By Maples Law Firm on December 28, 2011 -
An 80-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman from Osage County were killed in a car accident after their Dodge pickup was struck by a dump truck. According to a KJRH news report, the fatal Oklahoma truck accident occurred near the Lowe’s on Adams Boulevard in Bartlesville. Officials say the 80-year-old man was making a U-turn when a dump truck struck his pickup. The female passenger died at the scene of the crash and the male driver passed away that night. The driver of the dump truck was not injured and was not cited for the crash.
Under Oklahoma Law, drivers must only make a turn when and where it safe to do so. Under Oklahoma Statute 47-11-604: “No person shall turn a vehicle…unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway.” Drivers must not “move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.” Additionally, drivers are required to signal appropriately to alert other motorists before they make a turn.
Anytime there is a fatal crash involving a left turn or U-turn, it must be determined if the driver turned at a dangerous time or location, if a signal was used and why the other driver involved was unable to avoid the collision. The family of someone killed in such a tragic accident would be well advised to contact an experienced Oklahoma City car accident wrongful death attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.
The skilled Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys at Maples Law Firm help families pursue their legal rights in car accident cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
By Maples Law Firm on December 23, 2011 -
The holidays are a joyous time of year when most of us get together with friends and family. However, this is also the time of year when it is tragically common for serious injury accidents to occur on our roadways. Negligent drivers and those who operate under the influence of alcohol put everyone on the roadway at risk. If you are traveling this holiday season, please drive safely.
First and foremost, please do not drink and drive this holiday season. If you do consume alcohol during a party or get together, assign a designated driver or take a cab home. Driving under the influence is not only illegal, but by doing so, drivers put themselves and others on the roadway in grave danger.
When driving, remember that other drivers may be intoxicated and to keep your distance from vehicles that are swerving, drifting or speeding. If you see dangerous behavior on the roadway, pull over and call the authorities. Never attempt to pass a dangerous driver or follow a swerving car too close.
All Oklahoma drivers would also be well advised to prepare for inclement weather. Maintain adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you are taking a road trip, please be sure to make sure that your tires, brakes and windshield wipers are in good working condition. Also, be sure to keep a supply of food, water and warm clothes in your vehicle in case you get stranded due to bad weather.
If you or a loved one is injured in an Oklahoma car crashas a result of someone else’s negligence this holiday season, please call the reputed Oklahoma auto accident lawyers at the Maples Law Firm. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case assessment.
By Maples Law Firm on December 21, 2011 -
If you have been injured in an Oklahoma car accident, you probably know that dealing with insurance companies can be an added headache. Many valid claims are denied because of mistakes made during the claims process. Here are a few tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of dealing with an insurance company in the aftermath of an Oklahoma car accident.
Before calling the insurance company of the at-fault driver, you should collect all of the information you need. Write out clear and concise notes about where, when, and how the accident occurred. You should have contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident, as well as your own insurance information. Having notes with you will help you convey the information clearly and coherently.
When discussing the details of the crash with an insurance agent, it is important to remember that insurance companies are not your friends. They are large corporations that are highly profitable. They will look for opportunities to deny your claim or minimize its value. Do not allow them to record your conversation. For your part, do not relay inaccurate information, do not contradict yourself, and do not admit fault.
It will also be in your best interest to properly calculate all of the damages you have suffered. Victims often have car repair bills handy, but they forget about all of the other losses they may be compensated for. Did you have to go to the emergency room? Did you require hospitalization for your personal injury, rehabilitation, prescription medications, or time away from work?
If you have been injured in a car accident, you would be well advised to seek the counsel of an experienced Oklahoma City traffic accident lawyer who will guide you every step of the way and help you avoid the mistakes that can jeopardize or even kill your claim. Please contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Maples Law Firm who have a long and successful track record of fighting insurance companies on behalf of injured victims and their families. Please contact us at 1(888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help you.
By Maples Law Firm on December 19, 2011 -
A 7-month old baby was among the injured victims of an Oklahoma car accident, which police report involved a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Tulsa World, the DUI collision occurred on Oklahoma 72 north of Checotah in McIntosh County. Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a 57-year-old man turned his 1989 Dodge pickup left in front of a 1996 Mercury Marquis carrying a 49-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman, and a 7-month-old child. The driver of the Marquis suffered severe injuries. The other occupants were treated and released from the hospital. Officials say the driver of the Dodge, who was also injured, may have been under the influence of alcohol.
It is illegal under Oklahoma law to operate with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. It is illegal for anyone 21 years of age or older to driver a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The state has a “zero tolerance policy” when it comes to underage drivers, which means that they can face charges even if trace amounts of alcohol are found in their blood. It is also illegal under Oklahoma law when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle.
Drunk or negligent drivers, in addition to facing criminal charges, can also be held civilly liable for the injuries and damages they cause. Injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault driver in such cases for damages, including (but not limited to) all medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, and rehabilitation costs. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyer who has a successful track record of holding drunk drivers financially responsible.
The knowledgeable auto accident injury attorneys in Oklahoma at Maples Law Firm have a long history of protecting the rights of Oklahoma car accident victims. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a DUI crash, please call our offices at 1(888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
By Maples Law Firm on December 14, 2011 -
A 42-year-old male U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) worker was killed in an Oklahoma car accident after a vehicle veered into a construction zone and struck him. According to an Associated Press news report, the fatal accident occurred along U.S. Highway 75 in Ramona. Officials say the worker was standing on the centerline in a construction zone when a vehicle driven by a Skiatook resident veered left and struck him. The DOT employee sustained massive injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the vehicle was treated for head injuries. It is not clear if the motorist will be cited for the fatal crash.
Depending upon the circumstances of the accident, financial compensation may be available for the deceased victim’s family through workers’ compensation benefits. In cases where a party other than the employer is at fault, the family can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party seeking compensation as well.
A wrongful death is when someone’s negligence or wrongdoing results in fatal injuries. Examples of driver negligence include speeding, driving distracted, driving under the influence, and driving inattentively. A skilled wrongful death attorney will stay abreast of the official investigation to ensure that the best interests and rights of the victim’s family are protected.
The knowledgeable Oklahoma wrongful death attorneys with the Maples Law Firm have years of experience handling a wide range of fatal accident cases. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job or has been hurt by a negligent driver, please call our offices at 1(888) 226-6159 for a free consultation.
By Maples Law Firm on December 12, 2011 -
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year. Of those incidents, one in five requires medical attention. There are steps you can take to help decrease the chances of you and your loved ones being victim to one of these devastating accidents.
Children are at the greatest risk of suffering a serious injury in a dog attack. The CDC reports that the rate of dog bite–related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years old, and children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for dog bites. Children need to be taught early and often that not all dogs are safe, and that they should not approach dogs they do not know without parental supervision.
Under no circumstances should a child attempt to pet a dog that is eating, sleeping, or nursing. Children who are frightened of a dog should be taught to walk away quietly. Running and screaming may provoke the dog to chase the child. If approached by an unfamiliar dog, children would be well advised to remain motionless and to avoid eye contact. If a child wants to pet a friendly dog, it is best to let the dog see and sniff the child for a while before making contact.
The experienced Oklahoma City premises liability attorneys with the Maples Law Firm help victims of dog bite accidents get financial compensation for their medical bills, hospitalization and surgery costs, time away from work, pain and suffering, and other related damages. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, please call our offices at 1(888) 226-6159 to discuss your legal rights and options.
By Maples Law Firm on December 7, 2011 -
A survey conducted recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsy or fatigued driving is often as dangerous as drunk driving. Fatigued drivers are prone to losing focus or falling asleep behind the wheel. This type of negligent driving is particularly dangerous when large trucks are involved. To help prevent truck drivers from operating big rigs while drowsy, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict truck regulations on the number of hours truck drivers can work without a break or rest.
Drivers of property-carrying vehicles are regulated under 395.3, which states: “No motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle, nor shall any such driver drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle: (1) More than 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off-duty; (2) For any period after the end of the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.” Additionally, drivers are not allowed to be on duty 60 hours in any period of seven consecutive days or 70 hours within a period of eight consecutive days.
Trucking companies are legally obligated to monitor the hours their employees are working and to ensure that their drivers are well rested. Victims of fatigued drivers would be well advised to discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced personal injury attorney. At-fault drivers and trucking companies can be held liable for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, hospitalization, the cost of rehabilitation services, and lost wages.
The skilled Oklahoma truck accident lawyers with the Maples Law Firm have a long history of helping victims of truck accidents get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. Our attorneys know how to obtain records, such as driver logs and vehicle maintenance records, which could prove invaluable in a truck accident case. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma truck accident, please call our offices at 1(888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
By Maples Law Firm on December 5, 2011 -
A 23-year-old Tulsa woman and two 26-year-old Coweta men were killed in an Oklahoma car accident involving a suspected drunk driver. According to a Muskogee Phoenix news report, the fatal car accident occurred at Oklahoma 51B and 181st Street near Coweta. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say a 44-year-old Porter man lost control of a 2007 Pontiac and struck an oncoming 2010 Chevrolet. The three fatally injured victims were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash and three others were hospitalized with unknown injuries. Officials say the driver of the Pontiac was under the influence of alcohol, and that two of the fatally injured victims were not wearing seatbelts.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (ODPS), there were 245 fatalities and 3,248 injuries reported as a result of alcohol-related car accidents in Oklahoma in the year 2010. Under Oklahoma Title 47 Section 11-902: “It is unlawful and punishable as provided in this section for any person to drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of a motor vehicle within this state…who has a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher within two hours of the arrest.”
The family of someone killed in a DUI collision would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who will protect their legal rights and pursue the negligent driver financially on behalf of the victim’s family. In cases involving negligence, compensation may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future income, and other damages. The Oklahoma City auto accident injury attorneys with the Maples Law Firm offer no-cost consultations to anyone that has lost a loved one in a car accident. Please contact us at 1(888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help protect your rights and help you obtain the compensation you rightfully deserve.
