Accidents involving tractor-trailers happen much too often because truck drivers and car drivers have a hard time sharing the road. Trucks are much larger than automobiles, and they’re also harder to control. When trucks and vehicles collide, seeking help from a truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City is very important. The physical and legal consequences can be catastrophic for everyone involved. Severe and sometimes fatal injuries can make it impossible to return to life as normal.
When such devastating injuries result from someone else’s negligence in a truck wreck, the recovery process can become increasingly difficult. You’re already going through immense physical and emotional hardships, and on top of that, you may feel that justice has yet to be served. Not only do you deserve compensation for your injuries, but the negligent party also needs to be held accountable.
Achieving this accountability and securing the compensation you deserve requires experienced legal representation. An Oklahoma truck accident lawyer from Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman can assist you in picking up the pieces of your life by ensuring financial stress isn’t added to your plate during recovery. We’ll do a deep investigation into your accident to pinpoint who was at fault for your wreck and then fight to make sure you walk away with the maximum settlement amount possible.
When trying to determine liability, your truck accident attorney will gather all of the available evidence from your crash, such as police reports, medical records, witness testimonies, video footage and photographs. All of this information will be helpful because it can show why the wreck happened, what injuries were caused by the crash and, ultimately, who was at fault.
The benefit of having an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer on your side is that your lawyer will work tirelessly to ensure all possible parties are held accountable in your case. Pinpointing more than one liable party, if applicable, can maximize your settlement amount.
For example, if you were hit by a distracted driver and the truck caught on fire and caused burn injuries due to a truck malfunction, then both the truck driver and the truck manufacturer may be held liable.
Many drivers who are injured in truck accidents avoid filing claims for compensation because they’re partially at fault for causing the wreck and are unaware of Oklahoma’s modified comparative negligence law. If you were partially at fault in your accident, this law gives you the right to file a claim and still receive compensation from the other liable parties.
Once your percentage of fault is calculated, it’ll be taken out of your overall claim amount. For instance, if you’re found to be 20% at fault for the accident and your claim amount ends up being $100,000, you’ll ultimately receive $80,000. The modified comparative negligence law protects all parties involved and gives everyone the right to receive money for the damages they’ve suffered.
Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons, and more often than not, the truck driver is at fault because they have a hard time seeing other vehicles on the road and controlling such a large vehicle. In general, there are a variety of things that can go wrong with trucks because a lot of factors are involved in the control, maintenance, operation and safety of a big rig.
Understanding how the most common types of truck accidents occur is essential for identifying the responsible parties. Truck accident cases our firm handles in Oklahoma include:
Our truck accident lawyers in Oklahoma City understand how these issues contribute to devastating collisions, and we are prepared to investigate your claim.
Just like car accident injuries, truck accident injuries can range from moderate to severe. Broken bones, concussions, burns, amputations, spinal damage, and other traumatic injuries can all result from truck wrecks, depending on the type and severity of the collision. These injuries can involve large medical expenses, long-term side effects, and extensive recovery periods.
Truck accidents frequently cause severe injuries, many of which can lead to permanent disability. Some of the most common injuries seen in truck accident victims are:
Aside from the physical injuries that may occur from your accident, emotional damage is also possible, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and shock. Your mental health deserves the same attention as your physical health, and the costs of such treatment should be fully covered.
Your truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City will work closely with your doctor when trying to calculate your settlement amount, but the damages you’ve suffered will include more than just your initial medical expenses. Future medical expenses will also be taken into consideration, as well as other economic damages, such as property damages and loss of earning ability.
Depending on which parties are responsible for the truck accident, you may be able to recover compensation in several different ways. The main way is by filing an auto insurance claim against the truck driver.
In Oklahoma, all drivers must have the following minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage:
If the trucking company is partially liable for the accident, you can also file a claim against their insurance. Depending on the truck’s weight and the type of cargo it was carrying, this insurance may reach up to $5 million in liability coverage.
And if any other parties contributed to the accident, such as truck manufacturers, maintenance providers, or government entities, you can also file personal injury lawsuits against them.
Noneconomic damages will also be considered, which are ways in which the accident has affected your lifestyle. Noneconomic damages can include pain and suffering, loss of consortium, scarring and disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
After a truck accident, insurance companies often employ strategies designed to minimize your compensation. Being aware of these tactics can protect your rights during the claims process.
Watch out for these common insurance company tactics:
These tactics are precisely why attempting to handle a truck accident claim without legal representation can severely compromise your recovery. An experienced truck accident attorney in Oklahoma City can spot these deceptive practices early on and counter them immediately.
The state of Oklahoma has a statute of limitations of two years on personal injury lawsuits. This means you’ll need to file a claim for your truck accident injuries within two years of when the truck accident occurred or else the court won’t hear your case and you won’t receive compensation for your injuries. If you were diagnosed with your injury at a later date, the statute of limitations will begin then.
There’s only a slim chance that your truck accident case will go to trial because it’s likely that you’ll be able to receive the compensation you deserve through a settlement agreement outside of court. Your truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City will do everything in their power to ensure your case is settled as quickly and as easily as possible; however, if you do go to court, testifying can ensure your voice is heard.
If the accident occurred within the state lines of Oklahoma, it makes no difference whether the truck was traveling from out of state. It’s fairly common that trucks will be traveling from out of state, but you can still file a claim against them for compensation.
Since 2014, our Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman lawyers have secured substantial compensation through verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims across Oklahoma. Communication and collaboration are central to our approach.
Our legal team tackles each case together, using collaborative efforts and trial experience to protect your interests. We understand truck accidents are stressful enough. That’s why we keep you informed at every stage of your legal journey, not leave you in the dark.
“Steve, Leanna, Kristin and the staff were outstanding! They were very helpful professional and knowledgeable. They were available and gave precise information. Thank you so much for everything you did to help me!” – Dianne H.
Based in Norman, our award-winning team brings practical knowledge of Oklahoma roads and courts to your case. With us, you don’t just get one attorney – you get a dedicated legal group fighting for the money you deserve after a serious truck collision.
When you get injured in a tractor-trailer accident, it can feel impossible to make a full recovery when you know someone else was responsible for causing you harm. Seeking justice can ensure you’re financially covered as you try to return to normal life, and it’ll give you peace of mind knowing the liable parties were held accountable.
At Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman, we’re prepared to fight on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve. If you’re ready to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Oklahoma City about your case, call us at 405-364-8300 or fill out the contact form.
