Tulsa Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer

Tulsa Distracted Driving Accident Attorney

Car accidents happen every day in the Tulsa area from a wide range of causes. It’s possible for accidents to happen because of negligence, or failure to exercise reasonable care in specific situations; it is also possible for accidents to happen because of intentional and illegal misconduct. In Oklahoma and throughout the United States, one of the most pervasive causes of traffic accidents is distracted driving. Unfortunately, not all drivers maintain full attention to operating their vehicles at all times, causing serious accidents that are entirely preventable.

Experienced Legal Counsel for Distracted Driving Accidents in Tulsa, OK

If you or a member of your family recently suffered injuries and economic harm in an accident that a distracted driver caused, you are likely to have lots of legal questions in terms of how you can prove fault for the incident and how much compensation you could reasonably expect. 222 Injury Lawyers has a team of experienced legal professionals who can give you the guidance and support you need in this situation. Our team has helped many past clients recover from distracted driving accidents and other car accidents in the Tulsa area, and we’re ready to leverage this professional experience on your behalf.

Understanding the Risks of Distracted Driving

The term “distracted driving” quite broadly defines any instance in which a driver is not paying full attention when operating their vehicle. It’s possible for their hands to be distracted by operating their stereo or car climate controls, their eyes could be distracted by things outside of the vehicle or by a cell phone screen, and it’s possible for distracted attention to cause an accident, even if the driver is looking at the road ahead. Ultimately, any type of distraction while driving is dangerous, especially texting while driving.

Texting while driving is commonly cited as the most dangerous form of distracted driving because it takes the driver’s hands, eyes, and attention away from operating their vehicle all at once. Whenever a driver is not paying attention to the road, they are essentially driving blind, especially when they are moving at higher speeds. A few seconds of inattention can equate to driving hundreds of feet without looking, and a lot can happen in this seemingly short span.

Proving Liability for a Distracted Driving Accident in Tulsa

If you intend to file a claim against another driver for causing a distracted driving accident in Tulsa, it is first necessary to prove they were actually distracted while driving. Oklahoma upholds the fault rule for resolving vehicle accidents, which means that a driver must prove fault for their recent accident before they can recover any compensation for the damages they suffered.

Distracted driving is a form of “negligence,” a term used to describe any failure to act with reasonable care in a specific situation. When negligence causes a personal injury, the victim must identify the negligent party, prove they owed some duty of care they failed to fulfill, and then they must prove that this breach of duty directly caused the accident. Your Tulsa distracted driving accident attorney can assist you in building the foundation of your case, gathering the evidence needed to prove the other driver was distracted when they caused your accident.

Recovering From Your Distracted Driving Accident in Tulsa

It’s natural to have lots of pressing legal questions in the immediate aftermath of any accident. It’s vital to seek medical care as soon as possible and to consult an attorney before you file your claim against the other driver’s auto insurance. While you should report the accident and notify the insurer of your intent to file a claim as soon as possible, you should wait to actually file the claim until you have legal counsel on your side.

Your Tulsa distracted driving accident attorney can represent you before an insurance company, helping you draft your initial demand letter for compensation and resolving any disputes that arise with your claim. Once you recover as much compensation as possible through the insurance claim filing process, you can proceed with filing a personal injury claim if you have outstanding damages.

Under Oklahoma’s personal injury laws, the plaintiff in a personal injury case has the right to seek full compensation for any economic damages they suffered due to the defendant’s actions, including:

• Medical expenses. The defendant is liable for any medical expenses you face in the aftermath of your accident. You can hold them accountable for immediate healthcare costs like your hospital bills as well as the cost of future medical treatments you may require to reach maximum improvement from your injuries.
• Lost wages. If you are unable to work due to your injuries, the defendant is also liable for the income you are unable to earn because of their actions. This applies to future income as well if you have been permanently disabled from your injuries and will not be able to return to work in the future.
• Property damage. An insurance claim may allow you to recover compensation for all of the costs to repair your vehicle; however, if your property losses can’t be fully recovered through insurance, you can add the remainder of these losses to your personal injury claim.

After accurately calculating the full extent of your economic damages, you can also claim compensation for the pain and suffering you experienced. There is no limit to the amount you can claim for a vehicle accident under the state’s personal injury laws. If you suffered any serious injuries resulting in permanent harm, your pain and suffering compensation could overshadow the total of your economic losses.

222 Injury Lawyers approaches every case we accept with the goal of helping our client recover as fully as possible as quickly as possible. You could face legal confrontations with large insurance carriers, and you need an attorney willing to stand up for the little guy in this situation. Our firm has helped many past clients secure maximum claim payouts from their auto insurance claims, and if insurance alone cannot repay the full amount of your losses, you can rely on us to help file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

FAQs About Tulsa, OK Distracted Driving Accident Law

What Is the Inattentive Driving Law?

Oklahoma law requires every driver to devote their full attention to the safe operation of their vehicle while driving. However, a police officer can only cite a driver for inattentive driving if the driver causes an accident from inattention. If a driver causes a distracted driving accident in Tulsa, they are likely to face liability for any damages they cause, along with a fine for violating the Inattentive Driving Law.

Is it Illegal to Talk on the Phone and Drive?

The law does not specifically ban the use of cell phones while driving. However, the state has outlawed texting while driving, and the Inattentive Driving Law requires a driver to devote their full attention to operating their vehicle. Although it may not be technically illegal for a driver to talk on the phone while driving, it is always wise for a driver to avoid using their phone while driving to limit their risk of causing an accident.

How Do You Prove Another Driver Was Distracted in Tulsa?

Your Tulsa distracted driving accident attorney can help prove fault for a recent accident with various forms of evidence. They may identify witnesses who saw the accident happen and others involved in the crash to provide statements, gather digital evidence like phone records and vehicle computer data, and consult expert witnesses who can clarify the most complex aspects of a car accident case with their professional insights.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From a Distracted Driving Accident in Tulsa?

The legal proceedings that usually follow a distracted driving accident in Tulsa typically begin with a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance, followed by a personal injury claim if insurance can’t fully cover the victim’s damages. Your Tulsa distracted driving accident attorney can streamline this process, and they can likely provide an estimate of the timeframe in which you can expect to fully recover your damages.

How Much Does a Tulsa Distracted Driving Accident Attorney Charge for Representation?

There is no need to worry about attorneys’ fees when you choose 222 Injury Lawyers to represent you because we only get paid if you do. We take civil cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning our client only pays a percentage of their final case award as their fee if and when we win their case. If our team is unsuccessful in securing compensation on your behalf for any reason, there is no fee at all.

222 Injury Lawyers has years of professional experience handling a wide range of vehicle accident claims for clients in the Tulsa area, including those pertaining to distracted driving. We know the many legal questions that you are likely to have in the aftermath of this type of accident, and we know how to help you prepare for the legal challenges ahead of you. If you are ready to learn how an experienced Tulsa distracted driving accident attorney can help you recover from your recent accident, contact us today and schedule a free consult with our legal team.