Vehicle Accident Attorney Oklahoma
It seems like we can’t go a day without hearing about the dangers of cellphone use, and for good reason. It’s estimated that over 2.6 million people are involved in car accidents worldwide as a result of distracted driving every year.
Although we often hear about people causing auto accidents while using their cell phones, there are several other distractions that continually lead to crashes here in Oklahoma.
Banning Cellphones Helps, But Other Distractions Continue
Studies have found that drivers who use handheld phones are four times more likely to crash than those who do not use handheld phones. Due to the alarming increase in accidents caused by cellphone use, states initiated bans on the use of handheld devices while behind the wheel. Oklahoma became the 46th state to do so, enacting the Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch Act of 2015.
Supporters of these bans argue that they are necessary to prevent accidents. Others argue that these bans could lead to more accidents because people will turn to other forms of distraction when they cannot use their smartphones.
Unfortunately, we are finding that distracted drivers continue to be a leading cause of crashes in Oklahoma, even without using cellphones.
Other Types of Driving Distractions
In addition to cellphone use, there are several other types of distractions that continue to cause injury accidents across our state. Some leading distractions include:
Eating and Drinking: According to the National Safety Council survey, nearly two-thirds of drivers admitted to eating or drinking while driving in the past month. This is a huge distraction because you need both hands on the wheel to drive safely. Not only do these activities prevent you from focusing on the road, but they also increase your risk of getting into an accident.
Changing the Radio: Changing the radio can cause a driver to take their attention off the roadway. As a result, they can miss stopped or slow traffic ahead. Drivers who look down from the road to change their radio are one of the leading causes of distracted-driving crashes in Oklahoma.
Talking with Passengers: One of the biggest distractions drivers face on the road is passengers. Unfortunately, this can be a major cause of crashes. When drivers engage in conversations with other people inside of their vehicles, they are likely to take their attention off the road ahead.
Checking out Maps and GPS Systems: Distractions can come from anything from looking at a navigation device while driving to changing the GPS. Looking at maps can also be a distraction, especially for drivers who are not familiar with the area they are traveling through. All of these activities can lead to an accident.
Rubbernecking: The urge to get a closer look at something dangerous or exciting can be dangerous in and of itself. When drivers are paying attention to other vehicles’ crashes, objects, or distractions outside of their vehicle, they can cause serious collisions with other vehicles.
A car accident lawyer Tulsa can help you protect your legal rights should you be harmed in a crash caused by a distracted driver.
Contact Our Team Today
If you are ever in a car accident caused by a distracted driver, it is important to know your rights. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries, and you may be able to file a claim against the distracted driver’s insurance company. If you have been injured in a car crash caused by a distraction, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in Tulsa as soon as possible.
If you need guidance from a skilled accident attorney, Oklahoma lawyers at Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC can help you explore the legal options that may be available to help you move forward.
Our team has more than 150 years of combined experience representing victims who have been injured in accidents in Tulsa and across the state of Oklahoma. We have helped clients recover more than $500 million for their lawsuits by providing them with trusted and skilled legal representation. Feel free to schedule a free consultation at your earliest convenience with our Tulsa car accident attorney to discuss your accident and get justice.