Auto Accident

It is a common misconception that insurance companies act in the best interests of their clients. In reality, insurance companies are highly profitable corporations that protect their bottom line by denying valid claims and offering inadequate settlements to deserving claimants. If you have been injured in an Oklahoma car accident, insurance adjusters will likely utilize a number of tactics to deny or reduce the value of your claim.

Here are five tips to help you handle insurance companies and protect your best interests:

• Provide accurate and consistent information: If you are stressed out or nervous, you could end up contradicting yourself during the conversation. This could cause the adjuster to question the credibility or validity of your claim.
• Refuse a recording: There is nothing to gain by allowing the insurance company to record your conversation.
• Understand your losses: An important part of the process is calculating the potential value of your claim. Consider your current and future medical expenses and lost wages before calling insurance companies.
• Never admit fault: If you accept blame for causing the crash or for behaving negligently, you could end up hurting your case. Limit or put on hold your use of social media. Remember, your Facebook comments and posts can be used against you.
• Contact an attorney: It is not advisable to call an insurance company without first discussing your case with a skilled Oklahoma personal injury attorney. In some cases, it is even possible to have an attorney speak with the insurance provider on your behalf.

At the Maples Law Firm, we help victims of Oklahoma car accidents get fair compensation for their injuries, damages, and losses. To obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact us at (888) 226-6159.

A taxi driver is fighting for his life after a wrong way driver struck his vehicle head-on, News9 reports. Officials say the head-on collision occurred on Interstate 235 near Interstate 44 in Oklahoma City. According to police, a 29-year-old man was driving a white van north in the southbound lanes of traffic when it crashed into the Yellow Cab taxi.

The 37-year-old taxi driver has been listed in critical condition. The backseat passenger in the taxi was extremely sore and suffered a number of cuts and bruises. The driver of the van was hospitalized with unknown injuries. It is unclear why he was traveling the wrong way or if alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.

Some of the most devastating Oklahoma car accidents involve head-on collisions. These types of accidents can occur when a vehicle veers into oncoming traffic or when a motorist simply drives the wrong way in traffic. Under Oklahoma Statute 47-11-308-C, it is a misdemeanor to drive the wrong way on a one-way street. Under Oklahoma Code 11-311(a), whenever a highway has been divided into two roadways by a space or physical barrier, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway.

There are a number of potential causes of wrong-way accidents. Fatigued driving, impaired driving, and excessive speeds are some of the most common reasons these types of serious injury crashes occur. Drivers who are responsible for these types of devastating collisions may be held accountable for their wrongdoing.

Attorney Ray Maples and the legal team at Maples Law Firm have years of experience holding negligent drivers liable for the damages they cause. We offer free consultations at (888) 226-6159 to anyone who has been injured in an Oklahoma traffic accident.

A man and a woman had to be extricated from their vehicles after being involved in an Oklahoma City car accident that may have involved a drunk driver. According to a News9.com report, the DUI (driving under the influence) crash occurred at Hefner Road and Council Road in Oklahoma City. Officials say a 49-year-old man was under the influence when he crashed his Red Camaro into a second vehicle.

He suffered internal bleeding and had to undergo surgery. The woman in the other vehicle was taken to the hospital in unknown condition. The man who officials said caused the Oklahoma City car crash was charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol with great bodily injury, DUI, speeding, reckless driving, and disregarding a signal light.

Under Oklahoma Section 11-801, “It shall be deemed reckless driving for any person to drive a motor vehicle in a careless or wanton manner without regard for the safety of persons or property.”

Drivers who carelessly or recklessly cause injury accidents may be held accountable for their wrongdoing through civil litigation. It is important for victims to understand that criminal prosecution will not result in monetary compensation. In order to get fair compensation following an accident, the injured victim will need to file a personal injury claim and prove that the other driver’s fault or negligence caused the accident and the resulting injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma car accident caused by a reckless driver, please contact an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Oklahoma car accident victim lawyers know that it is all too common for insurance companies to offer inadequate settlements that do not fully cover the damages and losses suffered by a crash victim. If you have been hurt in an Oklahoma car accident, it is crucial that you carefully document your losses and that you contact a skilled attorney who can help you pursue fair compensation.

Every loss that is directly related to an accident should be included in a personal injury claim. In order to get monetary support for your losses, you will need to have documentation of every expense. Make sure you save receipts and invoices from your mechanic if you had your car repaired, as well as all medical bills. You should also request a copy of your medical records. If your doctor has informed you that you will need continued medical treatment, such as rehabilitation services or surgery, you need to keep a log of those expenses as well. You should also keep track of the number of days you missed work as you healed from your accident-related injuries.

Financial losses are not the only damages that can be included in an Oklahoma personal injury claim. It is also possible to pursue compensation for physical pain and mental anguish. You can document what you are going through by keeping a daily journal. Write down the activities you are not able to perform because of your injury. Keep track of your daily struggles and how your life has changed since the incident. A skilled lawyer will know how to calculate a monetary value for these types of losses.

It is important to remember that it is in the best interest of an insurance adjuster to deny your claim or to offer you a settlement that does not fully cover your losses. An experienced attorney will be able to analyze all facets of your case and ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.

An 18-year-old man was arrested after crashing into an SUV and leading police on a high-speed chase. According to a KOCO news report, the hit-and-run accident occurred on Harrah Road in Oklahoma City. Officials say the young driver was intoxicated when he crashed into an SUV, causing it to flip upside down on the shoulder of the road. It is not clear what injuries the male driver of the SUV suffered in the rollover. The driver than led police on a chase at speeds of up to 100 mph before being arrested. The authorities described him as being extremely intoxicated when they apprehended him.

It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident when someone has suffered an injury. According to Oklahoma Statute 47-10-102, “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in a nonfatal injury to 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.”

Victims of hit-and-run drivers in Oklahoma often struggle to get fair compensation for their medical bills, lost earnings, and property damage. A skilled Oklahoma City car accident attorney can help the victim and the victim’s family understand their legal options. Civil litigation may be possible if the authorities track down the at-fault driver. A skilled attorney can also inform families in such cases about how the uninsured motorist clause of their own auto insurance policy applies to the incident when the hit-and-run driver is not found or when the at-fault driver is an uninsured motorist.

The experienced personal injury lawyers of Maples Law Firm have a long history of handling hit-and-run accidents. We know how to determine liability for a crash and how to get our clients fair compensation for their losses. If you have been hurt in a drunk driving or hit-and-run crash, please contact us today for a free consultation through our online contact form or by calling (888) 226-6159.

A 41-year-old Springdale man was killed in an Oklahoma car accident when he was ejected from a rolling vehicle. According to a KFSM news report, the fatal car accident occurred on Highway 112 in Cameron. Officials say that alcohol was a contributing factor in the accident. The vehicle, driven by a 28-year-old man, ran off the right side of the road and rolled twice. The fatally injured victim was ejected through the rear window. The driver and another 28-year-old man were treated for minor injuries.

Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol put themselves, their passengers, and other commuters in peril. That is why it is a serious offense in Oklahoma to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Under Oklahoma Statute 47-761, “Any person who operates a motor vehicle while his ability to operate such motor vehicle is impaired by the consumption of alcohol, or any other substance, other than alcohol, which is capable of being ingested, inhaled, injected or absorbed into the human body and is capable of adversely affecting the central nervous system, vision, hearing, or other sensory or motor functions,” is subject to fines and potential imprisonment.

The family of someone killed in a drunk driving accident can pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a claim against the at-fault driver. This process may become more complicated when the drunk driver was a friend or family member. A knowledgeable car accident attorney can help a family understand all of their legal rights and options.

At the Maples Law Firm, we offer free consultations to anyone who has suffered a loss in an Oklahoma accident. Our Oklahoma drunk driving accident attorneys know how help injured victims and their family members protect their rights. Please contact us right away at (888) 226-6159 for a free, no-obligation consultation on your potential claim.

Oklahoma City car accident lawyers are often asked about the steps that must be taken immediately after a crash. If you have been involved in a collision, it is important to take several actions in order to protect your rights.

First, it is vital that you file an official report with the police agency that responds to the collision. Do not admit fault. Merely state the facts.

It is important that you obtain the name, address, insurance information, vehicle license number, and driver’s license information for all parties involved in the accident. Also, if there is anyone who witnessed the incident, make sure that you obtain contact information for those individuals as well. If you have a disposable camera or a cell phone camera, photograph the accident scene including all the vehicles involved and injuries sustained.

One of the most important steps you need to take after an accident is to get yourself checked by a doctor. Some injuries may be immediately seen or felt. However, there are many types of accident injuries that may surface several days or even weeks after an accident. Getting prompt medical treatment will not only create a record of your injuries and medical expenses, but will also maximize your chances of a quick and complete recovery.

Please do not sign any papers or enter into an agreement without first consulting your own injury lawyer. It is never a good idea to give the insurance company or any other party access to your personal information such as medical records. Please be wary of any paperwork that you are asked to sign.

The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have successfully handled numerous car accident cases and have helped injured victims secure fair and full compensation for their losses. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.

Immediately following an Oklahoma car accident, it is important to assess the situation and determine if anyone was hurt. If someone is bleeding or complaining of pain, you must notify the authorities and remain at the scene of the crash. Many injuries, such as lacerations and bone fractures, are readily apparent in the wake of a crash. There are a number of injuries, however, that are internal and much more difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, internal injuries often go unnoticed until after they have already caused substantial harm.

There are many ways in which drivers and passengers can suffer internal injuries. Occupants who are not wearing a seatbelt may be thrown within the vehicle upon impact, while properly secured passengers may suffer severe trauma when the seatbelt holds them in place. Others may be struck by a seat, windshield, dashboard, parts from another vehicle, or a flying object.

There are several types of injuries that can cause serious damage to internal organs. An abdominal aorta aneurysm, for example, is a rupture to the abdominal aorta caused by a compressed stomach. This type of injury is often fatal. Victims can also suffer broken ribs, which can result in a puncture injury to the lungs or major blood vessels. Many occupants involved in major collisions suffer from internal bleeding. This is when blood vessels in the body cannot repair themselves. Victims of internal bleeding may begin to feel fatigued, lightheaded, or cold.

The experienced Oklahoma City car accident injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm help victims of accidents get the support they need for their medical bills and other significant expenses after a serious car accident. We offer free consultations at (888) 226-6159 to anyone who has suffered an injury in an auto accident.

This holiday season, the roadways in Oklahoma may be treacherous. This should not, however, discourage you from traveling to friends and family to celebrate the holiday season. Here are a few driving tips to help keep you and your family safe during the busy holiday travel season.

First, it is important to make sure that your vehicle is in proper working order. Check that your tires are properly inflated and that the vehicle’s fluids are all topped off. When driving, adjust your speed relative to the roadway conditions. If it is wet or icy, slow down and give yourself more time to stop. When on ice, either hold your anti-lock brakes firmly or pump your brakes if you do not have an anti-lock feature. Also, if you see a vehicle behaving erratically, keep your distance.

There are many dangerous drivers on the roadway during the holidays. Motorists traveling from parties where alcohol was served may be intoxicated. Drivers who are traveling long hours to visit family may be fatigued. You cannot control outside factors, but you can protect your family by keeping an eye out for dangerous drivers. While it is a good idea to leave a two-car length between vehicles under normal conditions, during the holidays, you may want to leave even more space. If a vehicle is drifting, veering, or traveling too fast, pull over and notify the authorities. Your call may protect others from a dangerous driver.

The Oklahoma auto accident injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. If you ever need guidance regarding an injury claim, please call our offices at (888) 226-6159. We offer free consultations on all potential claims.

Broken bones are some of the most common injuries sustained by victims of auto accidents in Oklahoma. Broken bone injuries or fractures often result in significant pain and require continued treatment and care including physical therapy, the cost of which can add up very quickly.

There are a number of different types of bone fractures. A displaced fracture is when the bone snaps into two or more parts and moves so that the ends are no longer lined up. In a non-displaced fracture, the bone cracks, but it does not move from its proper alignment. A closed fracture is when the bone breaks but there is no puncture of the skin. An open fracture is when the bone breaks through the skin.

When a child is involved in an Oklahoma car accident, he or she may suffer a greenstick fracture. This is when the bone bends but does not completely break due to their bones being softer than an adult’s. When a larger vehicle crushes a smaller vehicle, the victims may be at risk of suffering comminuted fractures. This is when a bone sustains so much trauma that it breaks into several pieces. A devastating collision may also result in an “impacted fracture,” which is when the ends of the bone are driven into each other.

When a broken bone injury occurs as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, injured victims can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, surgery, treatment, physical therapy, and pain and suffering. The experienced Oklahoma City bone fracture accident attorneys at the Maples Law Firm help injured car accident victims get the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, please contact us at (888) 226-6159 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.