Oklahoma Personal Injury Legal Blog
Common Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect
When we entrust our loved ones to the care of a nursing home, we expect quality care and a safe environment. However, that does not always happen. When nursing homes attempt to cut corners and put profits ahead of the people they serve, it creates an environment that is ripe for abuse and neglect. Signs of nursing home neglect may not be easy to spot. This is why it is critical that you visit your loved one often and keep your eyes open for any symptoms of neglect or abuse.
Some of the most common signs of neglect are: excessive or rapid weight loss, poor personal hygiene, uncombed or knotted hair, dirty clothing, urine or feces on bedding or clothing, bedsores, and a malnourished appearance. These are the obvious symptoms of neglect. Many serious cases of neglect also involve lack of supervision, scarcity of facility staff, and failure to follow doctor’s orders. For example, lack of supervision can result in a patient suffering a fall. There have also been cases where a doctor might order the patient to eat only semi-solid or liquid food. However, if the patient is not supervised at mealtime, he or she may eat solid food and choke on it. Such incidents have proved fatal for nursing home residents.
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Fatal Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident
A 32-year-old man was killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident after a pickup truck collided head-on with his cycle. According to a news report in The Tulsa World, the fatal car accident occurred on the U.S. 64 west of Pawnee. Troopers say the driver of the 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup truck, a 77-year-old man, was blinded by the sun’s glare when he crossed into opposing lanes of traffic and crashed into the Honda motorcycle. The motorcyclist died at the scene while his 30-year-old female passenger was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Another motorcyclist in a 2006 Harley Davidson who was behind the Honda also got run off the roadway as a result of the collision. That 52-year-old man also suffered serious injuries.
Motorcycle accidents are most commonly caused by drivers who are not paying attention to the roadway. In some cases, drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle. Some motorcycle accidents occur when another driver makes an unsafe lane change. Regardless of how the accident occurs, if a motorcyclist or passenger has been injured by a negligent driver, he or she has a right to claim compensation. Injured victims can file a personal injury claim seeking damages such as medical expenses and loss of wages. Families of deceased motorcycle accident victims can file an Oklahoma wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as funeral expenses and lost future income.
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Oklahoma City Greyhound Bus and Street Sweeper Accident Injures 15
Fifteen people were injured in an Oklahoma City car accident after a Greyhound bus collided with a street sweeper in the early morning on January 4, 2012. According to a news report in The Oklahoman, the injury collision occurred at Interstate 40 and Rockwell Avenue. Officials report that there were about 50 passengers on the bus. Troopers say the Greyhound bus was eastbound on the outside lane of the Interstate 40, but was attempting to change into the inside lane when it collided with the street sweeper.
According to the article, the bus driver did not see the street sweeper as she changed lanes. Thirteen people who were injured were treated and released from an area hospital. The bus driver suffered trunk and arm injuries. A 20-year-old bus passenger was hospitalized with a serious head injury. All of the injured victims are, thankfully, expected to survive.
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Oklahoma Car Accident Kills Two
An 80-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman from Osage County were killed in a car accident after their Dodge pickup was struck by a dump truck. According to a KJRH news report, the fatal Oklahoma truck accident occurred near the Lowe’s on Adams Boulevard in Bartlesville. Officials say the 80-year-old man was making a U-turn when a dump truck struck his pickup. The female passenger died at the scene of the crash and the male driver passed away that night. The driver of the dump truck was not injured and was not cited for the crash.
Under Oklahoma Law, drivers must only make a turn when and where it safe to do so. Under Oklahoma Statute 47-11-604: “No person shall turn a vehicle…unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway.” Drivers must not “move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.” Additionally, drivers are required to signal appropriately to alert other motorists before they make a turn.
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Avoiding Serious Personal Injuries This Holiday Season
The holidays are a joyous time of year when most of us get together with friends and family. However, this is also the time of year when it is tragically common for serious injury accidents to occur on our roadways. Negligent drivers and those who operate under the influence of alcohol put everyone on the roadway at risk. If you are traveling this holiday season, please drive safely.
First and foremost, please do not drink and drive this holiday season. If you do consume alcohol during a party or get together, assign a designated driver or take a cab home. Driving under the influence is not only illegal, but by doing so, drivers put themselves and others on the roadway in grave danger.
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Tips to Deal with Insurance Companies after an Oklahoma Car Accident
If you have been injured in an Oklahoma car accident, you probably know that dealing with insurance companies can be an added headache. Many valid claims are denied because of mistakes made during the claims process. Here are a few tips to help you avoid the pitfalls of dealing with an insurance company in the aftermath of an Oklahoma car accident.
Before calling the insurance company of the at-fault driver, you should collect all of the information you need. Write out clear and concise notes about where, when, and how the accident occurred. You should have contact information from anyone who may have witnessed the accident, as well as your own insurance information. Having notes with you will help you convey the information clearly and coherently.
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Four Injured in Oklahoma DUI Accident
A 7-month old baby was among the injured victims of an Oklahoma car accident, which police report involved a drunk driver. According to a news report in The Tulsa World, the DUI collision occurred on Oklahoma 72 north of Checotah in McIntosh County. Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports that a 57-year-old man turned his 1989 Dodge pickup left in front of a 1996 Mercury Marquis carrying a 49-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman, and a 7-month-old child. The driver of the Marquis suffered severe injuries. The other occupants were treated and released from the hospital. Officials say the driver of the Dodge, who was also injured, may have been under the influence of alcohol.
It is illegal under Oklahoma law to operate with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. It is illegal for anyone 21 years of age or older to driver a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The state has a “zero tolerance policy” when it comes to underage drivers, which means that they can face charges even if trace amounts of alcohol are found in their blood. It is also illegal under Oklahoma law when a driver fails to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle.
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Oklahoma Department of Transportation Worker Killed in Accident
A 42-year-old male U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) worker was killed in an Oklahoma car accident after a vehicle veered into a construction zone and struck him. According to an Associated Press news report, the fatal accident occurred along U.S. Highway 75 in Ramona. Officials say the worker was standing on the centerline in a construction zone when a vehicle driven by a Skiatook resident veered left and struck him. The DOT employee sustained massive injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the vehicle was treated for head injuries. It is not clear if the motorist will be cited for the fatal crash.
Depending upon the circumstances of the accident, financial compensation may be available for the deceased victim’s family through workers’ compensation benefits. In cases where a party other than the employer is at fault, the family can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party seeking compensation as well.
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How to Keep Children Safe from Dog Attacks
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.5 million Americans are bitten by a dog each year. Of those incidents, one in five requires medical attention. There are steps you can take to help decrease the chances of you and your loved ones being victim to one of these devastating accidents.
Children are at the greatest risk of suffering a serious injury in a dog attack. The CDC reports that the rate of dog bite–related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years old, and children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for dog bites. Children need to be taught early and often that not all dogs are safe, and that they should not approach dogs they do not know without parental supervision.
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Truck Accidents Caused by Fatigued Drivers
A survey conducted recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that drowsy or fatigued driving is often as dangerous as drunk driving. Fatigued drivers are prone to losing focus or falling asleep behind the wheel. This type of negligent driving is particularly dangerous when large trucks are involved. To help prevent truck drivers from operating big rigs while drowsy, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces strict truck regulations on the number of hours truck drivers can work without a break or rest.
Drivers of property-carrying vehicles are regulated under 395.3, which states: “No motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle, nor shall any such driver drive a property-carrying commercial motor vehicle: (1) More than 11 cumulative hours following 10 consecutive hours off-duty; (2) For any period after the end of the 14th hour after coming on duty following 10 consecutive hours off duty.” Additionally, drivers are not allowed to be on duty 60 hours in any period of seven consecutive days or 70 hours within a period of eight consecutive days.
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