By Maples Law Firm on June 18, 2012 -
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.
By Maples Law Firm on June 5, 2012 -
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.
By Maples Law Firm on April 24, 2012 -
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.
