2012 January Archive

A 21-year-old man died and four others were injured in an Oklahoma car accident. According to a news report in The Tulsa World, the fatal car accident occurred five miles east of Durant on U.S. 70. The 21-year-old man was driving as he was texting on his cell phone, Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say. He drove the 2002 Ford off the right side of the road, overcorrected, and then ran off the left side of the roadway. The vehicle rolled one and a quarter times.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. Officials also believe he may have been under the influence. Two 18-year-old female passengers in the vehicle sustained head and internal injuries. A 20-year-old woman and a 19-year-old woman were transported to an area hospital in stable condition. One other 21-year-old male passenger was uninjured.

Distracted or intoxicated drivers cause an overwhelming number of car accidents in the United States. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the year 2009, driver distraction caused accidents that resulted in 5,474 fatalities and 448,000 injuries. According to recent studies, text messaging while driving creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted. Teen drivers are more likely than other age groups to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported.

Distracted driving is negligent driving. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma car accident involving a distracted driver, the experienced Oklahoma car accident attorneys at The Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. If you or a loved one has been hurt by a negligent driver, please call our offices at 1(888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A 19-year-old woman who was driving the wrong way on the Interstate 44 caused a head-on collision, which sent four people to the hospital with injuries, NewsOn6.com reports. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say the woman was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of the freeway when she struck another car head-on. The driver and two passengers of the second car were taken to a Tulsa hospital. They are said to be in stable condition. A teen passenger, also from the car that was hit, was taken to a regional medical center in critical condition. Officials say alcohol was the cause of the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

It is illegal under Oklahoma law to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs under OS § 11-902. It is also against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.

Victims of DUI drivers can seek compensation from him or her to cover damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. In addition to facing criminal charges, DUI drivers can also be held financially responsible for the injuries, damages, and losses they cause.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma car accident as a result of a drunk or negligent driver, the skilled auto accident injury lawyers in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at 1(888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help you.

A 61-year-old man was injured in an Oklahoma car accident after his vehicle was hit by a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the Sand Springs Leader, the injury crash happened on the Oklahoma Highway 99 south of Hominy. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say a 36-year-old Sand Springs man was southbound on the highway when he traveled left of center and struck the other vehicle, which was a minivan. The minivan spun 180 degrees and ran off the road, trapping its driver inside. The man was extricated and transported to a Tulsa hospital with leg injuries. He has been listed in stable condition. Troopers determined that the 36-year-old driver who caused the crash was under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal under Oklahoma law. Under OS § 11-902, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is also against the law to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher.

Car accident victims who are injured by drunk drivers in Oklahoma have rights. Drunk drivers, in addition to facing criminal charges, can also be held civilly liable for the injuries, damages, and losses caused. Injured victims can file an Oklahoma personal injury claim against the at-fault driver seeking compensation for damages, such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, hospitalization, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, the skilled auto accident injury lawyers in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at 1(888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Four employees sustained injuries in an explosion at an Edmond manufacturing business, which officials say was caused by a dust cloud and a kerosene heater. According to a news report in The Edmond Sun, the workers were trying to clear an obstruction in one of the machines at the plant when it became clogged. At the time, a pipe became disconnected and a polymer, which is a type of powdery substance, was released creating a dust cloud. The dust reached an industrial space heater, which operates on kerosene and had an open flame. This sparked the explosion. Four workers suffered burn injuries. Two of the employees suffered severe burns. The facility has been shut down pending an official investigation.

Burn injuries, in addition to being extremely painful, can also be extremely expensive to treat. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a total of 4,547 people were killed in work-related accidents in the United States. Of those, 187 fatalities were caused by fires and explosions.

It is the duty of employers to provide a safe environment for their workers. After a workplace accident, there are several lingering questions. Were the workers properly trained for the job? Were there any safety violations that caused the accident? Did the workers involved receive safety training? Were the workers adequately supervised? Was there some type of a product defect or equipment malfunction that caused the accident? Injured workers can claim workers’ compensation benefits from their employers to help pay for medical expenses and treatment costs. In addition, depending on the circumstances of the incident, third-party compensation may also be available.

The experienced Oklahoma workers’ compensation lawyers at The Maples Law Firm have a long and successful track record of helping injured workers and their families. Please contact us at 1(888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A construction site accident can result in extremely serious injuries that may result in permanent or lifelong disabilities. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction is the most dangerous industry in the United States. Construction sites have the potential for serious accidents, including falls, slip-trip-and-falls, trench cave-ins, scaffold collapses, falling debris, and equipment malfunctions. Construction accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as limb amputations, blindness, head injury causing brain damage, spinal cord injuries (paralysis, quadriplegia, or paraplegia), shattered bones, or loss of hearing.

When workers suffer serious injuries on the job, they can seek compensation through the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. However, often, Oklahoma workers’ compensation benefits may be inadequate when it comes to compensating those who are catastrophically injured and may never be able to work again. If the injuries were caused by a third party other than the employer, the worker can also file a third-party claim. Examples of third parties include: general contractors, sub-contractors, equipment maintenance firms, property owners, or manufacturers of defective products.

It is the employer’s legal obligation to maintain a safe workplace and ensure that the workers are properly trained to do their jobs. Employees must also receive training pertaining to safety standards at the work sites. All work sites should be inspected properly to make sure there are no hazards.

Whether you are a crane operator, painter, electrician, iron worker, or sheet metal worker, the experienced Oklahoma construction accident attorneys at The Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options if you are injured on the job. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

When we entrust our loved ones to the care of a nursing home, we expect quality care and a safe environment. However, that does not always happen. When nursing homes attempt to cut corners and put profits ahead of the people they serve, it creates an environment that is ripe for abuse and neglect. Signs of nursing home neglect may not be easy to spot. This is why it is critical that you visit your loved one often and keep your eyes open for any symptoms of neglect or abuse.

Some of the most common signs of neglect are: excessive or rapid weight loss, poor personal hygiene, uncombed or knotted hair, dirty clothing, urine or feces on bedding or clothing, bedsores, and a malnourished appearance. These are the obvious symptoms of neglect. Many serious cases of neglect also involve lack of supervision, scarcity of facility staff, and failure to follow doctor’s orders. For example, lack of supervision can result in a patient suffering a fall. There have also been cases where a doctor might order the patient to eat only semi-solid or liquid food. However, if the patient is not supervised at mealtime, he or she may eat solid food and choke on it. Such incidents have proved fatal for nursing home residents.

Neglect can occur at many different levels in Oklahoma nursing homes. It can happen because the facility is understaffed. Neglect can also occur because of poorly trained, underpaid nursing home staff. Regardless of the reason, it puts your loved one in danger. If you see signs of abuse or neglect, please promptly report it to the nursing home’s administrators.

If you do not see a change or if you experience retaliation, or if your loved one has been seriously injured as a result of such negligence, please contact an experienced Oklahoma City nursing home abuse lawyer who will fight for your rights and make sure that the negligent parties are held accountable. The knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have a successful track record of helping injured victims and their families obtain fair compensation for their damages and losses. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A 32-year-old man was killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident after a pickup truck collided head-on with his cycle. According to a news report in The Tulsa World, the fatal car accident occurred on the U.S. 64 west of Pawnee. Troopers say the driver of the 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup truck, a 77-year-old man, was blinded by the sun’s glare when he crossed into opposing lanes of traffic and crashed into the Honda motorcycle. The motorcyclist died at the scene while his 30-year-old female passenger was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Another motorcyclist in a 2006 Harley Davidson who was behind the Honda also got run off the roadway as a result of the collision. That 52-year-old man also suffered serious injuries.

Motorcycle accidents are most commonly caused by drivers who are not paying attention to the roadway. In some cases, drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle. Some motorcycle accidents occur when another driver makes an unsafe lane change. Regardless of how the accident occurs, if a motorcyclist or passenger has been injured by a negligent driver, he or she has a right to claim compensation. Injured victims can file a personal injury claim seeking damages such as medical expenses and loss of wages. Families of deceased motorcycle accident victims can file an Oklahoma wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as funeral expenses and lost future income.

If a negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, the experienced Oklahoma motorcycle accident injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm are here to help you. We will not only stay on top of the official investigation and make sure your rights are protected, but we will also work diligently to help you get fair compensation and hold the at-fault parties accountable. Call us today at 1(888) 226-6159 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Fifteen people were injured in an Oklahoma City car accident after a Greyhound bus collided with a street sweeper in the early morning on January 4, 2012. According to a news report in The Oklahoman, the injury collision occurred at Interstate 40 and Rockwell Avenue. Officials report that there were about 50 passengers on the bus. Troopers say the Greyhound bus was eastbound on the outside lane of the Interstate 40, but was attempting to change into the inside lane when it collided with the street sweeper.

According to the article, the bus driver did not see the street sweeper as she changed lanes. Thirteen people who were injured were treated and released from an area hospital. The bus driver suffered trunk and arm injuries. A 20-year-old bus passenger was hospitalized with a serious head injury. All of the injured victims are, thankfully, expected to survive.

Bus companies – whether they are public or private carriers – owe their passengers the utmost duty of care. This means that bus companies are responsible for the safe transportation of their passengers. In any bus accident case, several factors could come into play. Was the bus driver drunk or buzzed at the time of the crash? Was he or she speeding? Was the driver distracted or inattentive? Did fatigue play a part? In cases where a negligent bus driver is involved, injured victims can seek compensation for injuries and damages from the bus company.

Injured victims of bus accidents would be well advised to contact an experienced Oklahoma City motor vehicle accident lawyer who will help ensure that their rights are protected and that they receive fair and full compensation for all damages. Victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party for damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma bus accident, the skilled personal injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm can help you pursue your legal rights. Please contact us at 1-888-226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.