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Tulsa Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
Were you injured in a car accident in Tulsa caused by a driver who was texting, talking on the phone, eating, grooming, or otherwise distracted while driving? If so, you can seek to hold them accountable for the harm you have suffered and the losses you have incurred through no fault of your own.
To protect your rights and best interests, call on the skilled Tulsa distracted driving accident lawyers at Edwards & Patterson Law. We are dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable and fighting for just compensation for our clients. To speak with an experienced Tulsa distracted driving accident lawyer, contact us today. We can review your case in a free consultation.
What Are Some Distracted Driving Statistics?
How often does distracted driving play a role in car accidents? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can give you a snapshot. The agency reports that more than 320,000 people suffered injuries and more than 3,000 died in crashes in one recent year. Six percent of the drivers involved in fatal crashes that year were reportedly distracted. Drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 had the most significant number of drivers involved in fatal distracted driving accidents.
What Is the Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch Act?
The Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch Act make it unlawful for anyone operating a moving motor vehicle on a highway or street in Oklahoma to manually send, read, or compose an electronic message with a hand-held electronic communication device. The law was passed in honor of Nicholas Dees, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper who died in a distracted driving accident in 2015.
Dees and another trooper, Keith Burch, were investigating a semi-truck crash on Interstate 40 near Shawnee, OK, when a motorist drove around the patrol cars before striking both troopers, seriously injuring Burch and killing Dees. According to reports, the man did not follow state law requiring motorists to move over for vehicles with flashing lights, and he picked up his phone 189 times during his drive from Arkansas to text, use the internet, and use social media. He reportedly crashed into the troopers while picking up his phone.
How To Establish Liability in a Distracted Driving Accident?
All motorists must obey traffic laws and drive carefully to avoid injuring other road users. A motorist who fails on either count, putting others at risk, could be considered negligent. Distracted driving could be proof of negligence because it involves a driver taking their focus off the road, increasing the chances of an accident. You could hold the driver accountable if their actions caused a crash, and you were injured as a result.
If a driver breaks the law and causes a crash, the driver could be found negligent per se. Because the driver broke the law, the violation can be sufficient evidence to prove negligence and hold them responsible for the accident. If a driver texts while behind the wheel, which is against the law in Oklahoma, and they cause a wreck, they could be automatically at fault under negligence per se because they broke the law.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
You might be able to pursue compensation through a lawsuit or insurance claim if a distracted driver injures you in Tulsa or elsewhere in Oklahoma. You could be compensated for the following:
- Mental anguish
- Ambulance services, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and other medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing My Tulsa Distracted Driving Accident Lawsuit?
Yes, there is. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of injury to file a distracted driving accident lawsuit against another party. If you miss the two-year deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you could lose your right to seek compensation.
What Should I Do After Being Involved in a Distracted Driving Crash?
Starting to build a case against the distracted driver immediately after a crash is crucial. You must take the necessary steps to protect your rights and gather valuable evidence to prove fault. Here is what you should do after a distracted driving accident in Tulsa:
- Seek medical treatment immediately — You should go to the hospital from the accident scene or see your doctor immediately after a crash. Keep any follow-up appointments with your doctor and follow their care plan.
- Keep a copy of every document related to the crash — The more evidence you have, the better chance of proving the other driver injured you. Keep copies of all medical bills, doctor’s reports, imaging tests, and other documentation during your ongoing case.
- Hire a distracted driving accident lawyer — You must not hesitate to seek legal representation after a distracted driving collision. An attorney can investigate the accident to determine who is liable and hold them accountable.
When you hire an attorney with Edwards & Patterson Law, we can handle every aspect of your case and help you by:
- Investigating the accident and gathering evidence to prove liability for your injuries.
- Identifying all possible sources of compensation, including insurance policies, to help you seek maximum compensation.
- Helping you to obtain the medical care you need to treat your injury.
- Communicating with you about the status of your case so that you’re always aware of what’s happening.
- Consulting financial and medical experts to calculate the value of your financial losses and your pain and suffering.
- Aggressively negotiating a settlement with the insurance company.
- Taking your case to trial if the insurer denies your claim or offers an inadequate settlement.
Contact a Tulsa Distracted Driving Lawyer
The attorneys at Edwards & Patterson Law have the skills and resources to help you seek justice if a distracted driver has injured you in Tulsa. We care about your future. Contact us today for a free consultation. Contact our Tulsa personal injury attorney today.
