Oklahoma Personal Injury Legal Blog
Kia and Hyundai Vehicles Recalled for Defects
Kia and Hyundai have issued a large-scale auto recall because of defective brake light switches and faulty airbags. According to a news report in the Atlanta-Journal-Constitution, 1.7 million vehicles from model years 2007 through 2011 are involved in this safety recall. The Kia vehicles involved in the recall include Sorento, Rondo, Sportage, Sedona, Soul, and Optima. The Hyundai models that are part of the recall include the Accent, Tucson, Elantra, Santa Fe, Veracruz, Genesis Coupe, and Sonata.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the faulty brake light switch can cause the brake lights to not turn on when the pedal is depressed. The defective switch may even prevent the cruise control from deactivating and can prevent the gear from shifting out of park. NHTSA warns that having brake lights that are not working properly can significantly increase the risk of a crash. No accidents have been reported as a result of this defective auto part, according to the automakers.
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How Alcohol Awareness Month Can Save Lives
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.
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Tulsa Dentist May Have Exposed Thousands of Patients to HIV and Hepatitis
A Tulsa oral surgeon is suspected of exposing thousands of his patients to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and even HIV because of his poor sterilization practices. According to an ABC News report, the doctor is under investigation by the state dental board, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, and the state bureau of narcotics because one of his patients tested positive for Hepatitis C and HIV. Officials say the victim had no other known risk factors besides receiving dental treatment from Harrington.
The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry conducted a surprise inspection of the doctor’s Tulsa practice on March 18. During their visit, they allegedly uncovered a number of problems, including:
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How Does Driver Negligence Cause Street Intersection Crashes?
Street intersections are often the sites of major injury crashes. It is all too common for drivers to speed through traffic lights or stop signs, and fail to yield to the right-of-way, which can cause serious intersection accidents. Driver negligence is the most common cause of intersection crashes in Oklahoma.
Common forms of driver negligence that can result in an intersection accident include:
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Pedestrian Hurt in Oklahoma City Hit-and-Run Crash
Thanks to surveillance footage from an Oklahoma City convenience store, police officers were able to view a pedestrian being struck by a car that then drove away. According to a News 9 report, the hit-and-run accident occurred at 29th Street and Kentucky in Oklahoma City. Officials are trying to find the three young men who were in a green Ford Explorer that struck a man and drove away. The victim suffered injuries to his head and arms but has been listed in good condition. It is unclear at this time if the driver or vehicle involved in this crash has been tracked down.
It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident when someone has been injured or killed. 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.”
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Honda Recalls Vehicles for Defective Brakes
Honda and Acura vehicles are being recalled for braking issues that can potentially result in serious injury accidents. According to a report in USA Today, Honda is recalling 183,000 vehicles in the United States, including Pilot SUVs, Acura MDX SUVs, and Acura RL sedans, all from the 2005 model year as well as Acura 2006 MDX models. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was petitioned to investigate the issue after vehicles started braking suddenly, causing vehicles to veer of the road.
Investigators say that the issue is with the vehicles’ stability control system. When working properly, this system helps drivers maintain control by selectively applying the brakes. Oxidation in a loose bolt or in the wiring, however, can result in sudden and prolonged braking. Anyone with a Honda or Acura SUV from 2005 or 2006 should research if their vehicle is potentially dangerous because of this defective auto part.
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Teenager Killed in Oklahoma School Bus Accident
A 19-year-old Sasakwa man was killed in a recent Oklahoma school bus accident. According to a report by The Oklahoman, the fatal car accident occurred on State Highway 56 south of Wewoka in Seminole County. Officials say the teenage driver struck a vehicle and then crashed into the rear of a school bus carrying 23 students.
The fatally injured victim was pinned inside his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. A number of students were treated for minor injuries and one of them was taken to a hospital by parents. It is unclear why the initial collision occurred or if anyone will be cited for the crash.
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Plastic Fragments Found in Frozen Steaks
If you have recently purchased “Fast Classics Country Fried Steaks,” do not eat them until you are sure they are not part of a massive food recall. It is possible that they contain plastic fragments and other foreign materials. The Virginian Pilot reports that Oklahoma-based company AdvancePierre Foods is recalling more than 15,000 pounds of frozen, country-fried steak products that were produced on December 21, 2012. The defective meat has a “best by” date of March 21, 2014 and the case code is 1523560202.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that the Oklahoma food company received two complaints from customers who suffered an oral injury while eating the food. Apparently a piece of a plastic bin broke off during production and shattered into smaller pieces.
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New Study Shows Teen Driver Deaths are on the Rise
Oklahoma City car accident fatality attorneys are extremely concerned about the upward trend in teen driver deaths. As data continues to come in, 2012 appears to be the second year in a row that the nation has seen an increase in teen driver deaths after eight years of decline. All 50 states and the District of Columbia are participating in the ongoing 2012 Teenage Driver Fatalities by State report conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).
According to preliminary numbers, 16- and 17-year-old driver deaths in passenger vehicles were higher in the first six months of 2012 than they were in the first six months of 2011. Nationwide, deaths of 16-year-olds increased 24 percent from 86 to 107 fatalities and deaths of 17-year-olds increased 15 percent from 116 to 133. The final numbers for the second half of 2012 will not be available for months.
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Johnson & Johnson Recalls Knee Replacement Device that Can Cause Fractures
An orthopedic device used in reconstructive knee surgery has been recalled because of the potential for fractures to occur. According to a Reuters news report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class I recall of the LPS Diaphyseal Sleeve manufactured by DePuy, the orthopedic unit of Johnson & Johnson.
The defective medical devices were manufactured between 2008 and July 20, 2012. Officials say that the devices can fracture at the joint, resulting in compromised soft tissue, loss of limb, or even death. The FDA reports that there have already been 10 known incidents in which the orthopedic device has failed or malfunctioned in some way.
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