Oklahoma Semi-Truck Accidents
The National Traffic Safety Administration estimates that every year, over 400,000 large trucks (including 18-wheelers and tractor trailers) are involved in trucking accidents, including semi-trucks, tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles, resulting in over 5,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries.
Investigating Oklahoma semi-truck accidents requires knowledge of the regulations governing the operation of trucking companies and truck drivers. It also requires inspections of the trucks, trailers and other vehicles involved in the accident. It is important that an investigation begin as soon as possible after an accident in order to document skid and gouge marks, operational records and vehicles condition.
Large commercial vehicles and eighteen-wheelers can pose significant hazards to most other vehicles on the road, often resulting in a semi-truck accident.
For example, when a semi-truck jackknifes on a highway, it can become an impenetrable wall resulting in a serious multiple vehicle collision. A trucker’s load may spill following a collision, creating an additional hazard for other drivers and potentially releasing hazardous chemicals. Because of their weight and size, commercial trucks can also be slow to come to a full stop.
In addition, many kinds of truck driver negligence can contribute to serious accidents. Some of these include:
- Driver Fatigue
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance
- Excessive Speed
- Unsafe Driving
Unsafe driving factors by truck drivers which frequently contribute to accidents include:
- Driving Outside of the Designated Truck Lanes
- Failure to Respect Weather Conditions
- Aggressive Driving
- Driving While Impaired by Drugs or Alcohol
- Failure to Yield Right of Way
Although the commercial trucking industry is heavily regulated, many regulations are ignored by truck drivers who try to shorten their time on the road. However, when a commercial truck driver is the employee of a trucking company, the company may be liable for injuries caused by the driver’s negligence either in its capacity as an employer or as the owner of the truck.
If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident or tractor-trailer accident,you should contact an Oklahoma semi-truck accident attorney who has experience in negotiating with these trucking companies and their insurance companies. Please contact one of our experienced Oklahoma, Tulsa and Oklahoma City Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers at Carr and Carr Attorneys.
For related information, please read from our following articles
* Oklahoma Tractor Trailer Accidents
* Oklahoma Semi-Truck Accidents
