Drunk Driving Accidents
According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), engaging in visual-manual tasks such as dialing or texting that are associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increases the risk of getting into a crash by three times. VTTI also states that a driver who is texting has his or her eyes off the road for an average of five seconds — enough time for a car traveling at 55 mph to cover 100 yards.
Distracted driving caused car accidents long before cellphones existed, but the rate of accidents caused by drivers' attention being diverted away from the road and the other vehicles around them has increased exponentially since cellphones and other hand-held devices became a staple of everyday life.
Oklahoma lawmakers continue to debate bills that would specifically ban texting while driving. Currently, Oklahoma law enforcement officers can stop any driver who operates a motor vehicle "in such a manner that poses an articulable danger."
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in an accident that was caused by a distracted driver, you should not have to suffer the financial consequences as well as the physical ones. You may be able to recover the full amount of your medical bills, property loss, lost wages and any long-term rehabilitative costs, as well as compensation for pain and suffering or loss of quality of life.
Experienced Distracted Driving Accident AttorneyAt Hawkins Law Firm in Tulsa, attorney Phillip C. Hawkins represents victims of distracted driving accidents and other incidents in which individuals are seriously injured or killed through no fault of their own. Mr. Hawkins has practiced law since 1992, including a stint early in his career representing insurance companies in personal injury lawsuits. That experience working for the "other side" in personal injury cases provides him valuable insight into the tactics that insurance providers use in attempt to deny or underpay injured parties.
Talking with passengers and adjusting the radio are among the more common causes of distracted driving accidents. Others include:
- Reading or viewing navigation systems
- Assisting small children
- Grooming
- Texting while driving
- Talking on a cellphone
- Eating or drinking
We welcome the opportunity to review the facts of your case during a free, no-obligation consultation and recommend the best course of action. Put a personal injury lawyer with experience on both sides of these cases in your corner.
We represent clients throughout northeast Oklahoma. You will only pay an attorney fee if we obtain a financial recovery for you, either through a settlement or a court judgment. Call (918) 583-6007 or use our contact form to schedule a consultation.