Experiencing a truck accident in Oklahoma City can leave you feeling distressed and isolated. You not only have to deal with severe injuries but also the financial burden of medical expenses and the challenge of reclaiming your former quality of life.
These elements are vital to consider when exploring your legal choices, and Ylla | Gosney’s team is here to assist you. Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers have the expertise and ability you need to handle these traumatic accidents, and can make sure you get the rightful care and support as mandated by Oklahoma law. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation if you’ve been hurt in a truck accident.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Oklahoma City?
With its central location, Oklahoma City sees a high presence of large trucks on its roads. This leads to an increased risk of accidents involving these vehicles and smaller passenger cars and trucks. Unfortunately, when such accidents occur, you and your passengers in the smaller vehicles can sustain severe injuries or even lose their lives. That said, the reality is that because it’s possible, even likely that you could be in one of these accidents, it’s important to know how to respond.
While truck accidents are usually more substantial in terms of the damage they cause, you should approach them like any other vehicle accident, making sure to:
- Check for injuries – As with any other vehicle accident, the first step is to prioritize your health and safety and check you and your passengers for any injuries. If you’re hurt, make sure to get medical care.
- Alert law enforcement – Place a call to 911 to notify the authorities of the accident. Law enforcement will arrive at the scene to compile an incident report, which holds significance for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Share information – You’ll want to be sure to exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver and other involved parties. Make sure you take down their names, phone numbers, addresses, and license plate numbers.
- Gather evidence – If safety allows, collect evidence of the accident site, especially photos and videos. This should show the positioning of vehicles, the extent of damages, skid marks, and any pertinent road signage or conditions.
- Get information from any witnesses – In cases where witnesses are present, secure their contact information. Their testimonies may prove invaluable at a later stage.
- Alert your insurance – Make contact with your insurance company to officially report the accident. Supply them with a thorough and precise account of the incident.
- Preserve any evidence – Keep records of all relevant documents, such as medical records, repair estimates, and any expenses related to the accident.
- Avoid discussing fault – Do not admit fault or discuss blame with other parties at the scene. Let the evidence and our team handle any determination of liability.
Other Factors
While all vehicle accidents in Oklahoma City carry inherent risks, truck accidents involve heightened dangers due to several factors, including:
- Severe injuries – Collisions with commercial trucks often result in severe injuries due to their size and weight, posing a significant threat to occupants of other vehicles.
- Higher fatality rates – Truck accidents are more likely to lead to fatalities than regular car accidents due to their greater force of impact, size disparities, and the potential transport of hazardous cargo.
- Extensive property damage – Truck accidents frequently cause substantial property damage, affecting vehicles, structures, roads, bridges, and infrastructure, leading to costly repairs.
- Traffic congestion – These accidents can result in major traffic disruptions, especially on busy highways, causing delays, frustration, and an increased risk of additional accidents as drivers navigate around the crash site.
- Environmental hazards – If hazardous materials are being transported, truck accidents can pose environmental risks, with spills or leaks contaminating the surroundings and endangering both human health and the ecosystem.
As you can see, the potential consequences and aftermath of truck accidents are far-reaching. That’s why the claims process will be extremely important in your overall recovery.
Claims Process in an Oklahoma City Truck Accident Case
Every truck accident in Oklahoma City is unique, with various factors and circumstances at play. Nonetheless, there is a specific legal process that typically unfolds in these situations that includes the following components:
- Determining liability -The first step is usually identifying who is responsible for the accident. In truck accidents, this can be complex, involving multiple parties such as:
- The truck driver
- The truck driver’s employer
- The company that built or assembled the truck
- The truck’s owner or lessor
- The person or company responsible for truck maintenance
- The truck manufacturer
- The manufacturer of specific truck parts in cases of equipment failure
The specifics of the accident will dictate who is liable for the damages. If the accident resulted from the truck driver’s negligence, such as speeding or driving under the influence, they or their employer may be at fault. Conversely, if the accident was due to factors like a tire blowout or improper loading, the responsibility could fall on the part manufacturer or cargo-loading company.
- Filing a claim – Once you’ve addressed your health and well-being, you can pursue support and benefits through an injury claim. Our experienced team can assist you in navigating the complexities of a truck accident claim.
Generally, this can be done by either an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. This process will allow you to recover financial support, known as “damages.” Depending on the specifics of the accident, these damages can include:
- Medical bills and costs – This includes expenses for medical treatments like doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and related medical costs.
- Treatment and therapy expenses – Costs associated with ongoing care and rehabilitation, which may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, counseling, or other necessary treatments.
- Lost wages – Compensation for income you cannot earn due to injuries preventing you from working, including the wages or salary you would have earned during your recovery period.
- Emotional distress – Addressing emotional pain and suffering, encompassing a range of negative emotions that affect your well-being, such as sadness, grief, humiliation, or anguish.
The amount of damage depends on how high your medical bills are and how much emotional pain the accident caused. In many truck accidents, the damages are significant. So, it’s important to know about the two-year time limit (statute of limitations) to file a truck accident claim in Oklahoma from the date of the accident. If you miss this deadline, you can’t ask for the compensation you need.
Frequent Injuries in Oklahoma City Truck Accidents
Not surprisingly, one of the most alarming aspects of truck accidents is the injuries they inflict on drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles. Even a minor collision with a large truck can lead to severe injuries. :
- Brain injuries -Truck accidents often result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that vary from mild concussions to severe brain damage, affecting cognitive, emotional, and physical functions.
- Spinal injuries – These accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to paralysis, loss of sensation, and chronic pain, significantly impacting your quality of life.
- Broken bones – Fractured bones, ranging from minor fractures to severe breaks necessitating surgery and extended recovery, are common in truck accidents.
- Burns – Burns can result from these accidents, whether from fire, hot liquids, or chemicals, leading to scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma.
- Soft tissue damage – Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash and strains, are prevalent, causing significant pain and discomfort, often requiring physical therapy or chiropractic treatment.
- Internal injuries – Truck accidents can also cause internal injuries like internal bleeding, organ damage, and pneumothorax (collapsed lung), which can be life-threatening and demand immediate medical attention.
After any truck accident, it’s crucial to seek medical care, especially if you’ve sustained more severe injuries. Once you’ve received medical attention, you can begin planning your next steps, which will depend on the specific circumstances of your accident. Overall, though, if you decide to work with our experienced team of truck accident lawyers, we’ll be there to guide you through the entire process from start to finish.
You Can Depend on Our Oklahoma City Truck Lawyers
Accidents with trucks can be extremely traumatic and challenging, especially if you or a passenger are injured. In these trying times, you can depend on our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers.
At Ylla | Gosney, we have the experience and guidance you can trust when it comes to truck accidents. We’ll explain your options and provide you with sound legal guidance to make sure you can recover from your injuries. To set up your free consultation, contact us today.