Enid Truck Accident Lawyers Fight for Accident Victims

Oklahoma attorneys aggressively pursue fair compensation for injuries

Oklahoma roads is a major crossroads interstate trucking. The major north-south artery I-35 and east-west artery I-40 cross through our state, intersecting in Oklahoma City. With all that long-haul traffic, there is ongoing potential for serious accidents. Tractor-trailers and other large commercial vehicles pose significant danger due to their size, weight and limited maneuverability. The risk of accidents is increased when drivers are careless or when trucks are improperly loaded or poorly maintained. The attorneys at Long, Claypole & Blakley Law, PLC in Enid are skilled at investigating truck accidents and in holding at-fault parties responsible for paying just compensation to injured victims.

Experienced lawyers knowledgeable about truck accident causes

Collisions and other accidents involving large commercial trucks can happen for a multitude of reasons, and there is often more than one party at fault. Among the most common causes are:

• Driver fatigue —Long-haul truckers, under pressure from their employers or customers to make delivery deadlines, may push the limits of their endurance by not getting enough sleep and not taking sufficient rest breaks. They may also drive at excessive speeds and take other risks due to their fatigued state. When accidents result, not only the driver but also the trucking company may be liable for injuries caused.
• Unqualified drivers — Some trucking companies hire unlicensed, untrained or undertrained drivers, thus reducing operational costs. Employers may overlook a driver’s health issues, record of violations or lack of the type of commercial driver’s license (CDL) appropriate for the vehicle driven, such as a double or triple tractor-trailer, a tanker truck or a transport for hazardous materials. Untrained and inexperienced drivers may also be less likely to maintain or to load their trucks properly, increasing the risk of equipment failures, tire blowouts and even rollovers.
• Drunk or drug-impaired drivers — Some drivers may use drugs to keep awake behind the wheel, while others may be under the effects of alcohol. The legal limit for blood alcohol level for drivers of large commercial vehicle is 0.04, compared with 0.08 for most other drivers. Intoxication or drug impairment is cause for liability when an accident occurs.
• Overloaded or improperly loaded trucks — When trucks are too heavy or their cargo is not balanced or secured correctly, they may be prone to skids, jack-knifes, rollovers and other accidents. Cargo that comes loose and falls to the road can cause additional damage and injury.
• Maintenance failures and mechanical defects — Heavy trucks need longer braking distances and wider space for turning. Brake or steering failures due to a defect or to poor maintenance increase the risk of collisions and other accidents. Other common equipment problems relate to a truck’s signals and lights and to couplings between trailers and their cabs.

Whether one or more of these causes lead to a collision with a car or another type of accident, liability can fall upon not only the driver but also the trucking company that employed or contracted with the driver; the truck’s owner or lessor; the shipper or loader of the truck’s cargo and anyone involved in the maintenance of the truck or any of its components. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys is careful to pursue all responsible parties and to determine their comparative negligence.

Contact an experienced Oklahoma trucking accident lawyer for a free consultation

When taking on trucking companies, insurers and defense lawyers, it is vital to have experienced counsel on your side. At Long, Claypole & Blakley Law, PLC in Enid, we can fully investigate your accident and assess the potential avenues for recovering fair compensation. To schedule a free consultation, call 580-599-0191 or contact us online.