Oklahoma Personal Injury Legal Blog
Documenting Damages is Crucial to your Personal Injury Claim
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.
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Oklahoma City School Bus Accident Causes Injuries
A female motorist was injured in an Oklahoma traffic accident after the vehicle she was driving collided with a school bus. As reported by The Oklahoman, the school bus accident occurred near SW 129 and May Avenue in Oklahoma City. Officials have not released information regarding who was responsible for the crash. The mother of the car’s driver says that her daughter was injured in the Oklahoma City school bus crash. No children were injured in the collision.
School bus accidents often result in injuries because of the size and weight of the vehicle, but it is often occupants of other vehicles who suffer the majority of the injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1,564 people were killed in school transportation-related crashes between the years 1998 and 2008. The majority of those fatalities (72 percent) involved occupants of other vehicles.
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Oklahoma City Hit-and-Run Crash Involves Speed and Alcohol Officials Say
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.”
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Man Killed in Oklahoma DUI Rollover Accident
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.
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What Should You Do Immediately after an Oklahoma Car Accident?
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.
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Stop Sign-Running Truck in Oklahoma Causes Fatal Crash
A teenager was killed and two others suffered critical injuries in an intersection truck accident in Cimmaron County, News 9 reports. Officials say the accident involving a 2009 four-door Dodge pickup and a tractor trailer occurred at the intersection of US Highway 64 and state highway 171, three miles south of Keyes. Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials say the Freightliner tractor trailer was heading south on the 171 when its driver ran a stop sign at the intersection and struck the Dodge carrying five teenagers.
A 19-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Two others were treated and released in local hospitals. The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured. It is not clear if any charges will be filed.
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Internal Injuries Commonly Sustained in Oklahoma City Car Accidents
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.
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Woman Killed in Car Crash on State Highway 97
A 55-year-old woman was killed in a Tulsa County car accident when the Ford SUV in which she was a passenger struck another vehicle. According to a News 9 report, the fatal car crash occurred at Highway 97 and 61st Street in Tulsa County. Officials say a 20-year-old driver failed to stop at a stop sign before the SUV struck her car. The passenger in the SUV was killed in the crash. The 62-year-old driver of the SUV and the driver of the car that ran through the stop sign were both treated at a nearby hospital. It is unclear if the driver responsible for the fatal car crash will be cited for the collision.
It is important that all Oklahoma motorists obey traffic control devices at intersections. According to Oklahoma Statute 47-11-201, “The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of this act.” This means that drivers must come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights. Drivers who fail to obey Oklahoma traffic control devices can be held accountable for their negligence.
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Is the Insurance Company Really Your Friend?
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.
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Driving Tips for a Safe and Happy Oklahoma New Year
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.
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