McGuire Law Firm / Commercial Vehicles

Oklahoma City Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle in Oklahoma City, OK? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. McGuire Law Firm is here for you 24/7, to provide support, advice, and representation.

If you’ve been injured, call our Oklahoma City commercial vehicle accident lawyers at McGuire Law Firm to help you fight to maximize your financial recovery. Contact our Oklahoma City law office today at (405) 513-5658 for a free consultation.

It is never too soon to contact a lawyer and begin protecting your legal rights.

Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Oklahoma City?

Commercial vehicle accidents can involve the liability of multiple parties, including parties that are far away from an accident the day a crash occurs. For example, the manufacturer of an engine component that caused a crash may be held liable in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

Commercial vehicle accident cases are vigorously defended because large amounts of money are at stake.

Experienced and aggressive legal representation is necessary to recover fair compensation and hold negligent parties accountable.

Trucks and buses that meet the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) definition of a commercial vehicle must have higher insurance coverage, generally at least $750,000. They also must comply with numerous strict regulations, including:

Annual inspections
Commercial driver’s license standards
Emission standards
Maintenance requirements
Passenger regulations
Registration and insurance
Routing regulations
Special training requirements.

If a trucking company violated federal regulations, the violation may establish liability for your injuries in an accident. Violations may also show a pattern of negligent conduct, such as failing to maintain logs or perform required inspections.

While higher amounts of insurance are required for commercial vehicles, recovering fair compensation is not automatic. Trucking companies are generally only interested in a quick settlement if it is for far less than they know it’s worth.

A knowledgeable car accident attorney in OKC who understands commercial vehicle litigation will be able to help you recover the money you are entitled to. Before you accept any compensation offer for an accident, call McGuire Law Firm to discuss your rights and options.

We Handle All Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Oklahoma City

There are different definitions for commercial vehicles depending on who you ask. According to the Department of Transportation, a commercial motor vehicle is one that has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more; is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) or transports hazardous materials in quantities that require the vehicle to be specially placarded.

A commercial vehicle may also refer to a car, truck, van, or bus used for business purposes. Although many people think that commercial vehicles are big rigs and semi-trucks, there are many other types of commercial vehicles on the road, including:

Airport shuttle buses
Amazon delivery vans
Ambulances
Box trucks
Cement trucks
Charter buses
Fire trucks
Flatbed trucks
Garbage trucks
Gas tankers
Moving trucks
Public transit buses
Refrigerator trucks
School buses
Shuttle buses
Tow trucks
Utility trucks.

The larger a vehicle is, the higher the damage in a collision, and usually, the greater the likelihood of physical harm.

If you’re injured in any commercial vehicle accident, go to the emergency room. Taking a “wait and see how I feel” approach to getting medical care is a big mistake.

One of the benefits of contacting a commercial vehicle accident lawyer immediately following an accident is your attorney can help you take specific actions to maximize the value of your claim.

Commercial Vehicle Accidents Can Cause Catastrophic and Fatal Injuries

Occupants of passenger vehicles are extremely vulnerable to serious injury or death in any car accident involving a large commercial vehicle, which can weigh 30 times as much as the passenger vehicle.

Some of the serious injuries we see arising from commercial vehicle accidents include:

Some catastrophic injuries may require around the clock care for the rest of the victim’s life. When we represent someone in a personal injury lawsuit, whether it is a large truck accident or a commercial vehicle accident, we will work with medical experts to understand the full scope of someone’s injuries and how they will affect them today, tomorrow, and for the rest of their life.

In addition to physical injuries, commercial vehicle accidents in Oklahoma can cause serious emotional injuries, such as

PTSD
Depression, and
Anxiety.

Emotional trauma from an accident can have a widespread effect on a person’s life and livelihood, and disrupt a victim’s life, school, and work relationships. Along with economic damages for medical expenses, you may receive a non-economic award for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

If you have questions about the types of damages you may be entitled to for your physical or emotional injuries in an Oklahoma commercial vehicle accident, call McGuire Law Firm today.

Leading Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Oklahoma City, OK

Many Oklahoma City trucking accidents have more than one factor. For example, a speeding driver may also be distracted. Or a driver may be fatigued but also under pressure by their employer to complete a run. Some of the factors that the FMCSA has listed as contributing factors for crashes include:

Driver prescription drug use
Driver over-the-counter drug use
Driver illegal drug use
Driver alcohol use
Driver illness
Driver fatigue
Driver under work-related pressure
Driver illegal maneuver
Driver distraction
Driver external distraction
Driver inadequate evasive action
Speeding
Traveling too fast for conditions
Unfamiliarity with roadway
Unsecured cargo
Aggressive driving behavior
Vehicle brake failure
Traffic flow interruption
Weather-related factors
Improper lane change
Illegal left-turn

Human factors are factors in the majority of accidents. Although truck drivers of commercial vehicles must participate in substantial training and pass several exams in order to receive a commercial driver’s license, accidents still happen at an alarming rate. Following an accident, it is important to evaluate whether the driver followed all local traffic laws, as well as complied with FMCSA regulations.

Liability for Injuries Resulting From a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Oklahoma City

Following an accident with a commercial vehicle, multiple parties may be liable for your accident. In Oklahoma, you may recover from any party that played a role in your accident - as long as you’re not primarily responsible for the wreck.

Determining liability can mean hours of sorting through logs, records, crash reports, video footage, and photographs. An exhaustive investigation can ensure all liable parties are held accountable.

Sometimes, even when liability seems obvious, there are multiple at-fault parties. Potentially liable parties may include:

Trucking company
Cargo loading company
Commercial vehicle manufacturers
Mechanics/maintenance shops
Government agencies

At McGuire Law Firm, we will pursue compensation against any liable parties. Corporations are willing to shell out big bucks to defend personal injury claims, because they know how much is at stake. If you have an experienced and knowledgeable Oklahoma City commercial vehicle accident lawyer on your side, you can hold negligent parties accountable and present a prepared and organized case in court.

Damages Available Following an Oklahoma City Commercial Vehicle Accident

The money that you recover in a lawsuit is called damages and will include already existing and future damages related to your medical bills and not being able to work. Damages available in a personal injury claim may include:

Medical expenses (hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgeries, etc).
Lost wages and income
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering.

When a commercial truck accident causes the loss of a loved one, a wrongful death lawsuit may be pursued. Oklahoma wrongful death damages may include:

Medical and burial expenses
Loss of consortium and brief
Rental pain and anguish
Pecuniary loss (will vary based on age and life and earning expectancy of the decedent)
Punitive damages.

In Oklahoma, wrongful death lawsuits are governed by Section 1053 of the Oklahoma Statutes for Civil Procedures (12 O.S. §1053). In most truck accident cases, damages are negotiated with the insurance company and a case is settled out of court.

However, preparing a case for trial sends an important message to the defendant and their counsel that you are serious about recovering the compensation you deserve. With the experienced Oklahoma City commercial vehicle accident attorneys at McGuire Law Firm in your corner, you can know that you’re putting your best foot forward.

We have a reputation in Oklahoma for quality legal representation, excellent client service, and results. Our Oklahoma City trucking accident lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Having worked for insurance companies and defense counsels, our lawyers have valuable insight and understanding of complex injury claims.

Time Limits Affecting Your Oklahoma City Commercial Vehicle Accident Claim

Oklahoma, like all states, has a statute of limitations that restricts how much time you have to pursue a lawsuit. A statute of limitations forces accident victims to take timely action. Once a statute of limitations expires, the court will reject any legal proceeding.

In Oklahoma, you generally have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim. We always recommend contacting a lawyer as soon as possible and not waiting. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time they will have to investigate your case and quicker evidence and witness recollections can be preserved and documented.

We Handle All Types of Auto Accident Claims

At McGuire Law Firm, our legal team can help you handle your claim after an accident in Oklahoma City, including:

Get a Free Consultation with an Oklahoma City Car Wreck Lawyer

Taking on a large corporation like a trucking company by yourself can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you don't have to. The Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers at McGuire Law Firm are here to help you stand up to the insurance company and fight for every penny you are entitled to. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a commercial vehicle accident in Oklahoma City, our skilled and knowledgeable trial lawyers are here to help. Contact us at (405) 513-5658 to schedule a free consultation.

In Need of a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney?