to help you. Call today for a free case evaluation and get the ball rolling on your potential settlement.

Many times the insurance companies will try to get a statement from you immediately after the truck wreck. This is not advised as their goal is get you to say something that will release them of guilt. Always have an attorney present when speaking to an insurance adjuster and especially when giving a recorded statement. Your statement may be used against you at a later time and your attorney can advise you on how to handle your unique case.