Personal Injury

A patient was killed in a recent helicopter accident in southeastern Oklahoma en route to a Tulsa medical facility. According to The Associated Press, the helicopter accident occurred near the Choctaw National Health Care Center. Officials have not stated if the patient died because of injuries sustained in the crash or from a previous medical condition. The helicopter’s flight nurse was transported to a Tulsa hospital in stable condition. The pilot and a medic suffered minor injuries, and it is unclear if any other helicopter occupants were injured. The accident is the third deadly crash involving an EagleMedLLC helicopter in Oklahoma since 2010.

The executive director of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems has stated that EagleMed’s accreditation will be reviewed following the crash. This fatal Oklahoma helicopter crash occurred less than four months after two people were killed in an Oklahoma City helicopter crash on February 22, 2013. Prior to that accident, a helicopter pilot and nurse were killed in a helicopter crash in Kingfisher on July 22, 2010.

There are many potential causes of helicopter crashes. Investigators of helicopter accidents must determine if the pilot was qualified, if careful considerations were made regarding the weather conditions, and if the transportation company properly maintained the helicopter. The outcome of their investigation may affect who can be held liable for the damages suffered by the victims of the crash.

The family of an individual who has been killed in an Oklahoma helicopter or plane accident can seek financial compensation for their losses from the at-fault party. A skilled Oklahoma personal injury attorney will make sure that the family receives fair compensation for their tragic losses. Negligent pilots and transportation companies can be held liable for funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages.

In addition to the natural Oxbow and Playa lakes, Oklahoma has more than 200 man-made lakes. There are more lakes created by dams in Oklahoma than in any other state in the United States, and many of them are great for boating. If you are going out on a boat this summer, it is important that you exercise caution. Boating can be dangerous, and collisions often result in devastating injuries.

Here are a few ways in which you can reduce your chances of being involved in an Oklahoma boating accident:

• Be prepared: Before getting out on the water, make sure you have enough life jackets for all of the passengers as well as a fire extinguisher and a bell or horn.
• Stay sober: Boating is often affiliated with drinking. It is important to remember that operating a boat while impaired is illegal and extremely dangerous.
• Require proper seating: It is important that you do not overload your boat past its capabilities. Try to have the weight evenly distributed in the boat and only allow people to sit in areas designed for seating.
• Be mindful of the weather: High winds, lightning, and rough waters are conditions that make boating very dangerous. As residents of Oklahoma know, the winds can pick up quickly. It is important to stay abreast of the changing conditions to avoid hazardous situations.
• Learn about boating rules: Maintain a safe speed, stay to the right, and never let an inexperienced boater take the wheel when the lake is congested.
• Use a spotter: Have a passenger with you at all times who is able to help you look out for boats, swimmers, skiers, and jet skis.
• Make sure the boat is properly maintained: Regularly inspect the cables and hoses for signs of wear.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an Oklahoma boating accident, please ensure that you learn about your legal rights. Financial compensation may be available for your significant loses. An experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you regarding your legal rights and options.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) declared April as Alcohol Awareness Month back in 1987. Every April, the Council strives to increase the public’s understanding of alcohol dependence and attempts to reduce the stigma that prevents individuals and families from seeking help. This April, the NCADD and its affiliates will release information and resources about alcohol and alcoholism to help those individuals who are struggling to break free from the clutches of addiction.

The theme of Alcohol Awareness Month this year is “Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow.” NCADD will employ a multitude of media strategies, events, and awareness campaigns. The goal is not to penalize or chastise those suffering from alcoholism, but to foster an environment that helps alcoholics seek out support. Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease that can prove injurious not only to the health of the drinker, but also to others if the individual ends up driving a vehicle while under the influence.

Alcohol-related car accidents are a serious problem in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety released a City Crash Facts 2011 report, which reviewed accidents that occurred in cities with a population of 5,000 or more. According to the 2011 study:

• 61 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in major Oklahoma cities;
• the cities with the most DUI-related fatalities included Oklahoma City (20), Tulsa (14), and Edmond (4);
• 165 people suffered incapacitating injuries and 438 others suffered non-incapacitating injuries in alcohol-related crashes.

Many of these tragic accidents could have been prevented if the driver sought out help for alcoholism before getting behind the wheel. If you or someone you love has suffered a loss because of a drunk driver, please contact an experienced Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

Victims of Oklahoma car accidents often suffer devastating injuries that require extensive treatment and time away from work. Most injuries, such as lacerations and bone fractures, can heal over time if treated properly. There are a number of injuries, however, that could last a lifetime. In some of the most devastating Oklahoma accidents, victims may lose one or more limbs.

The Oklahoma City amputation injury lawyers at the Maples Law Firm understand that these types of trauma are not common, but they can occur any time there is a high-speed collision. The force of an accident can be so severe that the victims are crushed inside or trapped by the bent metal and broken glass. In these types of crashes, it is possible for someone to lose a leg, arm, foot, hand, toe, or finger.

Immediate and effective medical treatment may be able to lessen the damage, but it is not always possible to reattach the damaged body part. Factors that could affect the possibility of reattachment include the duration of time between the accident and receiving treatment, the overall medical condition of the victim, the part of the body that was amputated, and the extent of the damage.

Victims of amputation injuries suffer devastating consequences. Even after lengthy and expensive physical therapy, they may never regain the strength or physical ability they previously had. Some victims of amputation injuries are incapable of performing at work as they once did. Others suffer from depression and a decreased quality of life.

When an amputation injury results from an act of negligence, the at-fault driver can be held accountable for the victim’s significant losses. A skilled attorney can help these catastrophically injured victims pursue support for their medical expenses, cost of rehabilitation services, lost wages, loss of earning potential, and other related damages.

If you watch enough advertisements, you may be left with the notion that insurance companies are your best friends in times of crisis. They all say they want to protect you and save you money. The truth is that insurance providers are highly profitable corporations that have it in their best interests to protect their bottom line. To remain profitable and to keep their board members happy, insurance companies train their adjusters to deny personal injury accident claims. They simply have more to gain from denying your claim or by low-balling you.

If you have been involved in an Oklahoma car accident, there are a number of ways in which you can protect yourself when dealing with an insurance company. Before you even call an insurance provider, make sure you have all of the crash details in front of you. Every time you deal with an insurance company, you should reference the same information. If you contradict yourself, it can be used against you. When you do call an insurance company, make a request that they do not record the conversation. You have nothing to gain by having your call recorded, but they can use the recording to their advantage.

It is also important to remain concise and to never admit fault for the crash. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the amount of compensation you are offered is often related to who was at fault and the seriousness of the injuries you sustained in the crash.

If your claim has been denied or if you have been offered an inadequate settlement, there may still be legal options available. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Maples Law Firm can help. We provide free consultations at (888) 226-6159 to anyone who has suffered a loss in an Oklahoma crash.

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.

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.

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.

Animal control officials in Bryan County are urging dog owners to secure their pets after two pit bulls mauled a 92-year-old man to death in his own yard. According to a news report in the Durant Democrat, the fatal dog attack occurred on South Walnut Street in Mead. The elderly man was seen lying in his yard with multiple bites all over his body. He later died in an area hospital. The two pit bulls that belonged to a neighbor were taken into custody. It is not clear if the dogs’ owner has been charged or cited.

The American Humane Association reports that there are 238 dog bite-related fatalities each year in the United States. About 24 percent of these deaths involving humans are caused by unrestrained dogs off their owner’s property. The city of Durant requires pets to be secured, but the municipal ordinance does not specifically state how an animal must be restrained.

According to Oklahoma Statutes Annotated §4-42.1: “The owner or owners of any dog shall be liable for damages to the full amount of any damages sustained when his dog, without provocation, bites or injures any person while such person is in or on a place where he has a lawful right to be.” What this means is that under most circumstances, dog owners can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused by their pets.

Injured victims can seek compensation from negligent dog owners for damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, medications, cosmetic surgery, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have a long and successful track record of helping dog attack victims secure the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

One person was injured in an Oklahoma City school bus accident after the bus collided with another vehicle in the southwest portion of the city. According to an Associated Press news report, one person was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. A 17-year-old ninth grader and the bus driver were not seriously injured, but both were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

School bus accidents may be rare in Oklahoma City. But when they do occur, they have the potential to cause major injuries or even fatalities. Some of the common injuries suffered in Oklahoma City bus accidents include: broken bones, head injuries, back and neck injuries, and lacerations.

Not all school buses are required under the law to be equipped with seatbelts. Federal law requires buses weighing under 10,000 pounds to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder restraint systems. However, larger buses, which constitute the majority of school buses on our roadways, are not required to have seatbelts.

When a school bus accident occurs, the bus company and/or the school district may be held liable for the injuries caused to students, depending on the cause and circumstances of the crash. Injured victims can file a personal injury claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, physical therapy, and other related damages.

If your child has been injured in a school bus or auto accident, the experienced personal injury lawyers in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your rights. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation.