Most people are well aware that driving while distracted is risky. However, that knowledge still doesn’t entirely stop the behavior, as more and more people lose their lives every day due to distracted driving. Though these incidents typically involve two vehicles, one recent crash took the life of a man who was mowing his front lawn. Oklahoma police say that the truck accident may have been caused by a distracted driver.
Authorities say that the accident happened in a suburban neighborhood on a recent weekend. A man had just begun mowing his lawn near his driveway. A box truck passing through the area allegedly ran off the road, hit a mailbox and hit the man in his front yard. The truck finally stopped after crashing into a neighbor’s house. First responders found the man pinned beneath the truck and were unable to save him.
Police reviewed footage from a nearby home, presumably on its security camera. They say that they are considering filing criminal charges against the driver of the truck. He was taken to a nearby hospital, but has since been released after having his blood tested. Though officers won’t say what led them to this conclusion, they believe that the truck driver was distracted at the time of the crash. His identity has not yet been released by authorities.
No matter the outcome of any criminal charges, the family of the man who died may have other legal options available to them. Wrongful death litigation could be used to hold the truck driver, his company and any other entity deemed responsible at fault for this truck accident. A successful claim may result in a judgment for monetary damages that could be useful in covering any related costs the family may have encountered since this tragedy. For those here in Oklahoma in a similar situation, they may want to talk with an attorney with experience in handling these types of claims to determine whether such an option is right for them.
