Oklahoma Truck Accidents
Truck wrecks and auto accidents are vastly different. Cars may weigh 4,000 pounds. Semi tractor trailer rigs can weigh 80,000 pounds or more. Imagine what that weight difference can do to you and your family. Big truck rigs for commercial firms, delivery trucks, and the like are also much heavier than the personal auto. Truck wrecks cause more serious injury and death. The only good thing is that they usually have one million ($1,000,000) dollars or more insurance. So they can pay adequately for the damages they cause. However, their attorneys and investigators are at the scene of an 18 wheeler truck wreck or accident within a few hours of when it happens, photographing and measuring—and tire skids and scuffs fade quickly.
That is why you need a lawyer and investigator on YOUR SIDE as soon as possible.
Call now 1-800-BIG-TRUCK (244-8782) www.garrettlawoffice.com
Contact us today if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident by using the form on your left or by calling us toll-free at 1 (866) 664-0400 for a FREE case review.
The most common causes for fatal truck accidents in Oklahoma are:
- Oversized trucks
- Inexperience of the truck drive
- Driving the truck in bad weather
- Lack of training
- Aggressive driving behavior
- Overloaded trucks
- Poorly maintained truck brakes
- Poor driving conditions do to low visibility from rain, fog, snow, or smoke
- Fatigued, sleepy or tired driver
- Driving too long and too many hours without rest
- Driving over the legal speed limit
- Running off the road
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Driving to fast for the road conditions and traffic
- Truck drivers driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
- Unsafe safety systems, reflectors, lights, and other warning devices
- Failure of truck to install an under-ride protection under-guard
Trucker Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Oklahoma Trucking Safety Standards
In order to reduce the number of semi truck accidents, the trucking industry is required to meet safety regulations that affect the way these trucks are driven, loaded, and maintained. Failure to comply with these regulations can create dangerous conditions that may sometimes result in semi truck accidents. According FMCSA semi truck drivers must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold a current CDL (commercial drivers license)
- Regularly inspect and maintain their semi trucks and trailers
- Be physically qualified to operate a semi truck
- Adhere to Federal regulations on maximum driving times
Oklahoma City Truck Accidents
Oklahoma City semi truck accidents are particularly devastating to those involved. In Oklahoma City, we are particularly affected by semi truck accidents because we are near highway shipping lanes where many semi trucks operate. Due to truck driver negligence or truck malfunction, accidents occur that cause serious personal injury and death.
Semi trucks are typically owned by large shipping companies, who are insured against accidents that their drivers and truck cause. Often, it is easier to recover all the money you deserve from such a large entity than from another driver, since shipping companies often carry large insurance policies.
Contact us today if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident by using the form on your left or by calling us toll-free at 1 (866) 664-0400 for a FREE case review.