2012 June Archive

A woman was seriously injured in an Oklahoma City car accident that involved a driver who fled the scene of the crash. According to a NewsOK report, the hit-and-run accident occurred on the south side of NW 23 east of Meridian Avenue in Oklahoma City. Officials say a car overturned on the roadway before two of the three occupants fled the scene of the accident. A woman in the vehicle suffered critical injuries and was listed as unconscious at the time of this report. Officials are still trying to determine which one of the two men was responsible for the accident.

It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident when someone has suffered an injury. Under Oklahoma Section 10-102.1: “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in the death of any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident.”

All motorists involved in an injury accident should contact the authorities, exchange contact information, and remain at the crash site until help arrives. Victims of negligent drivers who fail to remain at the scene of the crash would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will stay abreast of the official investigation. It may be possible to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the resulting medical bills, lost wages, suffering, and other related damages.

The reputed Oklahoma City car accident attorneys at the Maples Law Firm know how to obtain fair compensation for victims of hit-and-run collisions. To discuss your legal rights at no-cost, please call one of our car accident attorneys today at (888) 226-6159.

One person was hospitalized in an Oklahoma City motorcycle accident involving a collision between a motorcycle and a truck. According to a KOCO news report, the motorcycle accident occurred near the intersection of Northeast 23rd Street and North Coltrane Road in Oklahoma City. Officials are looking into whether the motorcycle drove into the truck. One of the motorists was transported to a nearby hospital. It is not clear how the accident occurred or how it could have been prevented.

Any time an intersection accident occurs, investigators will have to determine if either motorist failed to obey the posted traffic control device. According to Oklahoma Statute 11-201: “The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this act, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer.”

Was either motorist driving distracted before the collision? Was one of the drivers exceeding the speed limit and unable to stop at the intersection? Was alcohol a contributing factor in the accident? These are some of the questions that must be asked following an injury accident. If it is determined that one of the motorists was careless or reckless before the collision, then he or she can be held liable for the injuries suffered by the victim. In such cases, a skilled car accident attorney can help pursue compensation for medical bills, hospitalization costs, lost wages, the cost of rehabilitation services, and other related damages.

The experienced Oklahoma intersection accident lawyers at Maples Law Firm help injured victims of Oklahoma City car accidents get fair compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an Oklahoma accident, please call our offices at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation.

Two Bartlesville residents were injured in an Oklahoma car accident involving a head-on collision. According to a KJRH news report, the head-on collision occurred on Price Road in Bartlesville. Officials say a northbound Mercedes SUV went left of center and crashed head-on into a Mitsubishi Galant. The woman, who was in her 70s, was driving the Mitsubishi and suffered injuries to her leg and chest as well as lacerations to her arms as a result of airbag deployment. The male driver of the Mercedes, a man in his 30s, suffered a head laceration. It is unclear if the driver of the Mercedes will face citations for crossing into oncoming traffic.

Under Oklahoma Statute 11.311: “Whenever any highway has been divided into two or more roadways by leaving an intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway.” Drivers who let their vehicles drift into oncoming traffic may be held liable for the damages they cause.

A driver does not have to be cited for a collision to be held civilly responsible for the victim’s losses. Victims of Oklahoma car accidents only have to prove that the at-fault party was negligent at the time of the collision. Examples of driver negligence include: exceeding the speed limit, fatigued or drowsy driving, driving while distracted, and failing to stay within a lane of traffic.

The experienced car accident injury attorneys in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm have a proven track record of holding negligent drivers accountable for the damages they cause. Our reputed car accident attorneys provide free consultations to anyone who has suffered a loss in an Oklahoma car accident. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help.

A man was killed in an Oklahoma car accident involving a collision between a vehicle and a train. According to a news report in The Associated Press, the fatal train accident occurred at the intersection of Elm Street and Radio Road in El Reno. Officials say the victim was the sole occupant of the car at the time of the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The cause of the collision remains under investigation.

According to the Annual Railroad Safety Statistics report by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were 11,142 train accidents and incidents in the United States in the year 2009. In those accidents, 695 people were killed and 7,925 were injured. In Oklahoma, 11 fatalities and 64 injuries resulted from train accidents during that same year. Between the years 2005 and 2009, 68 people were killed and 467 were injured in Oklahoma train accidents.

Investigators of train versus car collisions must usually answer a number of questions. Did the railroad crossing have properly working traffic control or warning devices? Did the motorist drive past a blinking light or through a railroad crossing gate? Was the train operator attentive at the time of the collision? Did he or she use the train whistle while approaching the crossing? Was there a mechanical malfunction in the vehicle as it was crossing the tracks? Was the car pushed into the oncoming train by another vehicle?

The experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have successfully handled cases involving train versus car collisions. If you have lost a loved one or have been injured in an Oklahoma train accident, please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

If you are experiencing neck pain or stiffness following an Oklahoma car accident, you may be suffering from whiplash. Other potential symptoms include: headaches, shoulder pain, dizziness, fatigue, and back pain. If you are feeling any of these symptoms, it is important that you report the accident to the authorities and seek immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, the resulting medical bills, lost wages, and other related losses suffered in a whiplash accident could add up quickly. If, however, the whiplash injury resulted from someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, financial compensation may be available for the victim’s injuries, damages, and losses.

If your medical records show that you have suffered a whiplash injury, the next step in pursuing financial compensation for your losses is to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider. Ideally, they will offer you a settlement that covers all of your past and future medical bills related to the accident as well as compensation for any other losses you may have suffered. Sadly, it is common for insurance companies to deny valid claims or to offer settlements that do not even begin to fully cover the losses suffered in a car accident.

In such cases, it may be necessary to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. You will have to prove that the driver was negligent at the time of the accident and that his or her negligence directly resulted in your injuries and losses. A skilled car accident attorney can work with investigators to prove how the accident occurred and work with medical professionals to determine the extent of the injuries suffered.

If you have suffered whiplash or other injuries in an Oklahoma car accident, please do not hesitate to call the reputed auto accident injury lawyers in Oklahoma of the Maples Law Firm at (888) 226-6159. We are here to help protect your legal rights and your best interests. Call us today for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Six people were injured in a Lincoln County traffic accident, which police report involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The News-Star, the DUI car accident occurred on County Road 950 west of County Road 3340 in Shawnee. Officials say the 23-year-old driver of a 2006 Ford F-150 was under the influence when his vehicle left the roadway and struck an embankment and a culvert before overturning. The report states that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt when he was ejected. He suffered head, internal, and external injuries.

A 33-year-old female passenger suffered head and arm injuries, a 30-year-old woman sustained internal injuries, a 20-year-old woman suffered a head injury, a 22-year-old man sustained head and arm injuries, and an 18-year-old man was treated and released for arm and head injuries.

Drivers who choose to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol put themselves, their passengers, and everyone else on the roadway at great risk of injury. According to Oklahoma Statute 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, whether upon public roads, highways, streets, turnpikes, other public places or upon any private road, street, alley or lane which provides access to one or more single or multi-family dwellings, who: 1. Has a blood or breath alcohol concentration, as defined in Section 756 of this title, of eight-hundredths (0.08) or more.”

Victims of drunk drivers can pursue financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, suffering, and other related damages through civil litigation. A skilled Oklahoma City car accident attorney will make sure that fair compensation is offered to injured victims of drunk drivers.

The experienced personal injury lawyers at Maples Law Firm know how to get victims and their families the support they need following an accident. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an Oklahoma car accident, please call our offices today at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

A 4-year-old girl was injured in an Oklahoma car accident involving a driver who fled the scene of the crash on foot. According to a news report in The Tahlequah Daily Press, the hit-and-run accident occurred at Muskogee Avenue and Meadow Creek Drive in Tahlequah. Officials say the driver of a 1999 Chevrolet K15 ran a red light and struck a 2002 Honda. The 4-year-old passenger in the Honda suffered severe injuries to her head and body. Officials have not been able to locate the hit-and-run driver.

Leaving the scene of a car accident is illegal under Oklahoma law. Under Oklahoma Statute 47-10-103-A: “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to a vehicle which is driven or attended by any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of such accident.”

Anyone who has been injured in an Oklahoma hit-and-run accident would be well advised to discuss his or her legal options with a skilled personal injury lawyer. A car accident attorney with experience handling hit-and-run accidents will know how to pursue financial compensation whether or not the at-fault driver is found by the authorities.

The experienced Oklahoma City auto accident injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm know how to get injured car accident victims the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free case evaluation.

A 52-year-old Ardmore woman was killed over the Memorial Day weekend in a boating accident. According to a KXII news report, the fatal OK boat accident occurred at Lake Murray in Ardmore. Officials say she was ejected and fatally injured when two boats collided. The eight other people involved in the incident were not injured. Authorities are currently investigating if the 34-year-old driver of the other boat was drinking at the time of the crash.

An important part of safe boating is remaining sober. Oklahoma boaters who operate while under the influence of drugs or alcohol put everyone on the water at risk. Boating under the influence is one of the leading causes of fatal boating accidents nationwide. Since Memorial Day weekend of 2011, Oklahoma has adopted a state law that lowered the legal blood alcohol limit for boat operators from .10 to .08 percent. Boat operators who are under the influence must submit to an alcohol test and they may be held accountable for the damages they cause.

The family of someone killed in an Oklahoma boating accident might have it in their best interest to consult with a skilled personal injury lawyer. Victims of boater negligence or wrongdoing can pursue financial compensation for their losses. In such cases, compensation may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages.

An experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney at the Maples Law Firm will know how to determine liability for a boating accident. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.