Edmond Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Edmond, OK

Edmond is a beautiful city in Oklahoma with a strong sense of community. Manufacturing is one of the most important industries in the area, and commercial trucking supports this and the other elements of the local economy in Edmond. While most drivers in the area encounter large trucks regularly without issue, it is possible for serious accidents to happen. An Edmond truck accident lawyer at Fulmer Sill can be a valuable resource after such an accident.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Truck Accident Victims in Edmond, OK

The attorneys at Fulmer Sill provide client-focused and results-driven legal counsel for all types of vehicle accident cases in Edmond and the surrounding areas of Oklahoma. Our firm is committed to empowering injured victims, building the strongest possible cases for them, and doing everything we can to maximize client recovery. If you believe you have grounds for legal action after a recent truck accident, we can help.

Truck Accidents in the United States and in Oklahoma

The National Safety Council reported that in 2022, there were 5,837 large trucks involved in fatal crashes, which was nearly a 2% increase from the previous year but a 49% increase over the past 10 years. That same year, more than 120,000 large trucks were involved in accidents that resulted in serious injuries.

The Oklahoma Office of Highway Safety recorded a total of 5,575 truck crashes in Oklahoma during 2021, the most recent year for which there is complete statewide accident data. Ninety-nine of these accidents were fatal, and 130 of these accidents caused serious injuries. The risk of severe or fatal injury is very high from a truck accident due to the size and weight of these vehicles.

No matter how your recent truck accident happened, you will need an experienced attorney’s help to navigate the legal aftermath of your case. Proving liability for a commercial truck accident can be more challenging than you might expect after a passenger vehicle accident. Additionally, these cases can raise difficult questions of liability and involve commercial auto insurance claims that can be challenging to navigate without an attorney’s help.

Commercial Trucking Dangers Along I-35

Interstate 35, or I-35, is a north-south running major interstate highway that is situated just to the east of Edmond, Oklahoma. This interstate supports a significant influx of both commuter and commercial vehicles every day, including a large number of trucks. The following are a few unique dangers associated with large trucks on Interstate 35 near Edmond. 

• Merging accidents: Large trucks have notoriously large blind spots. Generally, if you are in a passenger vehicle and you cannot see a nearby truck’s mirrors, the driver of that truck cannot see you. Highways are especially dangerous when passenger vehicles and large trucks need to merge on or off the highway at the same time. Despite taking reasonable care, it is easy for truck drivers to merge without seeing a car beside them.
• Slick morning or evening roads: Oklahoma, while not usually particularly cold, does frequently see temperatures drop below freezing during the winter, and the state does get some rain and snow during the colder months. Because it is more difficult to stop a large truck than it is to stop a smaller vehicle, slick roadways can be especially treacherous when trucks and cars are next to each other.
• High speeds: Distractions are difficult to avoid when driving in this day and age, and the combination of distractions and high interstate speeds makes roads like I-35 especially dangerous, especially when people are traveling to and from work.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of factors that make I-35 dangerous for truck drivers and the passenger car drivers around them. If you live in Edmond, it is important to exercise extra caution around large trucks on this interstate.

Building a Truck Accident Case in Edmond

Fulmer Sill can provide responsive legal counsel in the aftermath of your truck accident. Proving fault may be difficult, as these accidents commonly occur for the same reasons as other crashes, such as speeding or distracted driving, but they can also occur due to failure to follow trucking industry safety regulations. We can work to prove fault and identify all parties liable for your damages.

Filing an auto insurance claim against the liable driver’s insurance policy is usually your first option for recovering from a vehicle accident in Oklahoma. Most trucking companies have commercial policies that may appear to offer expansive coverage, but the reality is that most insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying out fair settlements. Fulmer Sill knows this and will negotiate for you.

If you must file a personal injury claim with the Oklahoma County District Court to recover from your accident, our team can help you prove liability for the damages you suffered and accurately calculate the economic and non-economic damages you can claim from the defendant.

We have helped many past clients in Edmond recover substantial case awards, and we can work tirelessly to advocate for you and increase your recovery. Reach out to our firm right away so we can start building your case.

Electronic Logging Devices and Event Data Recorders

Fatigue is a major contributing factor in commercial truck accidents, and electronic logging devices are designed to help prevent drivers from working to the point of exhaustion and, by extension, danger. Electronic logging devices are devices that are connected to the engines of commercial vehicles and log data such as driving time, length of breaks, and location information, among other information.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, the vehicle’s electronic logging device may provide information that could support your case. For example, if the device data showed that the driver who hit you had not taken a break in 24 hours, that would be pertinent information in your claim.

An event data recorder is a device that is meant to capture a driver’s actions in the moments before an accident. These devices are also known as “black boxes,” similar to the devices most famously found on airplanes. Information from an event data recorder may tell you whether the other driver engaged their brakes, how they turned the wheel, and other facts regarding the actual accident.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you are facing the effects of a truck accident in the Edmond area, you would be wise to hire a truck accident lawyer at your earliest convenience. Although it is legal for you to represent yourself, having help from a seasoned attorney is more likely to result in a satisfactory settlement to restore your family’s peace and financial stability.

FAQs About Edmond, OK Truck Accident Laws

Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident in Edmond?

It is possible for several parties to be liable for a truck accident in Edmond. Fault may fall to a single party, such as the truck driver, but it is also possible for their employer to bear vicarious liability or for a third-party driver to have caused the accident. Your Edmond truck accident lawyer can help you determine liability for your accident and hold the appropriate party or parties accountable for the damages they caused.

How Do You Prove Liability for a Truck Accident in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, it is possible to prove liability for a truck accident using various forms of evidence. Your Edmond truck accident lawyer can obtain the police report from the accident, witness statements, vehicle computer data, and trucking company records to help you determine the exact cause of the accident. You must establish liability before you can claim compensation for your damages.

Is Oklahoma a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

No, Oklahoma is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means whoever is at fault for an accident is liable for the resulting damages, and proving fault will be a necessary first step in your case if you believe a specific driver caused your accident. All Oklahoma drivers must have auto insurance that includes liability coverage. If a covered driver causes an accident, their insurance policy can help pay for the resulting damages.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Truck Accident in Edmond?

No two truck accident cases are the same. The total compensation you can claim for a truck accident in Edmond can depend on the severity of your injuries. If you can prove liability, the at-fault driver is responsible for any economic and non-economic damages they inflicted. Your Edmond truck accident lawyer can help you prove the full extent of the damages you are eligible to claim and guide you through your legal proceedings.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Edmond Truck Accident Lawyer?

The cost to hire an Edmond truck accident lawyer may not be as much as you think when you choose Fulmer Sill to represent you. Rather than charging our clients upfront and ongoing attorneys’ fees, we charge a percentage of the total compensation we recover for our clients with a contingency fee policy. If we are unable to obtain compensation for our client for any reason, there is no fee.

Edmond, OK Truck Accident Laws Resources

• New “Rear Impact Guard” Standard to Protect Against Underride Accidents
• Average Truck Accident Settlement in Oklahoma

Contact A Edmond, OK Truck Accident Lawyer Today

The attorneys at Fulmer Sill strive to empower injured accident victims by helping them navigate their legal proceedings with confidence. When you choose our firm to represent you, you will have a team of dedicated legal advocates working diligently to help with your recovery. You have limited time to file your case, so it’s important that you contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an Edmond truck accident attorney to learn how we can help.