Oklahoma Lawyer Answers Frequently Asked Truck Accident Questions
Who Is at Fault For My Truck Crash?
How Much Does an Oklahoma Truck Accident Attorney Cost?
The Insurance Company Offered Me A Settlement, Should I Accept It?
How Much Money Can I Get for My Truck Accident Claim?
Do I Still Have Time to File an Injury Claim After My Truck Collision?
Does Car Insurance Cover Truck Accidents?
My Insurance Company Won’t Pay My Claim. What Should I Do?
Can I File a Claim against Multiple Parties?
How Are Truck Accident Claims Different from Car Accident Claims?
Holding a truck driver and/or a trucking company responsible for the overwhelming damages and losses you have suffered in a collision with one of their vehicles can be more than a little intimidating. But if you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident due to another's careless actions, you are legally entitled to take action. Don't wait another moment to explore your legal options with a reliable advocate. Review the following frequently asked questions and call Car Accident Help at (405) 285-4357 for a free consultation today.
Play Video
FREE Auto Accident BookQ: Who Is at Fault For My Truck Crash?
A: Proving liability after a runaway trailer crash, jackknife accident, or other big rig accident is a complex matter made all the more complicated if multiple parties are at fault. It is strongly suggested that you hire an accomplished trucking accident lawyer to help you build a strong case, supported by material evidence and testimony.
Your attorney will have the knowledge and resources to investigate the circumstances of your particular accident to determine whether the truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, or other agency directly caused or contributed to the incident. The driver may have been operating his/her vehicle while fatigued, distracted, or intoxicated; the driver's employer may bear some responsibility for pressuring him or her to disobey safety regulations and spend more time on the road, or faulty mechanics and defective machinery may have contributed to a mechanical breakdown which led to the accident.
Q: How Much Does an Oklahoma Truck Accident Attorney Cost?
A: The costly impact of a truck collision can make the thought of hiring an attorney seem completely out of reach. That is why Car Accident Help is more than happy to offer our services on a contingency fee basis, which means no upfront costs, no hidden fees. You will not owe a cent for our representation as our payment is a percentage of the final verdict or settlement. If there is no recovery, you do not have to pay a cent.
Q: The Insurance Company Offered Me A Settlement, Should I Accept It?
A: No, not until you have had a chance to discuss the amount with your legal representative. It is all too likely that the insurance adjustor working for the trucking company will want to settle for the lowest amount possible. It is in your best wishes to direct any offers or correspondence to your Oklahoma truck accident lawyer who will negotiate on your behalf.
Q: How Much Money Can I Get for My Truck Accident Claim?
A: The final amount of money you may be able to recover for your claim will depend on the financial, physical, and non-economic losses you have suffered. You may be entitled to coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. A judge may also award punitive damages if the at-fault party's actions were especially egregious, not to mention illegal.
An attorney can evaluate the damages you have suffered and will fight to get you the full and fair amount you deserve.
Q: Do I Still Have Time to File an Injury Claim After My Truck Collision?
A: In the state of Oklahoma, you will typically have within two years of the date of injury or death after a truck accident to pursue your rightful compensation. However, there are many exceptions and it is in your best interest to consult with a qualified truck accident lawyer to discuss the specifics of your situation. You may still be eligible to take legal action.
Time is of the essence. The best chance you have at securing the money you need to recover after a negligent truck has harmed you or a loved one is to speak to a lawyer right away. Do not wait another moment to contact Car Accident Help to get started on your claim today. Call (405) 285-4357 now!
Q: Does Car Insurance Cover Truck Accidents?
A: Yes, if you are involved in a truck accident in your passenger vehicle, your automobile insurance coverage should apply. A collision with a large commercial truck can cause serious injuries to occupants of much smaller passenger vehicles. If you have been hurt in such an accident caused by the negligence of the truck driver, trucking company, or another party, the responsible party’s insurance company may not pay your medical bills immediately. In that case, your own automobile insurance policy may cover these costs until your case is resolved.
Q: My Insurance Company Won’t Pay My Claim. What Should I Do?
A: Like many people, you may reasonably assume that you pay your premiums, so, in a sense, the insurance company works for you, and should promptly pay valid claims. Unfortunately, this is far from the what happens in many cases. Insurance companies are in business for profit, with their own bottom line as a priority. You might need an attorney to protect your rights and stand up to the insurance company to get your claim paid at a fair level.
Q: Can I File a Claim against Multiple Parties?
A: Absolutely. In truck accident cases, more than one party may be liable for your injuries, all of whom will be named in your claim. This is one of the factors that make truck accident cases typically far more complex than car accident cases. Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to file against the truck driver, the trucking company, a truck or parts manufacturer, the maintenance and repair shop, a shipping company, or the government agency responsible for maintaining roads and highways.
Q: How Are Truck Accident Claims Different from Car Accident Claims?
A: If you have been seriously injured in a crash with a large commercial truck, it is important to find an attorney to represent you who has significant experience handling this particular type of automobile accident claim. There are several important differences between truck accident claims and car accident claims.
To begin with, the stakes are usually higher in truck accident injury claims. When an 80,000 lb 18-wheeler collides with a 3,000 lb. passenger vehicle, it is very likely to result in catastrophic injuries or death for the occupants of a passenger vehicle. Trucking companies and their insurers are aware of this and have teams of attorneys in place to protect their own interests.
Truck accident cases, from a legal standpoint, are far more complex than car accident cases. The trucking industry is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and subject to a vast body of federal regulations. Commercial trucks are equipped with Electronic Control Modules (ECMs), also known as black boxes, which provide important information about the truck’s operations, which must be accessed as part of the evidence supporting your claim.
Unlike car accidents, there may be multiple responsible parties in a truck accident claim. Liable parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, a shipping company that overloaded the truck, a defective parts manufacture, a government agency that failed to maintain the road, or other potentially responsible parties.
Our Oklahoma attorneys at Car Accident Help have been successfully representing truck accident victims for many years, aggressively pursuing justice for our clients. Call us at (405) 285-4357 for a free case evaluation.
Related Links
Don't Wreck Twice
You've Already Wrecked Your Car, Now DON'T Wreck Your Case! Get your FREE instant download to learn EXACTLY what you need to do so that you don't wreck twice!
Download Now