Oklahoma City Injury Law Blog

Are crashes a leading cause of death in America?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in auto accident injuries on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Auto accidents are among the leading cause of death in the United States, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The reality is that there are millions of people who drive every day, and with so many people on the roads, there's a significant chance that you'll be involved in a car crash at one time or another in your life.

While many car crashes are minor, there are others that can cause severe injuries or even death. Motor vehicle accidents were among the leading 10 causes of death in 2015 and the six years prior, showing just how serious they can really be.

Full coverage insurance may not cover everything in an accident

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Tuesday, July 30, 2019.

If you get into an accident, you expect full coverage car insurance to help you cover the cost of damage and medical expenses. But what does full coverage actually mean?

Each different insurance company has a different definition of full coverage. A combination of comprehensive and collision coverage with a deductible is usually the minimum requirement to be full coverage. However, there are many extra types of coverage that full coverage may not include:

Rear-end crashes can be a result of distractions

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in rear-end collisions on Monday, July 22, 2019.

Rear-end collisions can be extremely devastating. They are often a result of the rear driver not paying attention or having a mechanical malfunction that results in a loss of their brakes.

Rear-end collisions, or collisions where you're hit from behind, are common when a rear vehicle is traveling too close to your own. If you have to stop suddenly, they may not have time to stop. This result in a crash.

Beat the heat with these tips for workers

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in Workers' Compensation on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.

Workers' compensation coverage helps protect people who get hurt on the job. It might be their own mistake that leads to an accident or a new worker who makes errors that cause a serious accident.

One of the things you have to be particularly careful of in the summer is the potential for heat-related illnesses on the job. In Oklahoma and other states that see extreme heat, it's essential for employers and their employees to be informed on how to stay safe in dangerous temperatures.

What are you options if you're hurt in an on-the-job car crash?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in on-the-job auto accident injuries on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.

When you have to drive as part of your job, one of the things that can happen is an auto accident. For the most part, people understand that the time they spend driving to work or to home is their own. If they are hurt, they don't file a claim with their employer. Instead, they file a claim with the other party's insurance carrier.

However, if you are hurt while driving for work, it's a completely different situation. In that case, you need to file a workers' compensation claim.

These 3 toxic chemicals are harming construction workers

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Friday, June 14, 2019.

Construction sites pose serious injuries. When working on a construction site, safety is a huge concern. There are many different safety issues to consider, including following safety rules and using equipment properly. Another safety issue not commonly thought of is environmental factors.

Environmental components, especially toxic chemicals, can cause serious internal and external damage to one’s body. This gradually decreases a person’s ability to perform daily functions. The three most common toxins on construction sites which have devastating health effects are lead, PVC and mercury.

What do you do if you have received a letter of denial?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in denied workers' comp benefits on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

When you got hurt at work, you were frustrated. You always followed the rules, but a new worker made a mistake that resulted in an accident. Now, you're faced with something even worse: the denial of your workers' compensation claim.

As someone who has been hurt on the job, it is your right to seek workers' compensation. Having that compensation denied is unexpected, but you do have the right to appeal.

Rear-end crashes can cause many serious types of injuries

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in rear-end collisions on Friday, May 31, 2019.

Rear-end collisions are usually unexpected, happening when you're slowing to a stop or even when you're parked. Another driver may not see that you're ahead of them, or they might fall asleep behind the wheel and hit your vehicle. In some cases, the drivers are texting and don't look up in time to stop.

In any rear-end crash, one of the greatest risks to you is the potential whiplash you could suffer. Whiplash is serious because it can badly damage your tendons and ligaments in your neck. There is swelling and a loss of function in some cases. Headaches are common with this injury, too.

Is your auto accident an on-the-job injury?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in on-the-job auto accident injuries on Friday, May 17, 2019.

When you're working a job that requires travel, there is always the possibility that you could be involved in an auto accident. On-the-job auto accidents are relatively common, affecting people as they travel to worksites or make deliveries.

It's important to know what constitutes an injury on or off the clock, so you know if you can be compensated through workers' compensation. There are a few situations that would qualify for compensation. They include:

Driving from your place of employment to a worksite or client's facility while on the clock
Driving while making deliveries for work
Driving to a required meeting while on the clock(with mileage and time paid by the employer)

Is my job protected while I am out on workers’ comp?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Friday, May 3, 2019.

Oil field workers, warehouse workers, construction workers, personal care assistants and a multitude of other professionals work strenuous jobs that have certain risks. Sometimes these jobs lead to injuries that require filing a workers’ compensation claim.

Many workers worry about their job status while out of work on a workers’ compensation claim. But injured workers should have some peace of mind because Oklahoma and federal law protects workers’ jobs when they are on disability. Most industrial and commercial employers carry workers’ compensation insurance or self-insure. A part-time or full-time worker, who is injured on the job, is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Employers are not legally obligated to provide workers’ comp insurance to independent contractors.