If you are involved in a car wreck in Oklahoma, the at-fault driver will be responsible for paying the damages. This is why state law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance on their vehicles. It is also why it is so important to determine fault as early as possible. At Cain Law Office, we have decades of experience with helping injured Oklahoma residents to recover compensation after car crashes, and we can start an investigation of your crash right away.
Negligent drivers can cause a collision in many different ways. Still, there are certainly a few causes of vehicle accidents in Oklahoma that we tend to see more often than others. These causes include:
- Distracted driving. While texting and driving might be illegal, people do it all of the time in Oklahoma. Cell phones are not the only distractions. People can be distracted by passengers, eating, operating radio dials or even by playing with their GPS.
- Speeding and aggressive driving. When a driver operates at a high rate of speed and in ways that are not safe for the road or traffic conditions, it can be a strong indicator of negligence.
- Drunk driving (and drug-impaired driving). Alcohol is still a leading cause of highway fatalities and injuries. Increasingly, we are seeing people operate motor vehicles while under the influence of illegal and prescription drugs.
- Fatigued driving. Falling asleep at the wheel is extremely dangerous. It indicates that the driver failed to use ordinary care and good judgment in operating the vehicle. Driver fatigue commonly causes serious trucking accidents as well.
- Inexperienced driving. Beginning drivers are often prone to taking chances, engaging in risky behavior such as texting while driving or failing to recognize their own limitations. This inexperience can lead to needless accidents.
- Mechanical defects. Not all causes of traffic accidents involve negligent drivers. Sometimes, a poorly manufactured or maintained vehicle can result in crashes. Common examples are brake failure, tire blowouts, faulty power steering or lack of working lights and signals. In some cases, a manufacturer may have built a vehicle with a defect that leaves it more prone to rollovers. A car’s airbag may also fail to properly deploy, which can cause serious car accident injuries as well.
- Defective road conditions. Local, state and federal agencies may design or fail to properly maintain streets and highways. They deserve to be held accountable if their negligence causes a crash.
- Tailgating. People who follow too closely behind other vehicles don’t allow themselves enough time to stop their car. Tailgating is a common cause of rear-end car accidents.
How We Investigate Car Accident Cases in Oklahoma
After you contact Cain Law Office, our team will rush to action and gather important information to prepare your case. In the course of our rapid-response investigation, may collect evidence that includes:
- Photographs of the accident scene. Our firm will use investigators inspect and document the scene, or an attorney may even visit the site of the crash to get a better understanding of how it happened.
- Witness interviews. We do not rely solely on an insurance company’s selective investigation into the facts. We often interview witnesses to get their first-hand accounts of what happened.
- Vehicle inspections. If there is a potential flaw or defect, we may consult with engineering experts to inspect and evaluate the damage to determine if a manufacturing defect is to blame.
- Black box data. Many newer vehicles are equipped with electronic data recorders, which are also known as “black boxes.” These devices record crucial evidence about the moments leading up to a crash event, including the driver’s speed and braking.
- Cell phone records. In a case involving a likely texting accident, it may be necessary to use subpoenas to obtain cell phone logs and other records in order to demonstrate that the other driver was on the phone at the time of the crash.
- Chemical testing results. If the other driver was arrested for DUI or DWI, we may need to obtain breathalyzer and blood test results as well as 911 recordings. We may even get body and dash cam videos from the police, showing the intoxicated driver’s condition during a traffic stop and field sobriety test.
- Surveillance camera footage. It is rare to get good video footage of a crash. Still, sometimes, private businesses or even traffic cameras pick up bits and pieces that can be useful when it comes to proving who was at fault for an accident.
Ultimately, the more evidence we can unearth during our investigation, the easier it will be for us to determine why an accident happened and who should be held responsible for it. Our goal is to gain leverage in your favor and demonstrate to the insurance company that if it refuses make a fair settlement offer, we will be ready to take a strong case to trial. By doing this, we are often able to get far better settlements for our clients than they would receive if they tried to handle their auto accident claim on their own.
