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Edmund Truck Accident Lawyers, OK
Skilled trial lawyers who understand why truck drivers and trucking companies cause accidents
Tractor trailers, box trucks, rigs, and many other trucks are constantly driving through Edmond or making deliveries to local businesses and residences. The drivers of these trucks have a duty to drive safely. The trucking companies that hire the drivers need to ensure that the trucks are loaded so the cargo doesn’t shift. Trucks need to be inspected regularly. When trucks collide with smaller trucks and cars, the people in these smaller vehicles are likely to suffer a lifetime of pain or die.
At Cunningham & Mears, our Edmond injury lawyers are experienced and respected advocates for truck accident victims. We have more than 105 years of combined experience preparing truck accident cases so the victims and families can obtain what they deserve. We are skilled at showing how Edmond truck accidents happen, and who is responsible. We demand full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of your quality of life.
Our record of success in personal injury cases included numerous settlements and verdicts for hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars. In one case, we obtained $1. 65 million for a grandmother who was struck by a tractor-trailer that turned in front of her car causing broken legs and a broken pelvis.
Call us now to discuss your rights after a truck accident occurs.
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How can we help?
- What types of trucks cause truck accidents in Edmond?
- How dangerous are truck accidents?
- What types of truck accidents do you handle in Edmond?
- Why do truck accidents happen in Edmond?
- What laws govern commercial truck operation in Oklahoma?
- What types of injuries do Edmond truck accidents cause?
- How do you prove liability in truck accidents?
- What is the value of my Edmond truck accident claim?
- Do you have a truck accident lawyer near me?
What types of trucks cause truck accidents in Edmond?
Commercial truck drivers must have commercial licenses. They need to be able to drive trucks that often have blind spots, cargo that moves while they drive, and are difficult to steer and turn. Even drivers of small trucks are at risk of injuring other drivers because truck driving is more dangerous than driving a car. Our Edmond truck accident lawyers handle accidents involving all types of trucks including:
- Tractor-trailers
- Semis
- Rigs
- 18-wheelers
- Box trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Fire trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Dump trucks
- Back-hoes
How dangerous are truck accidents?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,097 people lost their lives in fatal truck accidents in 2022, an increase of 2% from 2021. That same year, 41,874 people sustained injuries in truck accidents, a decrease of .07% from 2021.
Trucks are generally more dangerous than cars due to their height, length, width, cargo, lack of windows, and other physical factors. Fully loaded trucks may be 20-30 times heavier than a passenger car. Trucks need more time and distance to stop safely. They’re much harder to control than passenger cars.
What types of truck accidents do you handle in Edmond?
At Cunningham & Mears, we represent victims and families in all types of truck accidents in Edmond including:
- Truck jackknife accidents. These accidents happen when the tractor and trailer go in different directions and end up perpendicular to each other. Jackknife accidents are very dangerous. They can spread across several lanes of travel.
- Truck rollovers. When drivers travel too fast through turns, swerve suddenly, or the cargo shifts, the truck can roll over creating havoc for the driver and everyone nearby.
- Blind spot accidents. Even with mirrors and videos, blind spots make it difficult for truck drivers to see on either side, in back, and directly in front of the truck. The latest blind-spot technology may help.
- Underride accidents. Some compact cars can slide under a truck when they collide with each other. Trucks should have underride guards to prevent these types of deadly accidents.
- Wide-turn accidents. Trucks often need to veer into other traffic lanes to complete their turns. Cars near the truck, especially cars to the right of the truck, can be crushed if the driver isn’t watching.
- Cargo that spills or shifts. Each truckload needs to be fully secured according to the type of cargo. Trucks should never be overloaded. When cargo shifts, the driver can lose control of the truck. When cargo spills, any vehicles nearby are in danger of an accident with the truck, the cargo, other vehicles, or roadside objects.
At Cunningham & Mears, our personal injury lawyers handle head-on crashes, intersection accidents, broadsides, merging and passing accidents, rear-end crashes, single-vehicle crashes, and multiple-vehicle collisions.
Why do truck accidents happen in Edmond?
Truck drivers need to follow the traffic laws. They need to constantly place the safety of everyone on the road ahead of making their deliveries ahead of schedule. Truck drivers and trucking companies need to know the rules and regulations that govern truck operation on Edmond roads. At Cunningham & Mears, our Edmond truck accident lawyers are skilled at showing how your truck accident happened.
Common causes of driver negligence include:
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for traffic conditions
- Driving too fast for weather conditions
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving while distracted including texting while driving
- Looking at a GPS system for directions
- Failing to respect the rights of other vehicles on the road
- Not backing out properly
- Driver negligence
Common causes of truck company negligence include:
- Vicarious liability – employers are generally liable for the negligence of their employees
- Negligent hiring of truck drivers
- Not training the drivers
- Failing to properly load the truck
- Overloading the truck
- Not having the latest safe driving technology
- Improperly loaded or oversized vehicles
- Other acts of negligence such as pressuring the driver to meet unreasonable time demands
Other defendants may be liable for:
- Defective truck parts
- Improper road design
- Failure to repair or maintain the truck
What laws govern commercial truck operation in Oklahoma?
Our Edmond truck accident lawyers understand the federal and state laws that govern the operation of commercial trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the hours of service of truck drivers to help ensure they’re not tired when they drive. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates how cargo should be loaded.
There are other rules that regulate truck inspections, the size and weight of trucks, the number of axles, commercial driver’s license requirements, transporting hazardous materials, and other safety requirements.
We understand when and how truck drivers and truck companies must comply, and how violations can help support your Edmond truck accident claim.
What types of injuries do Edmond truck accidents cause?
Truck accidents usually cause more serious accidents than car accidents. At Cunningham & Mears, we work with your physicians and our own network of doctors to verify your injuries, the type of care you need, and how the injuries have changed your life.
We handle all types of injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries including paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
- Broken bones/fractures
- Muscle, ligament, nerve, and tissue damage
- Crush injuries including broken ribs, internal bleeding, and organ damage
- Back, neck, and shoulder pain
- Other severe injuries
Our Edmond truck accident lawyers represent families when a loved one tragically dies in an Edmond truck accident.
How do you prove liability in truck accidents?
Our Edmond truck accident lawyers file claims against everyone who caused the truck accident. Possible defendants include:
- The driver of the truck
- The truck driver’s employer
- The trucking company that requested the shipment
- The company that arranged the shipment
- Maintenance and repair companies
- Other responsible defendants
If a defective truck part caused the truck accident, we file claims against the manufacturers.
We work with investigators and the police to help prove fault when truck accidents happen. We may work with product safety experts and traffic reconstruction experts if necessary. Our team conducts discovery of all the defendants and witnesses. Discovery is a formal oral and written process. We review physical evidence such as black boxes, videos, and smartphones. We also review the contracts between the various trucking companies and other documents.
When the investigation and discovery phases are complete, we negotiate with the insurance carriers. Many truck accidents do settle. When insurance companies fail to make acceptable offers, we are always ready to try your case before a judge and jury.
What is the value of my Edmond truck accident claim?
At Cunningham & Mears, we work to maximize your claim by paying attention to all the small details. We are skilled at determining the cost of future medical care, the possible medical complications, and every way your injuries are impacting your life.
We demand compensation for all your current and future:
- Medical expenses
- Income losses
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of bodily function
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
In cases of egregious wrongs, we file punitive damage claims.
If a loved one died in an Edmond truck accident, our lawyers file wrongful death actions on behalf of the family members.
Do you have an Edmond truck accident lawyer near me?
Cunningham & Mears has two offices located in Oklahoma City. Our first is located at 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102, Oklahoma City, near Penn Square Mall with plenty of car parking near the office.
Our second office is located at 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City, just a short distance from Resurrection Cemetery and off the Northwest Expressway.
We meet ill and immobile clients away from our office. We also conduct video conferences by appointment.
Our Edmond car accident lawyers fight to obtain all the economic and personal damages you deserve.
Get help from a skilled Edmond truck accident attorney
Our Edmond truck accident lawyers understand the unique challenges involved in truck accident claims. There are often at least two defendants, the driver and a trucking company. The injuries are usually more severe than other accidents due to the size and weight of most trucks. There are special rules that govern the operation of trucks. To learn more about how our truck accident lawyers fight for injury victims and families of deceased victims, please fill out our contact form or call us today for a free initial consultation. We handle truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis.
