March 26, 2025 | Truck Accidents
A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Sadly, when these large vehicles get into crashes, the consequences can be catastrophic. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that there are nearly 100 semi-truck accident deaths statewide each year. The loss of a family member to a truck accident is a horrible and shocking tragedy. It is crucial that you know what to do to protect yourself, your family, and your rights. At McGuire Law Firm, our Tulsa truck accident lawyer explains what you should do if you lost a loved one in a crash in Oklahoma:
You Need to Take Care of Yourself and Your Family (Emotional Well-Being)
Life is precious. There are very few things more difficult, challenging, or heartbreaking than losing a loved one to a fatal accident—especially to a fatal trucking accident, which in most cases could and should have been prevented by proper safety precautions and protocols. Because losing a loved one in a tragic truck accident is such a devastating experience, it is crucial to prioritize your emotional well-being and support your family during this difficult time. Grief affects everyone differently, and seeking counseling or joining a support group can help you process your emotions. You should not hesitate to lean on friends, family, and community resources for comfort and assistance, and such action will not damage any right to recover.
In most cases, after an injury arising from another’s negligence or unintentional conduct, you will have two years under Oklahoma law to file a lawsuit. In some cases, the late discovery of an injury may toll that period, enabling you to file after two years have passed. Where intentional conduct is at issue (e.g., for assault, battery), however, you only have one year to file suit. In either case, you have time to grieve and find resources before engaging any lawyer—just be careful not to wait to long, thereby foregoing any legal claims.
You Have the Right to File a Civil Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Oklahoma law allows surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim when a loved one is killed due to another’s negligence or unintentional conduct. Of course, no amount of compensation can ever make things right after such a terrible loss—there is no set value on a human life, especially the life of a loved one. At the same time, your family may need and want justice, answers, and fair compensation. In the case of a fatal truck accident, you may have legal grounds to hold the trucking company, driver, or even other parties accountable. A wrongful death lawsuit can help recover damages for medical bills, funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, and the emotional suffering of the family.
An Attorney Can Help You Navigate the Fatal Truck Accident Claims Process
Civil wrongful death claims are notoriously complex. If you have a lot of questions about your rights and your options, you are certainly not alone. During these trying times, you should be able to focus on yourself and your family. An experienced Tulsa wrongful death attorney can help you identify all parties that may bear liability, gather all relevant evidence, and represent negotiations with insurance companies. Trucking companies and their insurers have aggressive legal teams that are working to minimize payouts, so you will likely need a top-rated Tulsa fatal truck accident lawyer on your side in order to recover full and fair compensation.
Contact Our Tulsa Fatal Truck Accident Attorney Today
At McGuire Law Firm, our Tulsa wrongful death attorneys have the skills and experience to handle a wide range of fatal truck accident cases. If you have lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free, confidential, and hassle-free consultation. We represent truck accident victims in Tulsa and beyond, including in all major metropolitan areas and throughout small communities across Oklahoma.