Ylla | Gosney represents farm vehicle accident victims in Oklahoma City. If you or a loved one has been injured in a farm vehicle accident, our law firm can help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
With all the livestock and produce distributed across Oklahoma City from local farms, you’ve most likely seen plenty of farm trucks and vehicles on the downtown roads and highways. If you’re involved in an accident with a farm vehicle, you will most likely be able to sue a farm for damages caused by one of their drivers. However, there may be certain situations where you would be unable to sue the farm, and only the driver.
In any case, our law firm is here to help you navigate this unfortunate situation. Get the legal help you need and contact Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
When to Contact a Lawyer for a Farm Truck Accident
Determining whether you need a lawyer after being injured in a truck accident in Oklahoma City will depend on a number of factors. It is recommended to get a free consultation from one of our attorneys at Ylla | Gosney after a farm vehicle accident if:
- Your insurance does not fully cover your damages
- You suffered injuries that required medical care
- Your injuries caused you to miss time at work
If any of these scenarios apply to your situation, we can help you build a strong case and recover compensation for the following damages:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
Get a Free Consultation
At Ylla | Gosney, we offer all injured victims in Oklahoma City a free consultation. Knowing if you have a legitimate personal injury claim after being injured in a farm truck is the first step toward compensation. Our law firm is here to help you get through this tough time and explain your legal options.
Farm Vehicle Driver Liability in Oklahoma
Farms are businesses in Oklahoma and are subject to the same liability laws as all other businesses in the Sooner State. If the farm owns the truck and employs the driver, they will most likely be liable for the actions of their truck drivers through vicarious liability, which is covered in Oklahoma’s Respondeat Superior Law, which states:
“The employer or a principal could be held vicariously liable for an unlawful or unjust act of an employee or an agent. For the employer or the principal to be vicariously liable under the respondeat superior, the employer or the agent must commit the wrongful act while working in the scope of the employment agency.”
On the other hand, the driver of the farm vehicle could be an independent contractor, meaning they are not necessarily employed by the company. In Oklahoma, this is not uncommon as there are over 1 million independently contracted truck drivers driving across the United States every day, according to Rapid Response. If an independently contracted truck driver gets into an accident with you, you can file a lawsuit against the driver, but it will be difficult to include the trucking/farm company in the lawsuit.
Holding an Independent Contractor Liable for a Farm Vehicle Accident
When determining liability between the farm vehicle driver and the truck company, their relationship to one another must be clearly understood. You will need to establish if the independently contracted driver was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the accident. Also, the farm would have to specify the farm vehicle driver as an independent contractor in writing. Failure to identify an employee as an independent contractor would potentially make the farm liable for the farm vehicle driver’s actions. Other liability factors to be considered include:
- The level of control the farm has over the driver’s work
- The type of work the driver was hired to do
- The driver’s employment history
- The driver’s intent
- The nature of the accident and where it occurred
- The expectations the farm had for the driver
As you can see, accidents with independent contractors can become complicated fast. To help you manage your farm vehicle accident claim, the Car Accident Attorneys at Maison Law are here to answer all your questions free of charge and help you file the proper claim for your accident.
Notable Farms in Oklahoma City
Farms in Oklahoma City include many agritourism spots and family-friendly destinations. The majority of farms in the city combine urban agricultural projects with traditional farm practices. These farms include:
- Orr Family Farm: A popular spot right in OKC with a pumpkin patch, hayrides, over 25 attractions, festival foods, and seasonal events.
- Wind Drift Orchards: Pick-your-own peaches, nectarines, and plums from thousands of trees. Season typically runs mid-June through early September. Check their variety schedule for peak times.
- Buffalo Creek Berry Farm: Located southwest of OKC in Mustang, this farm features U-pick strawberries, thornless blackberries, and raspberries, plus fresh vegetables like okra, tomatoes, squash, and more sold by the pound.
- Agape House Berry Farm Seasonal U-pick for blackberries and blueberries, usually open mid-June to mid-July on specific days.
Determining Compensation for a Farm Vehicle Accident in Oklahoma City
If you’re injured in a farm vehicle accident, you may be able to receive compensation for your damages. Even though every personal injury lawsuit has different outcomes, there are three damages you can claim that will have a substantial impact on the amount of compensation you can expect to receive. They include:
- Economic damages: financial damages you incurred due to the accident.
- Medical bills
- Lost Wages
- Loss of future potential earnings
- Loss of property
- Cost of repairs
- Non-economic damages: these are subjective, non-compensatory damages.
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages: these are damages awarded to serve as punishment to the at-fault party.
- Reckless behavior
- Actions performed out of spite
Contact a Truck Accidents Involving Farm Trucks Lawyer in Oklahoma City
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to the carelessness of a farm vehicle driver in Oklahoma City, Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law can help you obtain the compensation you need. The road to recovery can seem difficult, but there are legal actions we will pursue to make you financially whole for all you’ve endured. Contact Ylla | Gosney today for a free consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront fees for our services, and you don’t pay a dime until your case is won.