Underride Truck Accidents in Oklahoma City
Underride truck accidents in Oklahoma City often result from inadequate safety equipment or maintenance failures. We investigate these devastating crashes to hold negligent parties accountable for victims' catastrophic injuries.
The elevated height of tractor-trailer beds creates a dangerous gap between the trailer and the road surface. This space is large enough for passenger cars, smaller SUVs, motorcycles, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users to slide underneath during a collision—often with devastating consequences.
When a vehicle passes under a trailer, the height difference prevents standard automotive safety features from engaging properly. Instead of impacting the trailer's rear bumper or structural components, the vehicle's roof, windshield, or frame strikes the bottom of the trailer directly. These collisions frequently result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Known as underride crashes, these accidents represent some of the most dangerous truck-related incidents on Oklahoma highways. If you or a loved one has been injured in an underride accident caused by a semi driver's negligence, legal representation can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. The Law Firm for Truck Safety has extensive experience handling underride truck accident cases in Oklahoma City.
When Are Truck Drivers Liable for Underride Wrecks?
Beyond obeying traffic laws and making sure they are sober and well-rested before getting behind the wheel, semi-truck drivers also have a legal duty of care to pay close attention to their surroundings at all times while driving. Any trucker who swerves into a car in the next lane, tailgates a car ahead of them, or slams on their brakes suddenly without good reason has breached their duty toward other drivers around them. If that misconduct is the main and direct cause of an underride crash in Oklahoma City, that trucker could be held civilly liable for damagesIn a civil lawsuit, money designed to compensate an injured person. This includes economic damages (measurable financial loss like medical expenses) and non-economic damages (categories like pain and suffering or loss of love.) caused by their negligence.
A trucking company can be held liable for its employees' negligent actions under vicarious liabilityLegal responsibility of one party for the actions of another, such as an employer for their employee. laws. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney from our firm can help pursue compensation from other negligent parties as well, including maintenance companies that failed to properly inspect or repair critical safety equipment, parts manufacturers whose defective underride guards or components contributed to the accident, or cargo loading companies whose improper loading affected the truck's stability. Our experienced legal team will thoroughly investigate your case to identify all potentially liable parties and help you hold them fully accountable.
Building a Strong Claim as Quickly as Possible
Of course, a civil claim with multiple defendants can be very challenging to construct in a timely manner, which can be a significant obstacle to recovering compensation after an Oklahoma City underride truck accident. The statute of limitationsThe time limit within which a lawsuit must be filed. codified in Oklahoma Statute Title 12, § 95(A)(3) gives most people injured through the negligence of another just two years to file suit after initially being harmed.
This deadline applies even if you have suffered permanent and debilitating injuries from your accident, and if you are looking to file suit over a family member’s wrongful deathA legal term referring to a claim against a person who can be held liable for a death. from an underride crash, your two-year filing period almost always starts on the date of that family member’s death. Fortunately, we can help you collect and effectively utilize evidence, such as witnessAny person who provides testimony in a trial. This includes, but is not limited to, eyewitnesses. testimony, police reports, medical records, crash scene photos and videos, and more, within this strictly enforced deadline.
Speak With an Oklahoma City Attorney About Suing Over an Underride Truck Accident
Sliding underneath the trailer of a semi-truck is typically a fatal accident, even at relatively low speeds, and higher-speed collisions almost invariably result in death or catastrophic injuries. These devastating crashes often leave families not only grieving the loss of a loved one but also facing overwhelming medical bills and financial hardship. Unfortunately, Oklahoma's civil laws present additional challenges for victims and their families, making it extremely difficult to navigate the legal system alone in the aftermath of an underride truck accident in Oklahoma City.
At the Law Firm for Truck Safety, we understand how all-encompassing the losses caused by a truck wreck can be. We know how to help families like yours get the financial restitution and personal support they need. Call our Oklahoma City legal team today to schedule your free, no-risk case evaluation and explore your legal options.
