Auto accidents happen all too often on the treacherous Oklahoma roads. While some accidents are unavoidable, a frightening number of auto accidents are caused by some form of driver negligence, vehicle malfunction, or road conditions. In 2009 alone, 10.8 million motor vehicle accidents occurred throughout the United States. In the state of Oklahoma, 738 people died in that same year due to an auto accident. An estimation by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that about 32,310 people died in motor vehicles accidents in 2011.
Tulsa, the second largest city in Oklahoma, boasts a growing population and a thriving metropolitan area. As the population continues to climb (estimates project reaching 1 million residents by the end of 2012), roadways and highways are frequently congested. This leads to a higher propensity for an auto accident to occur.
If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury in an auto accident in Tulsa, contact an experienced lawyer from The Edwards Law firm by calling 1-800-304-9246.
Tulsas busiest freeways are U.S. 169 and Interstate 44. High speeds and congestion on these highways lead to a higher likelihood of an auto accident occurrence. In fact, Tulsa County ranked second in 2010 for motor vehicle fatalities. An experienced lawyer is essential to handling auto accident cases. With the rise of outside distractions, growth in population, and an abundance of traffic, drivers must be aware of the most common causes of auto accidents. An alert driver is a safe driver and learning the most prominent causes of auto accidents in Tulsa will keep motorists aware of their surroundings. The following are the most frequent causes of auto accidents:
Distracted Drivers
Statistics point to a frightening increase in the number of auto accidents caused by distracted drivers. Some of the most common distractions include:
Drunk Drivers
In 2008, 18,229 Oklahoma residents were arrested for driving under the influence. In the United States, over 1.41 million drivers were arrested for driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2010.
Reckless Driving
Any person operating a motor vehicle with disregard or safety of persons or property is considered a reckless driver. In the state of Oklahoma, and Tulsa specifically, reckless driving is a serious offense. The following are the most typical forms for reckless driving:
Texting and Driving
A relatively new phenomenon in the United States, texting and driving has become one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has marked cell phone use the top cause of distracted driving. Some form of cell phone use is involved in almost 25 percent of all auto accidents each year.
Falling Asleep Behind the Wheel
Unfortunately, millions of drivers each year fall asleep while operating a motor vehicle. Commonly caused by late night driving, excessive drowsiness, and driver fatigue, statistics have proven that drowsiness accounts for thousands of auto accident fatalities each and every year.
While no one can predict an accident occurrence, being aware of the causes of auto accidents will prove to be incredibly helpful in maintaining an elevated level of attentiveness on the roadways.
Have you been hurt in an accident that was caused by another motorist? The Edwards Law Firm has the experience and expertise to guide you throughout your case.
While causes of auto accidents vary, the method to dealing with the aftermath remains the unchanged. If you or a loved one has been injured due to one of the above causes of auto accidents, contact a Tulsa lawyer from The Edwards Law Firm today for a free review of your incident.
To learn more about your options, call us today toll free at 1-800-304-9246.
