Oklahoma City Distracted Driving Accident Lawyers

Most people in Oklahoma know that you can cause an auto accident if you drive while distracted. A recent national survey revealed that people actually view distracted driving as being more dangerous than drunk driving. Still, even though people see distracted driving as a problem, they still do it. In fact, one study found that driver distraction could contribute to as much as 58 percent of all crashes in our country.

We have handled many car accident cases in Oklahoma over the years that involved distracted drivers. Our legal team at Cain Law knows how to thoroughly investigate these cases and pursue the compensation that victims and their families deserve. If you believe that a distracted driver harmed you or a loved one in Oklahoma City, Edmond, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, we will put our rapid-response investigation team on your case right away.

If you are in need of an Oklahoma distracted driver accident lawyer, call or reach us online today. We are available 24/7 to take your call. We can meet you at our office, your home, the hospital, or wherever else is most convenient for you.

How Cain Law Helps After a Distracted Driving Accident in Oklahoma City

With more than a century of combined personal injury law experience, our legal team proudly serves injured victims throughout Oklahoma. Clients rely on our thorough, relentless representation in state and federal courts. Insurance companies recognize our dedication to pursuing full and fair compensation for those we represent. We are available to take client calls 24/7 and are happy to conduct your initial consultation wherever is most convenient for you, whether at home, in the hospital, or elsewhere.
Across Oklahoma, we have successfully recovered more than $250 million for people injured in motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury incidents, with such notable results as the following:

• $3.7 million settlement for a wrongful death involving a semi crash
• $1.7 million settlement for a mild TBI involving a commercial motor vehicle
• $1.25 million settlement in a contested wrongful death claim from a rollover crash
• $1 million+ for a car wreck resulting in a low back surgery

While every case is different and we cannot guarantee a specific outcome for you, we believe these results reflect our hard work and attention to detail. As one satisfied client said in one of our many 5-star reviews:

“This firm is nothing short of amazing. Throughout the entire legal process, I felt informed and up to date on everything going on. They were extremely straightforward and honest, and for that I am appreciative. Highly recommend this firm for your car accident needs.”
– Natalie R., via Google

When you hire an Oklahoma City distracted driving attorney at Cain Law, our team handles all legal matters so you can focus entirely on your recovery. We do all of the following:

• Thoroughly investigate the collision to gather crucial evidence demonstrating liability
• Coordinate directly with your healthcare providers to assess the full extent of your ongoing medical needs
• Collaborate with financial and vocational specialists to accurately project the long-term impact of your injuries
• Skillfully and aggressively negotiate with insurance carriers for a full and fair settlement
• Take your case to court if insurers refuse to present a reasonable settlement offer
• Provide representation with no upfront or out-of-pocket fees; you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you

Contact us today for your free case review.

Common Causes of Distracted Driving in Oklahoma City

Negligence occurs when people fail to exercise reasonable care in their choices and actions. Distracted driving is a perfect example of it.

Common examples of distracted driving include:

Distracted Driving Accident Statistics

Data shows that people realize that distracted driving is an unreasonable, dangerous behavior. For instance, 87.5 percent of the drivers who participated in a recent AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety survey said they viewed distracted driving as being “a bigger problem today than in past years.” Only 43.4 percent said they felt the same way about drunk driving.

Sadly, drivers’ actions do not reflect their attitudes. In the same AAA survey, only 13.5 percent of drivers admitted to driving at least once in the prior year after they had too much to drink. In other words, they saw the risk of drunk driving, and they avoided it. They didn’t do the same with distracted driving. Almost half of the drivers – 44.9 percent – admitted they read a text or e-mail while driving in the prior year. Roughly one third – 34.6 percent – admitted that they typed or texted an e-mail while driving.

A few years ago, University of Iowa researchers used in-vehicle cameras to study drivers between the ages of 16-19. They found that driver distraction contributed to 58 percent of crashes. That figure was much higher than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s estimate of 14 percent. In 12 percent of the crashes, the driver was engaged in cell phone use.

Oklahoma Distracted Driving Accident Statistics

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that, in 2016 alone in our state, distracted driving, which involved the use of electronic devices and other distractions, caused:

• 8,390 total crashes (compared to 3,356 crashes involving alcohol use)
• 3,152 injury crashes (compared to 835 involving alcohol use)
• 34 fatal crashes (fewer than the 173 that involved drunk driving).

Oklahoma law bans texting while driving for all drivers. It also prohibits public transit and commercial drivers from using hand-held phones when they are behind the wheel. Additionally, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration bars commercial drivers from texting and using hand-held phones. Still, as one survey found, only 39 percent of drivers actually see laws as an incentive to put down their phones when they drive.

Even though you may see the danger in distracted driving and avoid that type of careless and reckless behavior, you cannot control what others do. If you were recently involved in a car accident in Oklahoma, the other driver’s distraction may have played a role. At Cain Law, we’ll find out for you.

How Does Distracted Driving Cause Car Accidents in Oklahoma City?

If you are going 55 mph in your car, all it takes is two seconds to travel roughly the length of two basketball courts, according to Zendrive. If you take your eyes off the road for those two seconds – for instance, you glance down at your phone, or you turn to talk to someone in the backseat – Zendrive reports that you increase your crash risk by more than 20 times. But visual distraction is just part of the problem.

Distracted driving is dangerous because it takes your mind off safe driving. Often, it involves physical distraction as well. For example, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that teen drivers were eight times more likely to get into a wreck if they dialed a phone. They were seven to eight times more likely to crash if they simply reached for their phone.

Researchers from Car and Driver magazine actually conducted a test that revealed that sending a text was even more dangerous than driving while legally impaired (with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher).  In the test, drivers needed just 0.54 seconds to brake when unimpaired. They needed an additional four feet of distance to brake when impaired, and another 70 feet of distance if they were sending a text.

The bottom line: If you don’t have your hands on the wheel, your eyes on the road, and your mind on driving safely, you put yourself and everyone at risk. You are negligent. If you cause an accident that hurts others, you should be held accountable for it.

What Can You Do in Oklahoma City If a Distracted Driver Hurts You?

If a distracted driver caused a crash that injured you or caused the loss of a loved one in Oklahoma, you have the right to pursue full compensation for your losses. Cain Law will guide you through the process. We will aggressively pursue the medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and all other damages that you deserve.

Our founding Oklahoma City car accident attorney, Monty L. Cain, has protected the rights of car accident victims and their families in Oklahoma for more than 25 years. He has earned a spot in the National Association of Top 100 Trial Lawyers and in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Our hand-picked team of attorneys knows how to investigate your case by looking at evidence such as:

• Skid marks (if there are none, it may show the driver was too distracted to brake or try to avoid the crash)
• Cell phone records (which can reveal what the driver was doing in the seconds just before or at the time of impact)
• Social media activity (many people today send Facebook messages or post comments while driving)
• Witness statements (people may have seen what the driver was doing)
• Black box data (again, showing no braking or change in speed because the driver may have been looking at a phone instead of trying to avoid a crash).

We will prepare your case for success at trial. We will use that preparation as leverage when we pursue a settlement with the distracted driver or any other party who may be liable for your damages (such as the driver’s employer). If necessary, we will be ready to fight for you in court. Throughout your case, we will keep you updated, answer your questions and help with any other matter such as dealing with medical bill collectors.

Our Oklahoma City Distracted Driving Accident Attorneys Are Here for You

We refuse to tolerate distracted driving at Cain Law. You don’t have to tolerate it, either. If a distracted driver hurt you or a loved one, contact our office in Oklahoma City or Edmond for an immediate, free consultation. We won’t charge you anything unless we secure compensation for you. Call or reach us online today to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do You Have to File a Distracted Driving Accident Claim in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, you have two years from the date of a distracted-driving accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. This deadline is strict: if you miss it, the court can dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to recover compensation, no matter how strong your case is. Because building a solid negligence claim takes time, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Can You Recover Compensation if You Were Partly at Fault for the Crash?

Yes. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows people injured in an accident to seek compensation even if they were partly at fault. Any compensation is reduced according to their share of fault. For example, if you’re found 20 percent at fault in a case worth $100,000, you can recover only $80,000. However, if your fault exceeds 50 percent, you can’t recover any compensation at all.

Does a Texting Ticket Automatically Prove the Other Driver Was Liable?

No. You still have to prove that texting directly caused the crash and your injuries. However, the ticket is strong evidence of the driver’s negligence because it shows they violated a safety law. To strengthen your case beyond the traffic citation, your personal injury attorney can gather the following additional documentation and evidence to help prove distraction:

• The police report
• Cell phone records
• Witness statements
• Video footage of the distracted driving crash
• Vehicle data

Can a Passenger Injured by a Distracted Driver File a Claim?

Yes. Passengers have the same rights as drivers to seek compensation for their losses. In fact, pursuing compensation in Oklahoma is often more straightforward for passengers than for drivers, as they are seldom responsible for car accidents. In some multi-vehicle accidents, passengers may even file a personal injury claim against all drivers found at fault.