About 10 percent of OK crashes involve a distracted driver
Oklahoma is taking a strong stance on road safety by addressing a major cause of distracted driving: cell phones. The state is proposing an upgrade to Senate Bill 1347, making it illegal for drivers to hold their phones while operating a vehicle. This enhancement aims to extend beyond the current laws against texting or calling while driving, signaling a more comprehensive effort to ensure safer roads for all.
Cell phones are not the only type of distraction that can result in an accident, of course. However, the technology is among the most frequently cited in accidents due to driver inattention. Distracted driving, like texting, changing music, or eating, is dangerous because it reduces awareness and reaction times, leading to a higher risk for collisions. Texting is especially hazardous because it distracts the driver visually, manually, and mentally.
At Lawter & Associates, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, we support measures that reduce distracted driving accidents. Our concern stems from our professional commitment and our sincere desire for safer roads for everyone. Through our experience fighting for injured victims' rights, we know the toll this type of accident takes on individuals and families. Here's what you need to know about distracted driving in Oklahoma and the proposed legislation.
Common types of distracted driving accidents
There is no end to how someone can be distracted behind the wheel. Even momentary distractions can result in serious, sometimes tragic, accidents on the road. The average time a driver takes their eyes off the road to send or receive a text is 3-5 seconds. If a driver is traveling 55 mph when they start texting, their vehicle travels the length of a football field, from endzone to endzone, without them ever looking up!
Common types of distracted driving accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions while stopped at a red light or stop sign.
- Side-swipe accidents from drifting into adjacent lanes.
- Intersection collisions from failing to yield or misjudging traffic signals.
- Run-off-road accidents resulting from overcorrecting or veering off the road.
- Pedestrian or cyclist accidents caused by not noticing individuals in crosswalks or bike lanes.
- Collisions with stationary objects such as poles, barriers, or parked vehicles.
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups on highways caused by a distracted driver initiating a chain reaction of collisions.
As the bill's amendment undergoes further review in committee, safety advocates hope for its passage. In Oklahoma, about 10 percent of car accidents involve inattentive drivers. That means many distracted driving accident victims are seeking justice and compensation for their injuries. That's where a lawyer comes in.
How a distracted driving accident lawyer can help
Proving fault in a distracted driving accident can be challenging, but an experienced lawyer can help victims overcome obstacles like:
- Distractions often leave little physical evidence, making it difficult to establish what caused the accident definitively.
- Proving the driver was distracted at the exact moment of the crash may require witness testimony or cell phone records.
- It's common for drivers to deny being distracted.
A car accident lawyer experienced in distracted driving cases can address these challenges by collecting witness statements, obtaining video footage (if available), and acquiring cell phone records. They can leverage their knowledge of traffic laws and investigation techniques to demonstrate negligence. Then, they can build a compelling case for maximum compensation.
Contact us today to review your legal options
If you or a loved one has been injured in a distracted driving accident in Oklahoma, our attorneys are here to help. With offices in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is here to provide compassionate support and relentlessly pursue the best possible resolution for your injury claim or lawsuit. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.