Trucking Accidents

Holding Reckless Truck Drivers Accountable

Reckless driving, distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving are the most common causes of collisions caused by commercial vehicles, 18-wheelers, and semi-trucks in Oklahoma. All of these accidents can result in serious permanent injuries or death.

Our knowledgeable, experienced trucking accident lawyers have successfully represented hundreds of individuals and their loved ones, throughout Oklahoma, who have been catastrophically injured or died as a result of trucking accidents.

At Maples, Nix, & Diesselhorst, we represent people injured in all types of trucking accidents, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and company vehicles, as well as the families of victims of fatal crashes.

Our Trucking Accidents Attorneys

L. Ray Maples II

Andy J. Campbell

Standing With You. Standing For Justice.

At Maples, Nix, & Diesselhorst, we understand that when a trucking accident occurs, there is a lot going on for the individual that has been injured and their family. Injury crashes, especially crashes involving large trucks, can impact the entire family of the victim.

Our lawyers will walk alongside you to help you pick up the pieces and rebuild your life. This is more than a job to us. It’s about holding wrongdoers accountable and obtaining justice, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries, knowing that your case is being handled by an experienced legal team.

Trucking Accidents

Accidents involving 18-wheelers or semi-trucks usually result in significant property damage and life-changing injuries or death for the people in the other vehicle. Semi-truck accidents are often caused because of driver fatigue, distraction, work zone hazards, or maintenance issues.

More About Truck Accident Causes

Accidents Involving Impaired Drivers

When people choose to get behind the wheel when under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, they endanger everyone on the road. This is especially true with semi-truck and commercial drivers. Impaired driving is irresponsible and totally preventable.

More About Impaired Trucking Accidents

Semi-Truck Mechanical Failures

Victims of accidents caused by mechanical failures and maintenance issues of a big rig truck often face complex insurance and liability issues. Faulty brakes, issues with lights, and tire failures are just a few of the many 18-wheeler truck problems that could cause an accident on Oklahoma roadways.

More About Truck Mechanical Failures

Truck Accidents Due to Driver Behavior

Dangerous truck driver behaviors are often the cause of serious or fatal car-truck accidents. Accidents like rear-end car crashes, rollover accidents or side-swipes can happen due to improper lane changes, driver inattention and speeding. Accidents can happen at stoplights, intersections, railroad crossings, on highways and in heavy traffic.

More About Dangerous Driver Behavior

Stand Against Distracted and Negligent Driving

Trucking accidents in Oklahoma and across the United States are one of the most common causes of severe injury or death. Many accidents are due to reckless, negligent, distracted, or drunk driving and can involve complex insurance claims. Our team of skilled and knowledgeable attorneys knows how to prepare and handle these complex cases to help you and your family if you or your loved one are severely injured in a trucking accident.

Call or email us today for your free consultation.

Trucking Accident Statistics in Oklahoma

In 2021, large trucks were involved in 5,575 accidents on Oklahoma roadways. Among those, there were 112 fatalities and more than 1,800 injuries. The number of large truck crashes resulting in fatalities and injuries grew from 2020 to 2021.

The “large truck” classification includes many different configurations of vehicle.

Vehicles considered “large trucks” include:

Most large commercial vehicles
Single unit trucks with two axels
Single unit trucks with three axels
Truck/trailers
Tractor/trailers,
Semi trucks or 18 wheelers
Livestock carriers
Auto carriers
Trucks larger than 10,000 lbs

While there are many names for the types of vehicles involved in these accidents, the Oklahoma car and truck accident data is clear: large vehicles on the road can be dangerous. Because of their size, likelihood of tipping or rolling, large blind spots, and other hazards, it’s important to proceed with caution when driving near semi-trucks or other oversized vehicles.

Share the Road Safely with Large Trucks

When you do hit the road in your car or SUV in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Tulsa, Weatherford or anywhere in between, it’s important to remember how you should drive near 18-wheelers and other large trucks. Follow the tips below, and if you are in an accident with a semi, stay calm, follow our team’s guidance for after a car accident, and then give our expert trucking accident lawyers a call.

Tips for Driving Safely Near Semis and Large Trucks

Remain visible: Trucks have larger blind spots than the average car, and if you can’t see the driver in their side mirror, they likely can’t see you.
Pass very cautiously: When you’re ready to pass a semi, leave extra space and make sure you can see them in your rearview mirror before merging back into the lane. Normally it is not recommended to pass on the right side of a truck.
Avoid tailgating: Following a large vehicle too closely will put you in a blind spot. Tailgating also doesn’t leave you much time to brake suddenly in the event of an emergency which could cause a rear-end collision.
Expect wide turns: Because of the way the tractor unit (or cab) connects to the trailer and wheels, large trucks usually have wide turn radius. They need more room to complete a turn and may swing wide. Avoid blocking them at an intersection, and never try to squeeze past to enter the intersection.
Be patient: Large trucks require more time to accelerate as they enter the highway and need more time to slow down if they are braking for construction or traffic. Try to avoid becoming aggressive, as this may lead to an accident.

Causes of Accidents with Semi Trucks

A truck accident has the potential to change your life in a matter of seconds. The size and momentum of a semi-truck on an Oklahoma highway can cause catastrophic injury or death with even the smallest mistake.

When you understand what commonly causes big truck accidents in Oklahoma City and beyond, you’ll probably drive a little safer near semis knowing what could occur. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study and other sources have identified the following as causes for large truck accidents: