Oklahoma Wrongful Death Attorneys
Catastrophic truck accidents can lead to wrongful death lawsuits. Our Oklahoma lawyers specialize in fatal truck crash cases and can help you prepare and prove your claim.
If someone is taken from you by an unexpected and catastrophic truck accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. At The Law Firm for Truck Safety, our Oklahoma wrongful death lawyers understand the intricacies of preparing and proving fatal truck crash cases like yours.
The Compassionate Legal Representation Your Loved One’s Legacy Deserves
Truck wrecks caused by a commercial driver’s mistake or their employer’s negligence can change your life instantly. When getting in the car or walking down the street, we rely on other drivers to follow the law, use common sense, and focus on the safety of other drivers. When they don’t, these crashes leave us devastated and looking for answers.
If someone you love was taken from you in an unexpected and catastrophic truck accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit. At The Law Firm for Truck Safety, our Oklahoma wrongful death lawyers understand the intricacies of preparing and proving wrongful death trucking cases like yours.
Losing a loved one in a truck accident is a devastating experience. At The Law Firm for Truck Safety, we have extensive experience representing wrongful death cases resulting from eighteen-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes. Our experienced lawyers are equipped to handle the intricacies of preparing and proving your truck accident case, providing you with the answers and justice you deserve. Contact us today to discuss your case with our compassionate and skilled legal team.
Referrals & Co-Counsel
Involved in a Crash?
No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Referrals & Co-Counsel
No other law firm knows trucks quite like us. Our trucking law expertise and trial experience allow us to win multi-million-dollar results year after year.
Involved in a Crash?
Our team of truck accident attorneys works tirelessly to help your family find justice in the wake of a catastrophic truck crash.
Our Wrongful Death Case Results
Below are featured wrongful death settlements and verdicts our attorneys have recovered. We invite you to explore our full list of featured case results and connect with our team of truck crash attorneys to learn how we can help your family find justice after a fatal semi-truck accident.
I am a professional truck driver. When I was injured, [I was] immobilized by my injuries and the surgery that followed. Joe was so much more than I hoped, and the settlement I received was terrific. He is not just my lawyer, he is my friend.
Joe knows what he is doing, and he is determined. He takes care of the people he helps, and he doesn’t leave them until the work is done. Joe Ervin is...the only lawyer I would send my friends or family to see.
A pleasure to work with and the best at identifying coverage when others can’t!
My mother was killed and my son was badly injured in a head-on accident. Joe Ervin made sure that we knew what was happening at every stage of the process. [Joe] is a terrific lawyer and a good man. I would send my family or friends to him, no question.
Outstanding service and attention to detail. Would highly recommend them.
A Legal Team You Can Trust
Lawyers NBTA Board-Certified
in Truck Crash Law
in Truck Crash Law
Handled cases in 65 of Oklahoma's 77 counties
Settlements and Verdicts
$2 Million and over
$2 Million and over
Largest Trucking Settlementin the US in 2014
Experience, empathy, and expertise all matter when selecting the best truck crash attorney for you. When The Law Firm for Truck Safety’s wrongful death attorneys fight for you, you have personal injury lawyers in your corner who:
Keep their caseload small.
You only have one opportunity to file a wrongful death claim after a truck accident. Your case — your loved one’s memory — receives the resources, attention, and care needed to pursue justice to the full extent of the law.
Have more attorneys NBTA board-certified truck accident lawyers law than any other personal injury law firm in the nation.
This preeminent accreditation from the National Board of Trial Advocacy symbolizes our firm’s commitment to the pursuit of justice and knowledge within the field of truck accident law.
Leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.
For most families, seeking justice is about more than just money. We want to help your family find the answers they need to heal. As a team, we are selective with the cases we take on because it’s important that we give each of our clients the resources and time needed to uncover the full truth of what happened, why it happened, and how we can help prevent it from happening in the future.
Set you up for and help you maintain success.
As time goes on, you may find that the loss of your loved one will impact you in ways you may not have initially anticipated. We want to be there for you when this happens, which is why we strive to create relationships with clients that last a lifetime.
Have more attorneys with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) than any other firm in the nation.
Having first-hand insights into the rules, regulations, and standards of care to which truck drivers must adhere allows us to uncover critical case facts and work technical knowledge into our case strategies in ways other firms can’t.
Hold Trucking Companies Accountable.
Inside the courtroom, it is our firm’s mission to hold accountable these negligent drivers and motor carriers for the harm they have caused you and your family. Outside the courtroom, we work with safety and advocacy groups that are committed to rebuilding the trucking industry so that these dangerous drivers and trucking companies are removed from US roads for good.
Build a case strategy around your specific needs.
In addition to receiving maximum compensation for your case, you will likely want answers, accountability, and assurances that what happened to you or your loved one doesn’t happen to someone else.
Our firm’s objective is to help you heal. Essential to this goal is building a case strategy that puts your legal objectives first. We strive to understand your desired outcomes for your case and will lend our support and knowledge to help you achieve those objectives — even when those efforts take us beyond the courtroom.
Prepare every case to go to trial.
Our top priority is the pursuit of justice, helping you recover for all that has been taken from you. After all, your quality of life and ability to heal hinges greatly on your case results. Unlike most personal injury firms, we do not treat your wrongful death suit as a means to make a profit through a quick settlement. We work up every case so that we are prepared to go to trial; if you do not wish for a jury verdict, preparing those cases for trial allows us to negotiate settlement terms from a position of strength.
Whether it’s helping you financially plan for the future, championing your story, supporting your endeavors to become an advocate for truck safety reform, or something else, know that the support you receive from our team will be available long after your case comes to a close.
Never charge upfront for representation.
We work on a contingency basis, which means that we don’t collect legal fees unless we win your case.
Our Professional Wrongful Death Attorneys
Our team of truck crash attorneys is committed to helping you heal through litigation. We do this by helping you find answers, holding wrongdoers accountable, and fighting for the compensation you and your family deserve. Above all this, however, is our commitment to treating you with compassion and respect throughout your wrongful death case and beyond.
We invite you to share your family’s story with us. We would be honored to help you and your family find justice after a fatal truck crash.
Trusted Oklahoma City Wrongful Death Lawyers Ready to Help Victims of Truck Accidents
Lawyers NBTA Certified in Truck Crash Law
Lawyers with
Class A CDLs
Settlements and Verdicts
$1 Million and over
Largest Truck Crash Verdict
in Ohio History
When someone else’s reckless choices lead to the death of your loved one, it is natural to be angry and want to see responsible parties brought to justice.
We also understand that following a devastating loss, discussing money, finances, and your legal options may be uncomfortable. You may not be ready to file a lawsuit immediately after losing a loved one. However, it is imperative to consult with and find an experienced Oklahoma City wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
Many defense attorneys rely on truck crash victims partnering with personal injury lawyers who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of trucks and trucking law, so they do not have to pay you the compensation justice demands. In fatal truck crash cases, this can mean millions of dollars are left on the table.
We also understand that following a devastating loss, discussing money, finances, and your legal options may be uncomfortable. You may not be ready to file a lawsuit immediately after losing a loved one. However, it is imperative to consult with and find an experienced Oklahoma City wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
Many defense attorneys rely on truck crash victims partnering with personal injury lawyers who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of trucks and trucking law, so they do not have to pay you the compensation justice demands. In fatal truck crash cases, this can mean millions of dollars are left on the table.
Whether financial compensation is your primary goal or one of many, justice for your loved one means having the best wrongful death attorneys at your side fighting for your rights. When you retain The Law Firm for Truck Safety for your family’s wrongful death claim, you are retaining one of the most experienced and successful truck accident law firms in the nation.
Only days after graduation, Caitlin Preston was tragically killed by a semi-truck driver on SR-72.
Building Lasting Legacies for Fatal Truck Crash Victims
Only days after graduation, Caitlin Preston was tragically killed by a semi-truck driver on SR-72.
Only days after graduation, Caitlin Preston was tragically killed by a semi-truck driver on SR-72.
Discover how The Law Firm for Truck Safety is helping the Preston family honor Caitlin's memory through policy change, memorials, and, most importantly, fighting to fix SR-72 so similar tragedies cannot happen to other families.
Helping Oklahoma Truck Crash Victims Every Step of the Way
When you entrust the legacy of your loved one to our firm, you are putting their memory in the hands of a firm with the resources, compassion, and courage needed to stand up to defense attorneys and help you receive the compensation you and your family deserve.
When you work with our Oklahoma City truck crash law firm, be assured we will:
- Swiftly coordinate an investigation into the cause of your accident
- Handle all communication with trucking companies, insurance providers, and other third parties
- Work with industry experts to build your case and calculate damages
- Obtain expert testimony from medical professionals, truck accident analysts, and others
- Fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve
Truck crash cases are fundamentally different from car crashes, and not every law firm has the knowledge, experience, resources, or determination to fully pursue justice the way The Law Firm for Truck Safety can. The Oklahoma Constitution (Article 23 Section 7) prohibits any statutory limitation on the amount recoverable in a wrongful death action. That means that full justice is available to your family when you have the right legal team behind you.
Understanding the Causes of Fatal Oklahoma Truck Accidents
Eighteen-wheelers and other types of commercial motor vehicles carry a greater risk for potential harm. While big rigs are not involved in most of the wrecks on Oklahoma roads, their size, weight, and momentum mean that when they are involved in a crash, the outcome is devastating to families and Oklahoma’s communities. To avoid tragedy on the roads, truck drivers and their employers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). When these rules are not followed, the result can be fatal.
Common violations of the FMCSRs and leading causes of fatal truck crashes include:
For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.
Trucking is a 24/7 industry, but truck drivers cannot drive 24/7. In 2020, there were an estimated 633 deaths in the United States from fatigued-driving-related crashes. Falling asleep at the wheel is a major concern for multiple US agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.
According to NHTSA, In 2020, an estimated 3,142 people died in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers – and thousands more were injured. Any activity that takes your hands, mind, or eyes off of driving is a distraction. Cell phones are one of the most problematic distractions. Because heavy semi-trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, truck drivers are even more at risk of accidents caused by distraction
For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a leading cause of vehicle accidents. NHTSA saw a double-digit (14%) increase in the number of drunk/drugged driving deaths from 2019 to 2020.
For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.
Trucking companies must follow federal regulations for maintenance and inspections. Defects in tires, brakes, lights, and other components often cause or contribute to accidents.
For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.
Inadequately trained truck drivers are more likely to cause accidents than experienced truck drivers.
For the serious traveller, Traveller Magazine is a mine of information, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends in travel and tourism.
Unsecure and imbalanced cargo loads make semi-trucks harder to stop and maneuver, putting those around the tractor-trailer in danger of being hit by debris or components of the commercial motor vehicle itself.
Bringing Behind-the-Wheel Experience into the Courtroom
Not only does our law firm tout the most NBTA board-certified truck accident attorneys of any law firm in the nation, but we also have more attorneys licensed to drive commercial trucks — five in total.
The combination of having hands-on experience behind the wheel along with our legal knowledge enables our truck accident lawyers to take a deep dive into the facts of your case in ways other personal injury firms can’t.
Not only does our law firm tout the most NBTA board-certified truck accident attorneys of any law firm in the nation, but we also have more attorneys licensed to drive commercial trucks — five in total.
The combination of having hands-on experience behind the wheel along with our legal knowledge enables our truck accident lawyers to take a deep dive into the facts of your case in ways other personal injury firms can’t.
Common Types of Commercial Motor Vehicles that Cause Fatal Truck Crashes
Large trucks that cause deadly accidents aren’t limited to tractor-trailers. Our law firm prosecutes truck accident cases that involve other large motor vehicles, including:
- Box Trucks
- Dump Trucks
- Flatbed Trailers
- Logging Trucks
- Tow Trucks
- Garbage Trucks
- Vehicles Carrying Hazardous Materials
- Tanker Trucks
- Busses
- Government and Municipal Trucks
- Box Trucks
- Dump Trucks
- Flatbed Trailers
- Logging Trucks
- Tow Trucks
- Garbage Trucks
- Vehicles Carrying Hazardous Materials
- Tanker Trucks
- Busses
- Government and Municipal Trucks
Damages You May Recover in Fatal Oklahoma Truck Crash Injury Claims
Oklahoma’s Wrongful Death Statute identifies the people who are eligible to receive wrongful death proceeds and the types of damages that can be considered in your case. This can change based on the circumstances of the crash, the marital status of the victim, and the family members who survived them. It is important that your lawyers know the law and be able to work within that framework to maximize the result for your family. It is worth speaking to a wrongful death lawyer in Oklahoma to ensure that your family receives the compensation they need to move forward. The compensation you receive from a successful wrongful death case can get you back on your feet and ensure your family’s financial stability.
While money can never bring a loved one back, compensation can help with:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral and probate expenses
- Loss of income and support from your deceased family member
- Expenses that result from pain, suffering, trauma, grief, and emotional distress
- Property damage as a result of the accident
To ensure that your family receives the maximum compensation for its wrongful death case, it's essential that your truck accident lawyers understand the eligibility criteria for wrongful death proceeds and the damages that apply to your case. Consulting a wrongful death lawyer in Oklahoma is worthwhile, as they can work within the legal framework to secure the necessary compensation for your family to move forward. This compensation can help your family regain financial stability and get back on its feet.
100% of Trucking Fatalities are Preventable.
We believe that all fatal truck accidents and the wrongful death cases that arise from them are preventable. While we fight for you inside the courtroom, outside of the courtroom, we fight for safer roads, safer hiring practices, and safer commercial motor vehicles so that the negligent business operations and driver behaviors that lead to fatal truck accidents cannot happen on US roads.
Oklahoma Fatal Truck Crash Statistics
of fatal Oklahoma crashes involve a large truck
Large truck crashes with fatalities or serious injuries
result in injury or fatality
Oklahoma truck crashes result in injury or fatality
People on average killed in fatal Oklahoma truck crashes.
2020 Crash Data - Large Trucks | Oklahoma Highway Safety
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) reported 762 traffic fatalities in 2021. Many of these tragic deaths were avoidable. Furthermore, in 2021, more than 5,500 large truck crashes occurred throughout the state — 1300 of these in Oklahoma County alone. In addition to the fatal crashes that occur along the major highways of I-40, I-35, and I-44, fatal truck crashes also occur on Oklahoma’s state roads. Below is an interactive data map detailing Oklahoma’s fatal truck crashes by year. We invite you to explore this data and learn more about the crashes contained therein.
Note the trends around Oklahoma’s population centers including:
Frequently Asked Questions about Wrongful Death and Fatal Commercial Truck Accidents
Wrongful death is a legal term that refers to the death of a person as a direct result of the misconduct or negligence of another party. When you consider the victim of a semi-truck crash, wrongful death could be caused by the tractor-trailer driver or another party that made the big rig inherently unsafe.
Wrongful death lawsuits are the legal conveyance through which the deceased’s family members can pursue economic justice against the parties that contributed to the crash.
Not everyone connected to the deceased may be entitled to seek compensation in a wrongful death case in Oklahoma. Statutes narrowly consider who may be harmed enough to seek financial compensation after a loved one was killed in a truck crash. Persons who may file a wrongful death suit include the loved one’s:
- Spouse or partner
- Children (biological and adopted)
- Parents (biological and adopted)
- Siblings
Furthermore, an Oklahoma wrongful death lawyer usually represents a personal representative of the deceased, either the executor of the individual’s will or a court-appointed representative of the departed. However, a wrongful death action can be filed by the next of kin in some instances. If a personal representative has been appointed, that person has the legal right to control the wrongful death lawsuit.
It is impossible to estimate the value of your truck accident claim without examining the facts surrounding it. Responsible wrongful death attorneys will perform a rigorous investigation before they can even give you a ballpark estimate. That being said, truck accident claims tend to be high value, and commercial truckers are almost always very well insured.
In addition to crash details impacting compensation amounts, other factors can also impact your case’s settlement or verdict amount.
These factors include:
- The settlement and verdict record of your truck accident attorney
- Previous verdicts and settlements of similar cases in the area
- The lost relationship’s value relative to the surviving family members
- Whether the case is heard by a jury
- State’s wrongful death case statutes — or rules — regarding how case value is defined
- If others were injured or killed in the semi-crash
Connecting with an experienced wrongful death attorney to review the details of your loved one’s crash is the best way to understand your fatal truck crash claim’s potential value.
Yes! The knowledge and experience your personal injury attorney has will directly impact your compensation amount. Truck crash cases are highly complex, and require a certain level of knowledge, experience, resources, and tenacity, to stand up to a trucking company’s defense attorneys and fight for your rights.
When looking for the best attorney to represent your family’s wrongful death case, it is important to inquire about:
- The truck accident attorney’s settlement and verdict record (for trucking cases, specifically).
- Their knowledge of the area’s previous verdicts and settlements of similar cases.
- The number of cases they have tried in front of a jury.
- The frequency with which they represent trucking cases.
- Trucking law certifications and accreditations.
- Their demonstrated proficiency with large trucks. Having a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be a great way to show this.
- Their demonstrated knowledge of truck crash law and case strategy. How often an attorney is invited to teach truck crash law and other trucking-related topics can speak volumes to their understanding of trucking and truck accident lawsuits.
A number of parties may be liable for a wrongful death claim when a large truck is involved. If and when it applies to the details of your crash, liable parties may include but are not limited to:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The insurance company that approved the unsafe driver
- Trucking brokers
- The shipper
- The manufacturer or distributor of a defective auto part
- Repair shops/mechanics
Oklahoma City, OK, wrongful death laws state that the deadline for filing a wrongful death lawsuit is two years from the date of your loved one’s fatal truck crash. If you file outside the statute of limitations, the court will likely dismiss your case, no matter how strong your argument is.
While two years set the limit, there should be a sense of urgency when approaching these cases. The need to preserve witness testimony and evidence means the time to act is right now.
The Oklahoma wrongful death statute sets the criteria for what is considered a wrongful death, the categories of damages a jury can consider, and who can bring the action. After compliance with these wrongful death provisions, the elements of proof, the jurisdiction of the Court, and the requirements for bringing the case to trial are often similar to other civil personal injury cases.
Wrongful death settlement and verdict payments vary — and can be paid out in a lump sum or structured schedule.
Structured settlements can be very beneficial for the family of a fatal truck crash, as they offer long-term, guaranteed income, tax-free. As part of the lifelong support and care our team will lend you, Oklahoma truck crash attorneys are will help you work through options of payment plans that best fit your family’s long-term needs.
For those who have lost loved ones to truck wrecks, a variety of groups composed and started by those who have experienced similar tragedies are available. Connecting with these advocacy and support groups can serve as a powerful healing tool.
At The Law Firm for Truck Safety, we work with various truck safety advocacy groups that fight for a safer trucking industry and provide post-crash resources and support to families and survivors of devastating truck crashes.
For more information on resources near you, please call (800) 628-4500 or email [email protected].
You Only Have Only One Opportunity to Pursue Legal Justice for Your Loved One
Let over 150 years of combined legal experience fight for your family’s wrongful death claim.
From Broken Bow to Boise City, Oklahoma City to Tulsa, our team of Oklahoma truck accident attorneys is standing by waiting to lend your family the strength and courage needed to help you through this difficult time.
We invite you to share the details of your family’s truck crash with us. Together, we can explore options to help you and your family secure compensation for its loss, and take one more negligent trucking company to justice.
You may complete our case consultation form or call us to speak directly with a truck crash attorney in your area.
CALL TODAY: (800) 628-4500
Our Oklahoma truck accident attorneys are here to support your family with the strength and courage needed during this difficult time. We cover areas from Broken Bow to Boise City, Oklahoma City to Tulsa, and are ready to help you explore compensation options for your loss.
Contact us via our case consultation form or by phone to speak directly with a truck crash attorney in your location. Let us assist you in holding negligent trucking companies accountable.
CALL TODAY: (800) 628-4500
