TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA

Driving is part of our everyday lives. In Oklahoma, we're blessed with lots of open space, but that comes with a need for highways to connect different cities and parts of the state. The number of highways that cross Oklahoma qualifies as one of the top 20 states throughout the country for total highway miles. While this may be convenient for our daily commutes, it also means our state experiences a high volume of large truck traffic.

Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers all fall within the same category of large, unnerving vehicles. While they play an important part in our nation's economy, it can be scary to find yourself driving next to one — and understandably so. These types of trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as an average passenger vehicle, and when involved in a crash, can cause serious damage. In 2017, 97% of vehicle occupants killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck were occupants of the passenger vehicles.

Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Though not all truck accidents are fatal, they often have serious consequences for the injured. There are a number of reasons as to why such accidents can occur, including:

• Driver fatigue

• Inadequate operations training or vehicle maintenance

• Changing lanes abruptly in front of a truck

• Speed

• Road conditions

• Distracted driving

And that’s just to name a few. Even the most seemingly minor driving errors, such as failing to signal before passing or not accelerating sufficiently, can result in a catastrophic accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Oklahoma, you need the heavy-hitters® at the Law Offices of Jeff Martin on your side. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we can help you uncover the cause of your accident and fight for due compensation to cover the costs of recovery for your injuries.

Common Injuries Resulting from a Truck Accident

We’ve established that injuries sustained in a truck accident can be very severe, if not fatal. Not only can a collision with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer cause irreparable damage to your vehicle, but it may also leave you with permanent disabilities. Some of the most common injuries seen in truck accidents include:

• Burns

• Broken bones

• Head and neck injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Paralysis

• Disfigurement or amputation

Suffering from any of the above can significantly alter your quality of life. Whether that be for the short-term or long-term, you need to be able to focus on your recovery and not be bogged down with legalities after an accident. If you’ve been injured in an accident anywhere in Oklahoma, our Tulsa-based team of experienced personal injury attorneys is here for you.

Types of Compensation in a Truck Accident Claim

When you choose to work with a qualified attorney on your case and it’s determined that you have legal grounds for a claim to compensation, there are different types of compensation that you could be eligible to receive. It will all depend on the circumstances surrounding your accident and the extent of your injuries.

The three main categories that types of compensation fall under are:

• Economic Damages - items that can be assigned an actual dollar amount, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and cost for ongoing rehabilitative services.

• Non-Economic Damages - intangible elements, such as future lost earnings, pain and suffering, or the costs of recovering from distress with grief or emotional counseling.

• Punitive Damages - in rarer cases, punitive damages may be awarded if it can be proven that the at-fault driver knowingly ignored safety laws or displayed malicious, dangerous driving that resulted in the accident.

To ensure that the right person and/or entity is held responsible and you receive fair compensation after your accident, don’t take on your legal challenges alone. At the Law Offices of Jeff Martin, our personal injury attorneys are prepared to help you so that you can focus on what matters most — your recovery. Contact us today and learn how our experience can work for you.