Tulsa Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Tulsa Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

Every day, most of us get in our cars and drive to work, school, and everywhere else we need to go without a thought about the potential dangers. However, road travel is inherently dangerous, and commercial vehicles are not immune. If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle in the Tulsa area, you need a confident attorney on your side. Contact an experienced Tulsa commercial vehicle accident lawyer to help you pursue compensation.

When you are dealing with an injury, the process of securing financial compensation for your losses should not add to your stress. We at Fulmer Sill pride ourselves on empowering injured people to pursue the settlements they deserve. We advocate for our clients during every step of the legal process, from the first insurance claim to the courtroom. We serve clients all around the country, but our office in Oklahoma City makes us accessible Tulsa personal injury lawyers.

What Causes Commercial Vehicle Accidents?

No matter how careful we are, car accidents are an unfortunate fact of modern life, and they are not isolated to privately owned passenger vehicles. Because commercial vehicles are a significant presence on our roadways, they are often involved in collisions, as well.

Commercial vehicles include semi-trucks, box trucks, large cargo vans, and any other vehicles used in business pursuits. While there is no readily available comprehensive data regarding the overall impact of commercial vehicles of every category, there is established data showing the prevalence of truck accidents. In 2023, the United States recorded 4,354 deaths resulting from accidents involving commercial trucks, an increase of more than 50% in less than ten years.

What Compensation Can You Receive if You Are Injured in Tulsa?

If you sustained injuries in a commercial vehicle accident, and you were not at fault, you are very likely entitled to financial damages for your injury. The first thing to do in pursuit of compensation is to file a claim with the liable driver’s insurance company.

For most commercial vehicles, drivers are covered under company insurance policies, which should include coverage for injuries. However, any settlement that an insurance company would pay out is unlikely to fully offset your damages. Furthermore, insurance companies have a tendency to deny claims they should cover or underpay claims they accept.

If your claim is denied or underpaid, the next logical step to pursue compensation is to file a personal injury claim against the insurance company or, in some cases, against the driver personally. The aim of a personal injury settlement is to offset the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident and effectively restore your life to the way it was before the injury. Each personal injury case is unique, but the basic compensation categories are described below.

Medical Bills

Whether medical care is routine or emergency, the costs are often astronomical and can be insurmountable for some people. Injuries resulting from commercial vehicle accidents often translate to significant financial setbacks for the victims. From initial costs like ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and surgery to ongoing medical expenses, such as physical therapy or long-term medication, the weight of medical bills can become very heavy quite quickly.

When considering financial compensation for a personal injury, immediate medical expenses may be the first aspect to come to mind. However, a fair settlement should take care of all medical bills that result from the injury, not only the immediate ones. Every medical bill the victim receives, from the first emergency room visit to the last physical therapy session, should be included in the compensation.

Lost Wages

Many people in today’s economy cannot afford to miss a single paycheck. Hardworking families struggle to make ends meet. A significant personal injury and the associated weeks or months out of work may amount to a major financial setback for the victim and their family. Compensation packages for personal injury cases should cover lost wages and reduce this burden as the victim is recovering.

In cases involving catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries or loss of limb, the victim may permanently lose the ability to do the work they are accustomed to doing. Compensation in these scenarios often considers not only actualized lost wages, but also potential future lost wages based on the victim’s career trajectory and earning potential.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering may seem like an abstract concept, and it might seem strange to quantify these things, but this is a standard aspect of personal injury compensation. The effects of an injury may include significant physical pain, but they are not limited to that. Compensation for pain and suffering also considers the psychological suffering and potential trauma associated with an accident.

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Tulsa, OK

Car accidents are stressful events. Emotions can run high and can get in the way of clear thinking. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle in Tulsa, the first thing you should do is seek appropriate medical attention. If you are able, you should also call the police and report the accident if no one else has already done so.

It is also a priority, if you are physically able, to get the driver’s insurance information for the purpose of filing your claim. If there were witnesses to the accident, getting their names and contact information may be helpful. They may be able to speak with your attorney and provide statements to assist with building your case.

Hire a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Tulsa, OK

After dealing with the immediate aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident, the next crucial step is to hire a commercial vehicle accident lawyer. It may seem logical to wait until you have exhausted insurance compensation options and you need to file a personal injury claim to hire an attorney, but this could not be further from the truth. The sooner you can get a strong, confident attorney to support you, the better your chances of recovering the most compensation possible.

The other driver’s insurance company may deny or underpay your initial claim. When this happens, sometimes all it takes is a strongly worded letter from an attorney to encourage them to change course. So, asking your lawyer to communicate on your behalf from the very beginning can sway the outcome of an insurance claim in your favor. If you do need to file a personal injury claim, your attorney can begin the necessary preparations far ahead of time.

Your lawyer can also represent you in the case of a trial. Commercial vehicle accident cases in Tulsa are usually heard at the Tulsa County Court, 500 S Denver Ave., Tulsa, OK 74103. This outcome is unlikely, though, as the vast majority of personal injury cases reach a favorable settlement before a trial is even a point of discussion. If a plaintiff’s case holds water, the defendant is likely to prefer to settle out of court instead of going through the trial process, paying legal fees, and probably being ordered to pay the compensation anyway.

FAQs About Tulsa, OK Commercial Vehicle Accident Laws

How Much Does a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Cost in Tulsa?

The cost of a commercial vehicle accident lawyer in Tulsa is highly variable and depends on differences in case complexity and individual attorneys’ rates and fee structures. However, most attorneys who take personal injury cases do so on a contingency basis, so they do not take a fee for their services. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of whatever settlement they secure for the client.

How Are Pain and Suffering Calculated?

Typically, pain and suffering are calculated using the per diem method, the multiplier method, or a combination thereof. Using the per diem method, the calculation for pain and suffering is based on the victim’s typical daily earnings. Using the multiplier method, the victim’s total financial losses are multiplied by a number chosen based on the overall impact of the injury on the victim’s life.

How Long Does It Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case?

Because all personal injury cases are unique, there is no easy answer for how long it takes to resolve a case and receive payment. Compensation packages include both initial and ongoing medical bills. Therefore, personal injury cases cannot be fully settled until the medical bills have stopped accumulating or the victim has reached a point of maximum recovery that requires ongoing care. In some cases, it takes years to get to this point.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Oklahoma?

Yes, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those associated with commercial vehicle accidents, is established in Title 12, Section 95 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The time limit to file a legal action is two years, after which the incident is no longer legally actionable. Because time is of the essence, it is imperative to secure legal counsel quickly and take action.

Contact A Tulsa Commercial Vehicle Accident at Fulmer Sill Today

If you have been injured as a result of a commercial accident, you may be overwhelmed by the financial hardship associated with medical bills and missed wages, not to mention psychological trauma. Legal processes are complicated, but you do not have to navigate the system alone. We can walk with you every step of the way. Contact Fulmer Sill today and find out how we can empower you to pursue the compensation you deserve.