OKC Fatal Truck Accident Lawyers

Are You in Need of a Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer?

Losing a loved one in a truck accident is one of the most devastating experiences a family can face. When a fatal truck accident was caused by someone else's negligence, families deserve answers and the opportunity to pursue justice.

At Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC, our Oklahoma City fatal truck accident attorneys understand the emotional and financial toll these cases take on families. Our firm is committed to holding negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties accountable. Since 2002, we have represented victims and families throughout Oklahoma, providing aggressive legal representation during life's most difficult moments.

You may benefit from hiring an attorney if:

• The truck driver may have been negligent.
• The trucking company may share responsibility.
• Multiple vehicles were involved.
• The insurance company disputes liability.
• You are unsure who can file a wrongful death claim.
• Important evidence needs to be preserved.
• Your family has suffered significant financial losses.
• The trucking company's insurer has contacted you regarding settlement.

Why Choose Us Over Other Fatal Truck Accident Attorneys in Oklahoma City?

If your loved one died in a collision involving a commercial truck, speaking with an experienced Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer can help protect your family's legal rights while allowing you to focus on healing.

Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC prepares every case as though it may ultimately be presented to a jury. That commitment to thorough preparation often strengthens settlement negotiations and demonstrates to insurance companies that we are prepared to advocate aggressively for our clients.

Heare’s why so many people have come to trust our firm:

• Free consultations to discuss your legal options
• Serving accident victims in OKC since 2002 with dedicated representation
• Rated Superb by Avvo, a nationally recognized attorney rating organization, based on peer endorsements and professional achievement
• Awarded an "AV" Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, recognizing the highest standards of legal ability and ethics.
• Member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for attorneys who have obtained multi-million-dollar recoveries.

Get Answers After a Fatal Truck Crash

Call (405) 705-5050 for a free consultation today.

How a Lawyer Can Help

An experienced OKC wrongful death truck accident attorney can evaluate your family's losses and pursue the full compensation available under Oklahoma law. Your attorney can help by:

• Conducting a Thorough Investigation. Determining what caused a fatal truck accident often requires much more than reviewing the police report. Your attorney may obtain black box data, electronic logging records, maintenance files, driver qualification records, surveillance footage, inspection reports, and witness statements to build a complete understanding of the collision.
• Preserving Critical Evidence. Commercial trucking companies are only required to retain certain records for limited periods of time. An attorney can immediately send preservation notices requiring important evidence to be maintained.
• Identifying Every Responsible Party. Wrongful death truck accident claims frequently involve more than one liable party. Your attorney investigates whether responsibility extends beyond the driver to include trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, vehicle manufacturers, or others whose negligence contributed to the crash.
• Working With Experts. Complex truck accident cases often require accident reconstruction specialists, engineers, medical experts, economists, and vocational experts. These professionals help explain how the collision occurred and the financial impact the loss has had on surviving family members.
• Negotiating With Insurance Companies. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize wrongful death claims by disputing liability or undervaluing damages. Your attorney handles all communications and negotiates aggressively for fair compensation.
• Taking the Case to Trial. If settlement negotiations do not result in a fair resolution, your attorney can present your family's case before a judge or jury and pursue justice through litigation.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim

A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that allows certain surviving family members or the deceased person's estate to seek compensation when someone's wrongful act or negligence causes a death. Under Oklahoma law, these claims are generally brought by the personal representative of the deceased person's estate for the benefit of eligible surviving family members.

Recoverable damages may include funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses incurred before death, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, and other damages permitted under Oklahoma law.

Who Is Liable for Truck Accident Fatalities?

Determining liability after a fatal truck accident is often one of the most complex aspects of a wrongful death claim. Unlike many passenger vehicle collisions, commercial truck accidents frequently involve multiple individuals and companies that may have contributed to the crash, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and drivers in other vehicles.

How Truck Driver Negligence Causes Fatalities

Truck driver negligence occurs when a truck driver fails to operate their vehicle with reasonable care, causing a crash that results in injuries or other damages. Because commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, even a single act of negligence can have devastating consequences.

DUI

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly impairs reaction time, judgment, coordination, and decision-making. Commercial drivers are held to stricter legal standards because of the enormous danger posed by large commercial vehicles. An impaired truck driver may fail to recognize hazards, react too slowly to changing traffic conditions, or lose control of the vehicle, leading to catastrophic and often fatal crashes.

Running Stop Signs and Red Lights

Intersections are among the most dangerous locations for fatal truck accidents. A truck driver who ignores a stop sign or red light may strike another vehicle at full speed, causing devastating side-impact or head-on collisions. These crashes often leave occupants of passenger vehicles with little chance to avoid serious injury.

Unsafe Turns

Large commercial trucks require substantially more room to turn than passenger vehicles. Drivers who fail to check blind spots, yield the right-of-way, or properly judge the space needed for a turn can collide with nearby vehicles, motorcycles, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Wide-turn accidents are especially dangerous in busy Oklahoma City intersections.

Illegal Lane Changes

Commercial trucks have extensive blind spots that require drivers to carefully monitor surrounding traffic before changing lanes. Failing to signal, check mirrors, or observe nearby vehicles can result in devastating sideswipe accidents or force smaller vehicles off the roadway.

Disobeying Traffic Laws

Truck drivers are expected to obey all traffic laws and commercial safety regulations. Speeding, following too closely, violating hours-of-service rules, failing to yield, and ignoring construction zone restrictions can all increase the risk of fatal collisions. When drivers choose to disregard these safety requirements, they may be held accountable for the tragic consequences that follow.

How Trucking Company Negligence Causes Fatalities

Trucking companies have significant responsibilities beyond simply employing drivers. They must establish safe operating procedures, comply with federal regulations, maintain vehicles, supervise employees, and prioritize public safety.

• Encouraged drivers to violate hours-of-service rules
• Failed to properly supervise employees
• Ignored known safety violations
• Failed to inspect or maintain vehicles
• Required unrealistic delivery schedules
• Allowed unsafe equipment to remain in service

Negligent Hiring and Retention

Commercial trucking companies are expected to carefully screen drivers before allowing them to operate large commercial vehicles. They should also continue monitoring driver performance throughout employment.

Negligent hiring or retention may occur when a company hires or keeps a driver despite evidence that the individual presents an unreasonable safety risk.

Examples include:

• Hiring drivers with multiple DUI convictions
• Employing drivers with suspended commercial driver's licenses
• Ignoring repeated moving violations
• Failing to investigate previous crashes
• Retaining drivers who repeatedly violate safety regulations
• Allowing unqualified or inexperienced drivers to operate commercial vehicles

Inadequate Maintenance

Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles each month and require routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs to remain safe. Mechanical failures can dramatically increase the likelihood of a catastrophic collision.

Poor maintenance can leave commercial trucks with dangerous mechanical issues that increase the likelihood of a crash. Examples include brake failures, tire blowouts, steering defects, suspension problems, lighting failures, worn safety equipment, and defective coupling devices.

Lack of Oversight

Federal regulations require trucking companies to actively supervise drivers and monitor compliance with numerous safety requirements. Unfortunately, some companies prioritize profits over public safety.

Examples of inadequate oversight include:

• Failing to review driver logs
• Ignoring hours-of-service violations
• Failing to investigate preventable crashes
• Overlooking complaints about drivers
• Ignoring federal compliance requirements

Drivers of Other Vehicles Can Also Be Liable

When another driver's actions contribute to a fatal collision, they may also share legal responsibility. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning liability may be divided among multiple parties based on their degree of fault.

Driver negligence can take many forms, all of which increase the risk of serious accidents. Unsafe lane changes, distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, failure to yield, running traffic signals, and aggressive driving can all lead to fatal truck collisions.

Let Us Fight for Your Family's Future

A wrongful death claim may help secure your family's financial future. Call (405) 705-5050 to learn how we can help.

Types of Damages Available

Every wrongful death case is unique. The amount of compensation available depends on numerous factors, including the age of the deceased, earning capacity, the relationship between surviving family members, available insurance coverage, and the facts surrounding the collision.

Oklahoma law may allow surviving family members or the personal representative of the estate to pursue damages for both economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages may include:

• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of future income and benefits
• Loss of household services
• Other financial losses resulting from the fatal accident

Non-economic damages may include:

• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium
• Mental pain and anguish experienced by surviving family members where permitted by law
• Loss of guidance, care, and support
• Emotional suffering associated with the death

Case Results

$2,500,000 - Wrongful death & catastrophic injuries suffered by motorists hit by a semi-truck /18 wheeler

$1,500,000 - Wrongful death of motorist suffered in collision with company vehicle

$770,000 - Wrongful death of motorist that was hit by a semi-truck/18 wheeler

What Clients Are Saying About Us

We appreciate your unwavering commitment and support - Cheryl Lowry

We are very thankful for everyone at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC. They have been very kind and compassionate through what has been the most difficult time of our lives. They were always accessible and responsive when needed; and willing to talk or answer questions as they came up. They helped us to navigate and understand the entire process as well as our options.

We appreciate your unwavering commitment and support. As you know, our Dad was our hero and took pride in taking care of and protecting others. Thank you for protecting our mom and making her well-being a priority even after the case.

You are an excellent lawyer - Lillie & Family

I really appreciated all your hard work and your kindness shown to me and my children during all these trying times. Continue your good work and may God bless you always. Did not want to seem ungrateful. You are an excellent lawyer.

Speak With a Trusted OKC Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer

The Oklahoma City wrongful death attorneys at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC understand the profound impact these accidents have on families, and we are committed to helping our clients pursue justice.

Our attorneys have years of experience handling complex trucking accident and wrongful death cases, and we are prepared to stand up to trucking companies and insurance carriers on your behalf.

To find out how we can help, call (405) 705-5050 and schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fatal Truck Accidents

Who can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal truck accident?

In Oklahoma, the personal representative of the deceased person's estate typically files a wrongful death claim on behalf of eligible surviving family members. An attorney can explain how this process applies to your family's situation.

What compensation may be available in a fatal truck accident case?

Eligible families may seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical bills related to the fatal injury, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages permitted under Oklahoma law.

How is fault determined after a fatal truck accident?

Attorneys and investigators examine evidence such as crash reports, electronic logging device data, maintenance records, witness statements, photographs, and expert analysis to determine what caused the collision.

What if the truck driver was working at the time of the crash?

If the driver was acting within the scope of their employment, the trucking company may also be responsible for the driver's negligent actions, depending on the facts of the case.

Will my case have to go to trial?

Many fatal truck accident claims are resolved through negotiated settlements, but some cases require litigation if the parties cannot reach a fair agreement. An attorney can advise whether settlement or trial is appropriate based on the facts of your case.

Meet Our OKC Fatal Truck Accident Lawyers

Ray Maples

Ray Maples is an Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer and founding partner of Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC. He is known for his compassionate approach, strategic litigation skills, and commitment to holding powerful defendants accountable. Under his leadership, the firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for clients. Ray believes every client deserves a dedicated advocate who will fight tirelessly for justice and the financial recovery needed to rebuild their lives after a devastating loss or injury.

Christian Zeaman

Christian Zeaman is a founding partner of Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC. He focuses on personal injury litigation involving trucking accidents, wrongful death, car accidents, and other serious negligence claims. Christian combines extensive courtroom experience with a client-centered approach, providing personalized representation tailored to each case. He believes the civil justice system plays a vital role in holding negligent individuals and businesses accountable while helping injured people and grieving families move forward.

Rilee Harrison

Rilee Harrison is a founding partner of Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC and a trial lawyer dedicated to representing individuals and families seriously injured by negligence. He believes every case should be prepared as if it will go to trial, an approach that helps maximize results both in settlement negotiations and in the courtroom. Known for his strategic mindset, responsiveness, and commitment to client service, Rilee is passionate about helping injured Oklahomans hold negligent parties accountable and obtain the compensation they deserve.

Joseph Albert

Joseph Albert is an attorney at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC who represents individuals and families in catastrophic injury, trucking accident, wrongful death, nursing home neglect and abuse, and defective product cases. Raised in Elk City, Oklahoma, Joseph developed a strong work ethic and deep appreciation for helping others. He approaches every case with meticulous preparation, thoughtful strategy, and open communication, always keeping his clients informed throughout the legal process. Joseph is committed to helping Oklahomans pursue justice, accountability, and the compensation they need to move forward with confidence.