Truck Rollover Accidents in Oklahoma City
Commercial trucks crowd the roadways in Oklahoma City, bringing necessary goods and services into and out of the region. Our supply chain depends on large commercial trucks, but their immense size and weight present a danger to motorists in smaller vehicles during an accident. A truck rollover is one of the most destructive truck accidents in Oklahoma City and elsewhere. When a truck tips and rolls over on a major highway, the crash often involves multiple vehicles. As a result, they can cause major cargo spills, which can impact entire communities.
What Is a Truck Rollover Accident?
Commercial freight carriers, like 18-wheelers, are taller than standard vehicles. Unfortunately, truck designers cannot broaden the wheelbases of large trucks enough to achieve the same balance of vehicle body to wheelbase found in smaller vehicles. The size of road lanes limits the width of a truck’s wheelbase, leaving them top-heavy and more likely to tip and roll over than lower vehicles.
According to PubMed Central (PMC), a truck rollover accident occurs when a truck or trailer tips out of balance at a high speed along a curved path, causing it to lean in the opposite direction and roll over. These accidents often spill cargo and cause multi-car pileups, as other fast-moving traffic cannot avoid colliding with the truck, trailer, or debris from the crash.
What Causes Oklahoma City Truck Rollover Accidents?
Rollover accidents happen when a vehicle moving at high speed loses control. Rollovers are far more common in tall vehicles, including commercial trucks, pickups, and SUVs. A truck rollover may happen due to any of the following reasons:
- Speeding, especially around curves
- The trailer comes out of alignment with the truck
- Failure to adjust speed to slippery road conditions
- Sudden shifts of cargo weight
- Improper braking
- Tire blowouts
- Overcorrection
- Unsafe lane changes
- Making overly sharp turns
Inexperienced, fatigued, or impaired drivers are more likely to make errors that result in truck rollover accidents.
Damages In Truck Rollover Accidents
When a truck tips and rolls, other vehicles sharing the roadway often become involved in the accident when they collide with the truck and trailer or swerve to avoid hitting the truck, trailer, or spilled debris. Some truck rollovers cause hazardous chemical spills, fuel spills, and explosions.
When other motorists suffer injuries due to a truck rollover accident in Oklahoma City, they suffer damages such as medical expenses, lost income, reduced future earning ability, and pain and suffering. Catastrophic injury victims may also file claims for long-term damages such as loss of limb, disfigurement, or diminished quality of life. When a truck rollover causes a fatality, the closest surviving family member may file a claim for wrongful death damages.
Who Is Liable for Damages After a Truck Rollover In Oklahoma City?
Depending on the cause of the accident, a claim for damages against a liable party could be filed against the truck driver, the trucking company, a negligent truck maintenance company, a negligent freight-loading company, or the manufacturer of a defective part or equipment. An experienced investigator must determine liability for the rollover accident and file a claim or lawsuit against the negligent party responsible.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer In Oklahoma City Help?
Truck rollover accidents are traumatic and terrifying. Over 70% of truck accident injuries happen to motorists in other vehicles, not to the truck driver. If you or a close family member suffered injuries caused by a truck rollover, call Dan Davis Law at (405) 930-4210. Our experienced truck accident attorneys will take a results-oriented approach to achieve the most favorable outcome possible for every injured client.