Oklahoma Truck Accident Injury Law Library, Self & Associates

In 2009, the US saw a marked decrease in large truck and bus-related fatalities. Proponents of revised Hours of Service (HoS) regulations (which govern the number of hours truckers can be on the road in a given day and week), heralded the decrease as evidence that the new rules (which had been constantly fought by the Bush administration) protected not only passenger car occupants, but truck drivers as well (26% fewer truckers died in 2009 than in 2008). However, in 2010, the number of people killed in truck accidents rose by nine percent, to a total of 3484 people killed by large truck accidents.

However, when seen as part of a larger trend, it shows a continued decline in the number of truck-related fatalities. Overall, the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes declined by 25% from 2007 to 2010. Large trucks involved in injury accidents decreased by 23% from 76,000 to 58,000.

Ten-year trends are even more striking, in some ways. The number of large trucks involved in injury accidents dropped by 42%, and the number of large trucks involved in fatal crashes decreased by 30%.

Although these trends may cast doubt on the impact of specific changes to HoS rules, one thing is clear: the regulation of the trucking industry continues to reduce the risk of death or injury on the highway due to truck accidents.

Truck accident lawsuits also help to reduce the number of deaths and injury accidents involving large trucks. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one, your lawsuit can get compensation for you and encourage trucking companies to follow safer practices.

To learn more about your legal rights and options, please contact Self & Associates today for a free case evaluation.

Overloaded schedules and driver fatigue have long been major contributing factors in truck accidents.

Although there are federal regulations intended to limit a truck driver’s hours behind the wheel and reduce the risk of tractor-trailer accidents caused by fatigue, many trucking companies and truck drivers attempt to skirt these laws in an attempt to increase profits. If you were injured or a family member was killed in a semi-truck accident caused by a negligent driver, Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer James Self may be able to help you pursue the financial compensation you need for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Exhaustion can impair a driver’s vision and reaction time in a similar manner to intoxication. When a fatigued driver is behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer, the results of a collision can be catastrophic.

Because of semi-trucks’ high centers of gravity, massive weight and sheer bulk, truck accidents cause a higher rate of severe injuries than motor vehicle accidents involving passenger vehicles. These injuries, in turn, can result in astronomical medical bills, time away from work, and the need for long-term care among other costs.

The team at Self & Associates has a proven record of success in truck accident cases, and we are proud to advocate on behalf of truck accident victims when the negligence of truck drivers and trucking companies harms innocent people.

If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a truck accident, please contact Self & Associates for your free case consultation. Oklahoma City truck accident attorney James Self and the team at Self & Associates welcome clients from throughout Oklahoma.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates trucking companies, establishing rules for how many consecutive hours a trucker can drive, how heavy a load can be, and other factors. The goal of these regulations is to decrease the number and severity of truck accidents.

How many hours is a truck driver permitted to be on the road at any one time?

The FMCSA allows truckers to drive for 11 consecutive hours with a minimum of 10 hours of downtime afterward. This requirement is designed to ensure that truckers get adequate rest to help avoid accidents caused by fatigue and sleep deprivation.

If a trucker takes time to rest, won’t he just speed to make up the time later, increasing the odds of an accident?

Trucking companies are not allowed to impose an unrealistic schedule on a driver. Trucking companies have a responsibility to ensure that a load is safely delivered in a timely fashion, but they must also take into account the distance and possible delays the driver will face. If a company places unrealistic demands on a truck driver and an accident occurs as a result, the company can be held responsible for damages.

Who is responsible for a truck accident?

Because so many different companies and contractors can be involved in a truck delivery, the responsible parties in truck accidents can vary. In many instances, a trucking company that has imposed an unrealistic schedule on a trucker is to blame. Truckers themselves can be at fault because of distracted or reckless driving. If the truck was overloaded, or if the freight was not properly secured, the company that loaded the truck might also be liable for damages.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in the state of Oklahoma, please contact experienced truck accident attorney James Self at Self & Associates to schedule your free initial consultation. We can help you pursue the compensation you need to make a full recovery.

The incredible impact from any Oklahoma Truck Accident can cause severe, sometimes fatal injuries to the victims, including permanent injury to the spinal cord.

Because the spinal cord is so important to normal human activity and bodily functions, any back or neck injury should be considered very serious, and immediate medical attention should be the first priority after any vehicle accident, especially a truck accident.

An accident with a Big Rig or Semi Tractor Trailer Truck can deliver explosive impact forces to the occupants of smaller cars or SUVs. Anyone who has ever seen the tangled mess of metal that's left from a small car struck by a big truck should know exactly how dangerous and deadly this kind of accident can be.

Often a major truck company that has been involved in an injury accident is represented by a very experienced team of insurance defense lawyers. That's why if you've been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler truck, you need the Best Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer you can find.

James Self and Self & Associates have been representing Oklahoma Truck Accident victims for over 35 years, and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements for their clients, all across Oklahoma. If you've been involved in a truck accident, please call today for a free consultation.

When you're injured in a truck accident, you can be left feeling scared and confused about how to pay your medical bills and afford your time away from work. At Self & Associates, our personal injury attorneys are here to worry about the details for you while you focus on recovering.

Truck accident claims can get complicated because of all the potential parties involved. You may be able to recover compensation from any of the following:

• The driver of the truck who operated the vehicle negligently
• The owner of the truck
• The person who leased the truck from the owner
• The cargo owner or loader in cases where the truck was overloaded
• The manufacturer of the truck if there were defects with the truck

Naming all the right parties in your legal claim for compensation is important for recovery. Usually each party will try to point fingers and lay blame on the other parties to avoid paying for the accident.

A good personal injury attorney will lead the fight against each party who could be liable for injuries. At Self & Associates we have handled numerous truck collision cases for clients just like you. We can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, please contact Self & Associates for your free consultation with an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury attorney.

Big rig trucks are a common sight on the highways throughout Oklahoma. Being involved in a truck accident usually results in serious personal injuries or even the wrongful death of your loved ones. Truck drivers and trucking companies have a responsibility to make sure the big rigs are being driven safely and are well maintained. Unfortunately, many trucking companies do not take this responsiblility seriously, pushing their drivers and trucks to the point that causes truck accidents.

Trucking companies make more money if their drivers deliver cargo in as little time as possible and with trucks as full as possible. Money motivates trucking companies to create unrealistic driving schedules for their truck drivers and to overload the trucks.

The unrealistic schedules force the truck drivers stay on the road for long periods of time and may cause the drivers to become fatigued and possibly fall asleep while driving. A fatigued driver will not be able to respond to traffic situations as quickly as a well rested driver. There are many laws regulating how long truck drivers can drive before they need to take a break and rest. Trucking companies push these laws and often alter the log books to make it look like thier drivers were not driving longer they were supposed to.When a truck driver is tired, they are much more likely to cause a truck accident.

Overloaded trucks are another exceptionally dangerous practice used in the trucking industry. Big rig trucks are harder to control when overloaded, especially if the truck begins to tip or has to stop quickly. Trucks of this size naturally sway in the wind and can lean a little while making turns. Overloaded trucks can roll over causing a serious truck accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury or wrongful death in Tulsa, Oklahoma due to a truck accident, please contact the experienced truck accident lawyers at Self Law & Associates today to schedule your free case evaluation.

It is up to both the truck driver and the trucking company to make sure the vehicle is safe for the road. When there is a truck accident that is due to a maintenance problem, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible: the driver or the trucking company. Because a majority of truck accidents are caused by poorly maintained vehicles, it is important to understand who was supposed to take care of any maintenance issues in these situations.

Maintenance Responsibility of the Trucking Company

When a semi gets ready to head out on the highway, the trucking company the vehicle belongs to must carefully inspect it to make sure it has been properly maintained. If repairs are needed, the truck is not allowed on the road, even if the repair is minor. The trucking company is also required to document each fix.

The maintenance record might include what was fixed on the truck, what parts were purchased, who the mechanic was, as the date it was repaired. In addition to this, every truck owned by the company must be inspected by a qualified inspector each year. Agents from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration may also board the truck to make sure it is properly maintained, and can declare that a truck must be pulled from service if there are maintenance issues.

Maintenance Responsibility of the Truck Driver

At the beginning of the driver’s shift and again at the end of each day the truck is driven, the vehicle must be inspected. The driver must file a report with the trucking company after the trip has been completed. The next driver must look through this report and note any maintenance problems that the last driver needed to take care of. If a problem occurs on a driver’s shift, he or she must notify their trucking company immediately.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it is important that you contact an experienced truck accident attorney to help determine who is responsible.

If you have been involved in a truck accident in the state of Oklahoma, please contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Self & Associates today for an initial consultation.

Truck accidents can be catastrophic under normal circumstances, without the influence of alcohol. Big rig truckers operate under strict time constraints that often cause them to cut corners in order to meet deadlines – driving faster, for longer hours, and more recklessly. When alcohol is added to this mix, the consequences can be devastating. Few passenger vehicles can withstand the impact of a semi without serious injury or death.

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a zero tolerance policy for truckers who drink and drive. Operation of any safety-sensitive machinery is prohibited while drinking or within 4 hours of consumption, and a breath alcohol test of 0.04 % or greater will result in the loss of a trucker’s CDL (Commercial Drivers License).

Unfortunately, there are still truck drivers who do not adhere to the law. Accidents involving drunk truckers should not be tolerated. The ensuing pain and expense can devastate a victim and family members for years. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident involving an impaired commercial trucker in the Oklahoma City area, you deserve justice and compensation for all of your losses.

Please contact Self and Associates today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers. We can help you fight for the full amount of compensation you are due. 

The incredible impact from any Oklahoma Truck Accident can cause severe, sometimes fatal injuries to the victims, including permanent injury to the spinal cord.

Because the spinal cord is so important to normal human activity and bodily functions, any back or neck injury should be considered very serious, and immediate medical attention should be the first priority after any vehicle accident, especially a truck accident.

An accident with a Big Rig or Semi Tractor Trailer Truck can deliver explosive impact forces to the occupants of smaller cars or SUVs. Anyone who has ever seen the tangled mess of metal that's left from a small car struck by a big truck should know exactly how dangerous and deadly this kind of accident can be.

Often a major truck company that has been involved in an injury accident is represented by a very experienced team of insurance defense lawyers. That's why if you've been involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler truck, you need the Best Oklahoma Truck Accident Lawyer you can find.

James Self and Self & Associates have been representing Oklahoma Truck Accident victims for over 35 years, and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements for their clients, all across Oklahoma. If you've been involved in a truck accident, please call today for a free consultation.

When trucks are overloaded, the rest of us on the road are put in more danger. Overloaded trucks are difficult for drivers to bring to a stop and keep under control. Our truck accident lawyers at Self & Associates have seen too many lives permanently altered because of poor decisions made by truck drivers and the companies they work for.

Overloaded trucks pose a variety of dangers to family-owned vehicles on our roadways, including:

• Tires can burst from carrying too much weight causing the truck to go out of control
• Speed can be uncontrollable downhill with a heavy load
• Brakes can fail more easily from the added stress of a weighty load
• Rollovers are more likely if the added weight raises the center of gravity of the truck
• Additional weight can shift the load on the tires from the front wheels to the back, making the truck more difficult to steer and keep under control
• Slower trucks going uphill can pose a risk around blind corners

A truck driver's negligence can cause you serious and catastrophic injuries, but you don't have to bear that burden alone. Our truck accident lawyers have fought for clients like you for years. We are here to help.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, please contact Self & Associates for your free consultation with an experienced Oklahoma City truck accident lawyer.

The trucking industry is one of America's largest and most competitive commercial industries. In today's consumer culture, trucks are necessary to supply an ever-growing population with the products they depend on. Unfortunately, the demand for more stock and a faster delivery time also poses a greater risk for truck accidents.

When trailers are loaded well over capacity, they are much more likely to cause devastating truck accidents, such as rollovers and jackknifes. These types of accidents can result in serious injury and even death to drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles. When you are involved in an accident with an overloaded truck in the state of Oklahoma, you deserve to be fully compensated for all of your damages.

Determining fault in a truck accident case can be complicated, requiring the assistance of an experienced truck accident attorney that knows what to look for during an investigation, and how to present the evidence in your case. When it comes to overloaded truck accidents, the responsible parties could include:

• The driver, who knew the truck was carrying an unsafe load and drove it anyway
• The company the driver works for, who allowed the unsafe load to be carried
• The company responsible for loading the trailer, who packed more weight than could legally be carried

Whatever the situation, attorney James Self is on your side to help you hold the responsible party accountable, and secure the full measure of compensation you are entitled to.

If you have been injured in a truck accident with an overloaded truck in the state of Oklahoma, please contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Self & Associates today for a free initial consultation.

Far too many Serious Oklahoma Truck Accidents are the fault of Truck Driver Drowsy Driving. We all are aware that many Oklahoma truck drivers are incentivized by their truck companies to do whatever it takes to get their goods delivered as fast as possible.

Sometimes that could mean VERY LITTLE SLEEP for the truck drivers. Drowsy Driving contributes to hundreds of Serious Oklahoma Truck Accident injuries and wrongful deaths.

Recent medical studies have shown that Drowsy Driving is as Dangerous as Drunk Driving. Driver reaction times are seriously slowed down, concentration and attention are dangerously reduced, not to mention that sometimes truck drivers actually nod-off, or fall asleep at the wheel.

If you believe you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a Drowsy or Sleep Deprived Truck Driver, you should contact the Experienced Truck Accident Injury Attorneys at Self & Associates, as soon as possible.

If you have been injured in a car accident, hurt by a defective product, or been the victim of medical malpractice, you may wonder if you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries. The process of filing a personal injury claim can be long and complicated. While laws are designed to protect victims, you must be able to prove who is at fault for your injuries, as well as the full extent of your losses and damages.

This is where the personal injury attorneys at Self & Associates step in. With over 30 years of experience, we know what to look for when reviewing the details of personal injury cases. We can help you determine whether or not you have a claim worth pursuing, and if you do, we will build a strong case that will get you the results you need to make a proper recovery.

We only accept cases that we feel confident we can win. If you have suffered serious injuries and a third party can be identified as the cause of your injuries, you may have a case. During your initial consultation, we will carefully evaluate your injuries and the circumstances of your accident to determine whether or not you have a strong personal injury claim.

If you have been injured in an accident in the state of Oklahoma, please contact one of the experienced personal injury attorneys at Self & Associates today for your free initial consultation.

This year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which regulates interstate trucking and passenger busses, implemented a new Safety Measurement System (SMS) that is designed to simultaneously reduce truck accidents and reduce the burden of inspection and regulation on trucking companies that consistently follow the rules.

One thing the new system does is focus enforcement efforts on seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASICs) that have been identified as contributing to truck accidents and personal injury by FMCSA research. These BASIC areas are:

• Unsafe driving (speeding, reckless driving, and inattention)
• Fatigued driving (Hours-of-Service violations)
• Driver fitness (Drivers must hold appropriate licenses and be medically evaluated to ensure they are qualified)
• Controlled substances and alcohol (use or possession of controlled substances or alcohol while on duty)
• Vehicle maintenance (proper maintenance of trucks, including lights, brakes, and more)
• Cargo-related (proper loading and securing of cargo)
• Previous crashes

Motor carriers found to be in violation of any of these areas will receive greater scrutiny and have to undergo additional inspections to maintain roadworthiness. Companies without violations will be given fewer inspections.

Hopefully, in addition to reducing the number of truck accidents, this new system will get dangerous carriers off the road more quickly and document their safety lapses. In addition, it may provide greater documentation in support of personal injury lawsuits related to truck accidents.

If you have been hurt or lost a loved one in a truck accident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you get compensation. To learn more about your legal rights, please contact Self & Associates in Oklahoma City to schedule a consultation.

Many Oklahoma Truck Accidents are caused by Distracted Truck Drivers. When a truck driver takes their eyes off the road to look down at a cell phone, or check their GPS, they are putting the lives of everyone else on the road at risk.

Some statistics show that as many as half of all Oklahoma truck accidents are caused by Truck Driver Distracted Driving.

If you have been involved in an accident with any kind of big rig, semi tractor trailer, or company truck (including Fedex, UPS, Walmart, or Target) be aware that the truck driver could be at fault if they were disracted by anything, even changing their radio or cb channels.

 To protect your legal rights, you should contact the Experienced Oklahoma Truck Accident Attorneys at Self & Associates.