2012 July Archive

An 18-year-old woman was injured in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident when the 24-year-old driver of the motorcycle on which she was a passenger lost control of his vehicle and crashed. According to a news report in Ardmoreite.com, the motorcycle crash occurred on Chisholm Park Road south of Chisholm Road in Jefferson County. Officials say the 24-year-old male motorcyclist was attempting to catch up to another vehicle when he lost control. The female passenger of his 2004 Yamaha motorcycle suffered arm, leg, and other injuries. The driver refused treatment at the scene. Officials believe that the motorcyclist was traveling at an unsafe rate of speed.

Oklahoma motorists must travel not only under the speed limit, but also at a speed relative to the conditions on the roadway. Under Oklahoma Statute 11-801: “Any person driving a vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the highway and any other conditions then existing. No person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than will permit the driver to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.”

Victims of motorcycle accidents would be well advised to discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney. Financial compensation may be available for their medical bills, lost wages, suffering, and other related damages. The experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyers in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm have a long history of handling motorcycle accidents throughout Oklahoma. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation.

Debris on the roadway forced the driver of an SUV to swerve out of the way before crashing into a wall. According to a News On 6 report, the Oklahoma car accident occurred on Highway 169 near the 61st Street exit in Tulsa. Officials say the SUV was headed north when the vehicle nearly struck a mattress that was left on the roadway. The driver swerved and the SUV struck a wall. Emergency crews checked out the driver and passengers, but no one was transported to hospitals.

Drivers who are responsible for causing an accident by dropping debris on the roadway can be held accountable for any accidents that result from the hazardous conditions. According to Oklahoma Statute 21-1753.3: “The operator of a vehicle…shall be liable pursuant to subsection B of this section for any act of throwing, dropping, depositing, or otherwise placing any litter from a vehicle upon highways, roads, or public property.”

When the at-fault driver cannot be found, it must be determined if the governing body in charge of the roadway was aware of the hazardous conditions and failed to act. A skilled Oklahoma traffic accident attorney can review the circumstances of the case to determine who should be held liable for the victim’s medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related damages. When the at-fault party is not found, injured victims of roadway debris accidents may also be able to claim compensation through the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policy.

The experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyers at Maples Law Firm help victims of injury accidents get fair compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Have you thought about what to do if you are ever involved in an Oklahoma car accident? The steps you take immediately following the collision can affect your ability to pursue compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses in the future.

First, check yourself, your passengers, and the other parties involved in the crash for injuries. If anyone has suffered an injury, you are legally required to contact the authorities right away. If your neck, back, or head hurts, you may want to stay where you are and wait for help. If you are capable of moving around without suffering further injury, you should begin collecting information that can be very important during the claims process.

Be sure to get the name, contact, and insurance information from the drivers involved in the crash. Collect the contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the collision as well. If you have a camera, or a phone that takes pictures, photograph the crash site, the vehicles, tire marks, and your injuries. Also, write down where, when, and how the crash occurred.

When the authorities arrive, get your account of the incident into the police report. If police do not arrive, file a report at the station as soon as possible. Next, you should seek medical attention. Seeing a doctor promptly will increase your chances of a full recovery. Additionally, your medical records can serve as legal proof of your injuries.

If you have suffered a serious injury, or you worry that the at-fault driver will refuse to accept blame for the incident, please contact the experienced Oklahoma City auto accident injury attorneys at Maples Law Firm. Call us at (888) 226-6159 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

A 26-year-old woman from Ardmore was injured in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident, which officials report, involved a driver who was under the influence. According to a news report in The Ardmoreite, the motorcycle accident occurred on U.S. Highway 177 north of Dickson. Officials say the 27-year-old man operating the 2012 Harley Davidson was under the influence of illegal drugs when he failed to negotiate a curve. The injured victim was a passenger on the motorcycle at the time of the crash. She has been listed in stable condition with multiple injuries. The motorcyclist was not injured in the crash.

Motorcyclists who choose to ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol put themselves, their passengers, and anyone else on the roadway at great risk of suffering an injury. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27 percent of all motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol concentration of over .08 percent in the year 2006. Of the motorcyclists between the ages of 35 and 39 killed in motorcycle crashes that year, 41 percent were over the legal limit. Clearly, drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than sober riders.

Victims of DUI accidents in Oklahoma can pursue financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and suffering by filing a claim against the at-fault driver. This process can become more complicated when the at-fault motorists is a friend or family member. A skilled personal injury attorney can provide a confidential consultation on all of the legal options available for the victim.

The Oklahoma motorcycle collision lawyers at Maples Law Firm help injured victims of Oklahoma motorcycle accidents get fair compensation for their damages and losses. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.

Jackknife truck accidents can cause devastating damages and serious injuries. A tractor-trailer jackknife involves a bend at the hinge between the trailer and the tractor. This motion can cause the truck to veer out of control or even rollover. Tragically, these incidents often result in injuries to the truck driver and any other motorist that was close to the truck during the incident.

Drivers who witness a trailer begin to swerve back and forth while braking should keep their distance. It is possible that the trailer will begin to push the tractor from behind before swinging to the side. The swinging trailer can easily crush a smaller passenger vehicle. Once the truck comes to a stop it may be on its side or completely jackknifed. In either case, the truck driver will have difficulty getting his or her vehicle off the roadway. A completely stopped truck on the highway can be extremely dangerous for approaching motorists.

These types of incidents can result from a number of hazardous conditions. They sometimes occur when a tractor begins to brake and the trailer continues because of icy or wet surfaces. Jackknife accidents can also occur on tight curves or steep declines. Sometimes, these incidents do not result from driver negligence but from an equipment malfunction or defective auto part.

Victims of Oklahoma jackknife accidents may have it in their best interest to discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced truck accident attorney. Financial compensation may be available for their pain and suffering, time away from work, medical expenses, and other related damages. The skilled Oklahoma City truck accident injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have a proven track record of handling jackknife truck accidents. We provide free consultations to anyone injured in an Oklahoma truck accident at (888) 226-6159. Please contact us today to find out how we can help.

Two people were killed in an Oklahoma rollover accident in which several people were ejected. According to a news report in The Purcell Register, the fatal car crash occurred on state Highway 74 north of the Garvin-McClain County line. Officials say a 2000 Chevrolet pickup drifted off the roadway before the 20-year-old male driver over-corrected, causing the vehicle to roll over multiple times. The driver and a 19-year-old male passenger were fatally injured in the rollover. A 24-year-old female passenger survived the crash with serious injuries. According to the report, all three occupants were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

There are a number of questions that must be asked following a rollover accident involving passenger ejections. What caused the vehicle to roll over? Did the top-heavy design of the vehicle contribute to the crash? Did a hazardous roadway condition, such as a dangerous shoulder or large pothole, cause the vehicle to veer out of control? Was the driver speeding, distracted, or fatigued at the time of the crash? Were the occupants wearing seatbelts that failed to work properly during the rollover? Were other vehicles or drivers involved?

The family of someone killed in a single-vehicle accident would be well advised to preserve the damaged vehicle for a thorough inspection and to speak with an experienced car accident attorney. Financial compensation may be available for their tragic losses.

The experienced Oklahoma City auto accident wrongful death lawyers at the Maples Law Firm offer no-cost, confidential consultations at (888) 226-6159 to anyone who has suffered a loss or lost a loved one in an Oklahoma car accident. Please contact us today to find out how we can help.

A 27-year-old woman was killed in a Tulsa intersection accident involving a two-car collision at an intersection. According to a news report in Tulsa World, the fatal car crash occurred on Lynn Lane Road and 21st Street in Tulsa. Officials say the victim’s vehicle stopped before entering the intersection where a second car struck it. The driver suffered fatal injuries and her 17-year-old female passenger has been listed in critical condition. The 45-year-old woman driving the other vehicle sustained injuries that are not considered life threatening. It is unclear if she will be cited for the fatal crash.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, there were 616 fatalities and 24,445 injuries suffered in Oklahoma car accidents in the year 2010. During that same year, there were eight fatalities reported as a result of 9,687 car accidents in Tulsa.

Many Oklahoma car accidents occur at city intersections. In such cases, it must be determined if either driver failed to obey a traffic control device. Was either motorist speeding, distracted, or fatigued? Was alcohol a contributing factor? Did one of the drivers fail to properly yield the right of way? A skilled car accident attorney will stay on top of the official investigation to help determine liability for the crash. In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, the at-fault driver can be held accountable for injuries, damages, and losses sustained by victims.

An experienced Oklahoma City car accident wrongful death attorney at the Maples Law Firm can help families receive financial compensation for the loss of a loved one. We offer free consultations to anyone who has suffered a loss in a Tulsa car accident. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159.

Three crewmembers from Union Pacific were killed in a fatal Oklahoma train accident involving a head-on collision between two trains. According to a news report in the Associated Press, the fatal train crash occurred just east of Goodwell, 300 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. Officials say the collision triggered a “diesel-fueled fireball” that badly burned the remains of the victims. In addition to the three fatalities, one worker jumped to safety while only suffering cuts and bruises.

Investigators, based on preliminary reports, state that the signals were working properly and that one of the trains should have pulled onto a side track. Therefore, experts believe that human error may have been a factor in the accident. They are trying to determine if the negligence of an operator or a supervisor at the communications center contributed to the crash.

There are many questions that must be asked following a fatal train accident. Was one of the operators or supervisors distracted from his or her duties? Did the signal system fail to work properly? Was there a technical failure in the control room? Were the train and the train tracks properly maintained? How could the accident been avoided?

The family of a deceased train accident victim would be well advised to discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced Oklahoma wrongful death attorney. If the victim was on the job at the time, financial compensation may be available for their terrible loss through workers’ compensation death benefits as well as through civil litigation against the at-fault party.

The skilled Oklahoma personal injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm fight hard to protect the rights of injured victims and their families. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation to discuss your case.