Oklahoma City Injury Law Blog

1 dies in drowsy driving accident in Oklahoma

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in rear-end collisions on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

Rear-end collisions happen for many reasons, one of which is falling asleep behind the wheel. When you drive at night, you need to take the time to get enough rest. If you begin to get tired, then you need to pull over and stop instead of putting yourself or others in danger. If you don't, you could cause a collision like this one.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported a two-vehicle accident in which one person was killed over the weekend. According to their report, a 49-year-old man riding a motorcycle was struck and killed in the collision.

Where do you seek treatment after a workplace injury?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

Workers' compensation is an important protection for people working in Oklahoma. There is no waiting period, so even if you're hurt on your first day of work, you're protected.

As someone who has been hurt on the job, it's of the utmost importance that you get the right medical care as quickly as possible. When you're injured, you should quickly go to the emergency room or discuss your options with your employer. They may have a preferred medical provider that you can see if there is no injury requiring emergency care.

What injuries are unique to semi crashes?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in semitruck accident injuries on Thursday, March 21, 2019.

Semitruck accidents can be severe when they involve smaller vehicles, pedestrians or cyclists. The weight discrepancy between the colliding objects is enough to show why these crashes are so dangerous.

The maximum weight for a semitruck and trailer in the United States is 80,000 pounds. The average weight of a car is around 4,000 pounds. As you can see, the likelihood of the smaller vehicle escaping unscathed is low.

Auto-accident claims: Let your attorney do the heavy lifting

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in auto accident injuries on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

Auto accidents can result in many different injuries. In some cases, the injuries are severe, making it difficult for victims to move on with their lives after the crash.

As a victim of an auto accident, you may not know where to start when it comes to seeking compensation. You should be able to seek compensation from the party who caused the accident, and you can do so by filing a claim through their insurance. If they don't have insurance, then a personal injury lawsuit could be the right option.

Certain states have higher risks of pedestrian fatalities

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in Motorcycle on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

Imagine being in a state where your likelihood of being in a crash is higher than in others. For example, as a pedestrian in Florida, you have the highest risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident than anyone in any other state.

In fact, eight of the 10 most dangerous areas in the United States for pedestrians are located in Florida. Others are spread out across the deep south. Just four are located in more northern states.

Employers are responsible for on-the-clock injuries while driving

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in on-the-job auto accident injuries on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

You drive for work, so the likelihood is that you'll get into a crash while you're on the job if you ever do. That realization was made extremely clear when you were involved in a collision on the way to a job site.

When you were involved in the crash, the other driver was distracted. They merged into your lane unexpectedly and caused you to spin. In total, several vehicles ended up involved, and you were severely hurt.

Court rules failed drug test does not affect workers’ comp

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Thursday, January 31, 2019.

For injured Oklahoma workers, a recent court ruling may give them more access to care, even if they test positive for drugs. According to The Oklahoman, the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals recently ruled an injured worker should not be denied workers’ compensation benefits because he failed a drug test.

What should you know about a delayed-onset injury?

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in auto accident injuries on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

Auto accident injuries can be severe. Some don't show up right away, leading people to believe that they've gotten through a serious crash without the injuries that they actually have. Delayed-onset injuries are common for crash victims, and they're a true risk to their health in the coming days.

Delayed-onset injuries are injuries that aren't apparent when they take place. Like a cut that you don't realize you have until you see blood, a delayed-onset injury also isn't recognized until long after it occurred. They often don't cause pain or show apparent injuries.

You have a right to appeal a denied worker's compensation claim

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm posted in denied workers' comp benefits on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

As someone who has been working for your employer for many years, the last thing you expected when you got hurt was that your workers' compensation claim would be denied. You were in the heart of the action, working on a long-term project for your employer. There's no reason for a denial, in your opinion.

If your workers' compensation claim has been denied, it's important for you to seek help. You shouldn't have to go without financial support for medical care or lost wages because of simple misunderstandings or red tape. There are a few reasons you might have had your claim denied, which your attorney can help you appeal.

Dangerous roads in Oklahoma

On behalf of Dawkins & Gowens Law Firm on Friday, January 4, 2019.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, there were over 70,000 car accidents in Oklahoma in 2016. Could the amount of accidents be due to dangerous roads that lie within the state? What are the most dangerous roads in Oklahoma and why?