Our readers in Oklahoma can likely identify some of the tell-tale signs of a distracted driver on the roads: a sudden jerk on the steering wheel to get back in the right lane; driving slower than the speed limit; and even seeing the drivers in their own rearview mirrors staring down at their phones instead of looking straight ahead at the road. There is no doubt about it – distracted driving is prevalent all across the country.
And, with the prevalence of distracted driving, along comes the deadly impact of this conduct. A recent report noted that over 300 million Americans have cellphones and, at any given time during the day, an estimated 800,000 people are using their cellphones while driving. That is 800,000 chances that a deadly car accident might occur.
In fact, the recent report also noted that in one year alone – 2016 – almost 3,500 people were killed in car accidents in America that were attributable to distracted driving. When people are on their cellphones when they are driving instead of concentrating on the road and the vehicles around them, the opportunity for tragedy to strike is very real.
When Oklahoma residents are injured in car accidents, they may have the opportunity to pursue legal remedies that may lead to an award of financial compensation. These injured victims usually have mounting medical bills to address, along with other expenses that are sudden and unplanned for due to the car accident. Getting the right information about how to attempt to hold distracted drivers accountable for their negligent conduct is crucial.
