When two passenger vehicles collide on an Oklahoma road, local police or state troopers are usually dispatched to the scene to assist the drivers and any passengers and briefly investigate the crash. Unless an accident is severe and involves one or more fatalities, law enforcement’s priority is typically to remove the damaged vehicles from the road and get traffic moving again.

When a semi-truck is involved in a crash, however, highways and interstates may be shut down for hours not only due to the size of the wreckage, extent of property damage, and severity of injuries but also because of the investigation that must take place.

In this blog, we explore some of the reasons that the state or federal government investigates semi-truck accidents.

7 Reasons for In-Depth Investigations After Semi-Truck Accidents

State and federal governments investigate semi-truck accidents when they involve the violation of regulations beyond local traffic laws and ordinances that can lead to severe injuries or fatalities—for example, trucking industry-specific laws and regulations.

State or federal investigators may travel to the scene of a semi-truck crash in Oklahoma under the following circumstances:

1. The Accident Involved Fatalities or Severe Injuries: When a truck accident results in fatalities or severe injuries, state and sometimes federal agencies may be called to investigate, particularly if there is potential negligence or regulatory violations.
2. Hazardous Materials Were Involved: If the semi-truck is carrying hazardous materials, federal agencies such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) or Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) may step in due to potential public safety risks.
3. Commercial Vehicle Regulation Violations Occurred: If there are suspicions of violations of federal trucking regulations, such as suspicions of drivers going over their federally allowable hours of service, neglected vehicle maintenance, or driver qualification issues, the FMCSA or state-level agencies might investigate.
4. The Semi-Truck Crossed State Lines: Semi-truck accidents involving interstate commerce (shipments crossing state lines) may draw the attention of federal authorities and trigger the involvement of federal regulators like the FMCSA.
5. The Crash Involved or Damaged Public Infrastructure: If a semi-truck accident causes significant damage to public infrastructure (bridges, highways, etc.), state and federal government entities may investigate it to assess its cause and impact.
6. There’s a History of Safety Violations by the Trucking Company: In cases where a semi-truck accident is part of a pattern of safety violations by a trucking company, federal authorities may launch an investigation into the company to determine if there are systemic issues putting drivers and other motorists at risk.
7. The Accident Was High-Profile or Large-Scale: Large-scale or high-profile accidents, especially those affecting traffic or causing widespread public concern, are likely to result in an investigation by state and federal authorities.

What Do Investigators Look for at Semi-Truck Crash Scenes?

State and federal investigators often perform much more in-depth investigations of crashes than local police officers or state troopers. While their investigations may begin at crash scenes, they often continue well after the scenes are cleaned up and the vehicles are hauled away.

Investigators’ tasks at semi-truck crash scenes and during subsequent stages of investigations include:

• Vehicle Inspection: They inspect the semi-truck for mechanical issues, review the electronic logging device (ELD) for hours-of-service compliance, and check the event data recorder (EDR) for speed, braking, and engine performance. The cargo is also examined for proper weight and securement.
• Driver Factors: Investigators assess the driver’s condition at the time of the crash by looking for signs of fatigue, impairment, or health issues. They also review driver logs and records to verify licensing, training, driving history, and compliance with hours-of-service regulations.
• Crash Scene Analysis: They analyze physical evidence, road and weather conditions, and the functioning of traffic signals near the crash scene. Skid marks, debris, and vehicle positions help investigators reconstruct the crash to better determine its causes and who is at fault.
• Involvement of Other Vehicles: The actions of other drivers, along with witness statements and any available video footage, are evaluated to determine the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
• Company and Regulatory Compliance: Federal agencies may audit the trucking company’s safety records, maintenance logs, and driver history to check for a history of violations or unsafe practices.
• Hazardous Materials: If the semi-truck was carrying hazardous materials, investigators check to see if the trucking company’s handling and labeling complied with state and federal regulations while assessing any containment or environmental risks.

Our Oklahoma City Truck Accident Lawyers Know Truck Accident Claims

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we appreciate the hard work of police officers, state troopers, and state and federal investigators after semi-truck accidents in Oklahoma. They help determine who is at fault and what circumstances caused a crash, which can help reduce the risk of future crashes.

Our Oklahoma City truck accident lawyers often perform our own independent investigations when building semi-truck accident claims. While state and federal investigators are most concerned about the causes of semi-truck crashes, we focus on who is responsible and how their negligence may have contributed to them. In turn, we use the evidence we find to help our clients get the money they deserve.

If you or someone you love was hurt in an Oklahoma City semi-truck accident, contact our experienced legal team today. Your case review is free, and you owe us nothing unless we get money for you. That’s our No Fee Guarantee®.