July 15, 2025 | Semi-Truck Accident

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds in Oklahoma. If you were hit by a large commercial truck, it could change your life in a single moment. If you were hit by a semi, you may be wondering: Who is liable for my crash? Oklahoma is a fault-based truck accident state. Any negligent party who contributed to causing the accident can be held responsible. Here, our Oklahoma City truck accident attorney provides a guide to fault in commercial truck crashes. 

Oklahoma is a Fault-Based State for Truck Accidents

First and foremost, it is important to understand that Oklahoma is a fault-based motor vehicle accident state, including for semi-truck accidents. The trucker, trucking company, or any other party that caused the crash through negligence can be held legally responsible for the resulting damages. 

Trucking Companies Must Follow Unique Safety Regulations

Trucking companies and their drivers are subject to strict state and federal safety regulations. These include rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), such as: 

  • Hours-of-Service (HOS) limits; 
  • Mandatory vehicle inspections; 
  • Cargo securement standards; and
  • Drug/alcohol testing requirements. 

Of course, truckers also need to comply with all applicable state/local traffic regulations, such as speed limits, red lights, and stop signs. 

Parties that Most Often Bear Fault for Truck Accidents

Every truck accident in Oklahoma requires a comprehensive investigation. You need to know exactly how and why the crash happened. A wide range of different parties may potentially be liable for a crash. Some of the parties that are often defendants in truck accidents include: 

  • Truck Driver: A truck driver may be at fault for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or violating traffic laws while operating the vehicle.
  • Trucking Company: The trucking company can be held liable for negligent hiring, poor supervision, unsafe scheduling, or failure to maintain the truck.
  • Cargo Loader or Shipping Company: Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transport and cause a serious crash.
  • Truck Manufacturer or Parts Supplier: If a defective truck part (such as bad brakes) contributes to the accident, the manufacturer or supplier may be legally responsible.
  • Other Passenger Vehicle Drivers: In some cases, another driver’s reckless or careless actions cause or contribute to the truck accident, making them partially or fully at fault.
  • Government Entity or Road Maintenance Contractor: If unsafe road conditions or poor signage played a role in the accident, a local/state agency or a contractor may be liable. 

Employers May Be Liable for Driver Negligence Under Respondeat Superior

In Oklahoma, the legal doctrine of respondeat superior allows an injured victim to hold a trucking company responsible for the actions of its driver. If the trucker was acting within the scope of their employment. In other words, even if the crash was directly caused by the trucker’s negligence, the company may be on the hook for damages.

An Overview of Comparative Fault for Truck Crashes in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a comparative negligence state for truck accidents (Okla. Stat. Ann. Tit. 23 § 13). Multiple parties may bear liability for the same crash. You can recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for a crash, as long as your degree of blame does not exceed 50%. However, your recovery will be reduced proportionately to your fault. 

Contact Our Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyer Today

At McGuire Law Firm, our Oklahoma City semi-truck accident attorney is a skilled, experienced advocate for victims and families. If you have any questions about fault and truck accidents, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a free case evaluation. We handle truck accident cases in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Lawton, and communities throughout the entire region.