The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that over 4,500 truck accidents occurred in 2011. On average, commercial vehicles weigh 20-30 times more than a passenger vehicle. Due to the size discrepancy between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles, the results are often disastrous when the vehicles are involved in collision. Sadly, 1,441 people were either injured or killed in truck accidents during 2011.
These vehicles are extremely dangerous for number of reasons. Some large truck dangers include inexperienced drivers, fatigued truckers and truck defects.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma truck accident, you may have grounds for legal action. Contact the Tulsa personal injury attorneys at The Edwards Law Firm to explore your legal options.
For additional information about truck accident lawsuits, fill out the Free Case Review today.
Inexperienced Truckers
Any individual that wishes to operate a commercial vehicle must have a valid commercial drivers license (CDL). Just because someone has a CDL, it doesnt mean that the person is an experienced truck driver. It simply means that the person has passed the minimal skills and knowledge tests concerning the type of vehicle he or she proposes to drive.
Trucking companies have a duty to make sure that their employees have enough training to safely operate their vehicles and to handle the cargo that is on the truck.
Fatigued Drivers
One of the greatest dangers of commercial vehicles is that they are often operated by drivers who are fatigued. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that driver fatigue and a lack of sleep may be a contributing factor to 30-40 percent of all truck accidents. The NTSB found that in 31 percent of truck accidents where the trucker was fatally injured, fatigue was a factor.
Oftentimes, truck drivers feel pressured to cover as many miles in as little time as possible, which causes them to break federal rules. Some companies offer drivers incentives if they complete their delivery ahead of schedule; this can cause drivers to stay on the road when they are fatigued.
If you were involved in a truck accident that you believed was cause by driver fatigue, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Truck Defects
Another contributing factor to truck accidents is equipment failure. Federal regulations require trucking companies to regularly inspect their vehicles. Truck defects not only put the truck driver in harms way, it also puts innocent motorists on the road in danger too.
Some common truck defects include:
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failure
- Broken headlights and turn signals
- Defective mirrors
- Underride guard failures
- Faulty windshield wipers
If a truck defect resulted in a collision, the trucking company and the truck driver may be held liable for the damages.
Oklahoma Truck Accident Attorneys
Large truck dangers cause thousands of crashes across the United States every year. If you or a family member suffered an injury in a truck accident due to the negligence of another, you may entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages associated with the accident.
At The Edwards Law Firm, our attorneys and staff are equipped to handle all types of truck accidents. Over the years, we have helped numerous clients receive favorable outcomes for their legal claims.
To speak with an attorney about your truck accident, fill out the contact form on this page.
