This winter, Oklahoma motorists have already faced some very dangerous driving conditions. Every driver on roadways large and small should exercise due caution and allow plenty of stopping room when traveling on wet, icy or snowy roads. Otherwise, the consequences could be devastating.
Police say that on Jan. 5, a car in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, slid through a stop sign and was hit by an SUV travelling through the intersection. The driver of the car was taken to the hospital and was reported to be in critical condition. The SUV driver suffered minor injuries and did not go to the hospital.
The crash illustrates the importance of allowing for sufficient stopping distance while driving, especially during icy weather.
While the SUV driver in this case was said to have suffered only minor injuries, sometimes car-accident injuries that are initially thought to be minor can worsen over time, requiring ongoing medical treatment. Injured parties faced with this situation may need to explore their legal options for having their medical bills covered.
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety cautions drivers against driving while tired, distracted or emotionally upset, and not properly assessing one’s ability to drive could be seen as a form of negligence. Driving in good weather when you are not focused and alert is dangerous enough; when the weather conditions are poor, a person’s reaction time and situational awareness may be further compromised.
To learn more about what to do after an injurious auto accident, please visit our pages on personal injury.
Source: KJRH, “Slick roads caused a major accident in BA, police still investigating,” Jan. 5, 2014