Oklahoma City Truck Accident Attorney
Large trucks account for about three percent of the traffic on U.S. roads at any given time, according to the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Nearly 8.5 million large trucks are registered in the United States, and many of these are in regular use, hauling cargo of all kinds. Large trucks include any truck with a gross weight over 10,000 pounds, from box trucks to semi tractor-trailers that may weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Being involved in a crash with a large truck is not only frightening, but can also change a person's life forever. The injuries that result can cause years, if not a lifetime, of medical care and treatment on top of lost wages from not being able to work. When a person is in such a bind at no fault of their own, obtaining compensation from negligent parties can make all the difference in their road to recovery.
The Wide Reach of Trucking Crashes
About 4,400 fatal large truck crashes occur on U.S. roads each year. Another 78,000 collisions nationwide cause injuries each year, some of them serious. The rate of fatal accidents has been decreasing steadily over the past thirty years, from approximately 4.5 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled to approximately 2.0 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Despite these gains, however, the FMCSA notes that many steps can still be taken to improve roadway safety when it comes to large trucks.
In Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) estimates that, although large trucks make up only 3 percent of road traffic, they account for about 6.5 percent of all reported crashes on Oklahoma roads and about 5 percent of all motor vehicle accident deaths and injuries. In 2010, 1,873 Oklahomans suffered death or injury as a result of a large truck accident.
Seventy-two percent of large truck wrecks in Oklahoma involved two or more vehicles. When a heavy, large truck collides with a passenger car, the brunt of the accident is usually borne by those in the smaller vehicle. Of these, 67 of the deaths were drivers or passengers in vehicles that were not the large truck; 17 large truck drivers or passengers lost their lives.
Another 239 occupants of passenger vehicle occupants suffered incapacitating injuries, compared to 164 occupants of large trucks. Non-incapacitating injuries afflicted another 715 of passenger car occupants, but only 478 truck drivers.
Helping You Prove Liability
A wide range of causes may set off a large truck accident. Some of these, including fatigue, distraction, hunger, and drug or alcohol use, are within the truck driver's control. Others are not directly within the driver's control but may be the responsibility of the trucking company or the team responsible for the truck's maintenance. Missing or broken safety equipment, neglected maintenance, or botched repairs can also cause a crash - one the driver may be unable to prevent. In addition, dangerous road conditions or the acts of a third party might trigger a serious truck accident.
Truck accidents can cause serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. After a crash, the work it takes to prove liability, deal with insurance companies, and seek the compensation you need can feel overwhelming when you're already struggling to recover from debilitating injuries. Attorney Ray Maples is dedicated to helping injured people with every step after an accident. Call Mr. Maples today at (405) 883-4487 for a free, confidential consultation.