An 18-year-old man was killed in a recent Oklahoma motorcycle accident after striking an object on the roadway. According to a News OK report, the young motorcyclist was killed on State Highway 3W north of Ada. Officials say he crashed after the motorcycle he was riding struck an unspecified object on the roadway. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the fatal accident. There is no information regarding the type of debris he struck or about who may have dropped or dumped that debris on the roadway.
According to a report released by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2007, roadway debris causes approximately 25,000 traffic accidents and nearly 100 traffic accident-related deaths each year nationwide.
Under Oklahoma law, it is illegal to dump any type of debris on the roadway. According to Oklahoma Statute 21-1753.3, “The operator of a vehicle, unless any other person in the vehicle admits to or is identified as having committed the act, shall be liable … for any act of throwing, dropping, depositing, or otherwise placing any litter from a vehicle upon highways, roads, or public property.”
In such cases, the individual or entity that dropped the debris on the roadway can be held civilly liable for the damages and losses. In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased auto accident victims can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and pain and suffering.
The experienced Oklahoma fatal motorcycle accident lawyers at Maples Law Firm handle all types of auto accident cases. We help injured clients and their families obtain fair compensation for their significant losses. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, please contact us at (405) 705-5050 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
