If you’ve got a new teen driver in the house, you may have already heard the grim term “100 deadliest days” on the roads. That’s the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day that has historically been the time of year when more teens are killed in car crashes than any other time of year.  Not all of those crashes, however, solely involve teens. In fact, it’s been estimated that nearly two-thirds of those injured or killed in those crashes are people other than teen drivers. What dangerous behaviors cause most of the crashes? The leading causes of these deadly summer crashes are the old rel ..read more

Wrong-way accidents, where a driver gets turned around and proceeds down a road or highway against traffic, are not that common – but they are incredibly deadly.  In 2019 (the last statistics available), 17 wrong-way crashes caused 24 deaths and an untold number of other injuries. Worse, wrong-way crashes are on the rise, increasing 34% over the period from just 2010 to 2014. What’s causing the problem? It’s a multitude of issues: 1. Impaired driving One of the biggest causes of wrong-way accidents is impaired driving, primarily due to alcohol or drug consumption. Drivers under the influe ..read more

Airbags act as a crucial buffer between occupants and a vehicle’s interior. This safety feature reduces the risk of severe injuries, particularly to the head and upper body. It has been instrumental in saving lives and minimizing injuries in countless accidents, but these benefits also come with risks. The force of an airbag deploying can cause injuries if passengers are too close or not properly positioned. Defective airbags can also cause injury. Understanding these risks and benefits is crucial for all vehicle occupants. Benefits of airbags Airbags provide a significant layer of protection ..read more

If you are involved in a car crash, there is a one in three chance that it’s a rear-end collision. These crashes account for nearly 30 percent of the car accidents on American roads. If you are involved in a rear-end crash that is not your fault, you may be eligible for financial restitution from the liable party.  To win your claim, however, you must show that the defendant was at fault. But this is often easier said than done. So, how is fault determined in a rear-end crash? Establishing fault in rear-end collisions As a rule, every motorist is required to keep a safe distance from the ..read more

Responsible drivers move out of the way when a police car, fire truck, ambulance or other vehicle carrying first responders has its lights and sirens on or when they see these vehicles along the side of the road attending to a crash or other emergency. They also slow down and take extra care when entering a highway work zone. Unfortunately, everyone is not so conscientious.  That’s why this past November, Oklahoma made some changes to its “Move Over” law. The law already required drivers to decrease their speed and, if possible, change lanes, when they encounter any emergency or maintenan ..read more

It often seems like the rural roads in Oklahoma would be safer. They tend to have excellent visibility, and you may often find yourself driving alone on a wide-open road where it feels like there’s a very low risk of getting into an accident. This is much different than driving in the city, around thousands of other drivers and on confusing road systems, where it feels like an accident could happen in a split second. And it is true that fatal car accidents happen both in urban areas and or rural roads. In fact, the number of fatal crashes each year is roughly split between these two geographic ..read more

Immediately after a car accident, your emotions may be running high. It may only feel natural to express your sympathy for the other driver with a heartfelt, “I’m so sorry!” Don’t do it. Even if you only mean to convey the idea that you’re sorry the accident happened, you should never apologize after a wreck. Your words could be turned against you Apologizing can be seen as an admission of guilt. It may certainly seem that way to the other driver, and their insurance company may interpret an apology as an acknowledgment of responsibility. That could make it much harder for you to press a claim ..read more

Some crashes are impossible to avoid because they are the fault of another driver. Rear-end crashes often occur when someone has already slowed or stopped their vehicle. The motor vehicle behind them doesn’t stop in time and causes a crash. The driver of the front vehicle may have no time to respond before the crash occurs and no room to maneuver even if they notice the vehicle failing to slow down. Rear-end collisions can cause a host of injuries. Someone could develop a brain injury if they hit their head on the steering wheel, dashboard or windshield. People can break bones or incur a spina ..read more

On most streets in Oklahoma and throughout the country, it is legal to make a right turn at a red light. However, some community leaders are considering banning or limiting the practices in areas that have high levels of traffic. The belief is that prohibiting right turns at red lights will reduce the number of collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians. The origins of right on red During the 1970s, the United States was in the midst of an energy crisis, which resulted in a number of steps being taken in an effort to conserve fuel. One of these steps was to pressure states into allowing dri ..read more

There are many steps you can take to remain safe while driving in Oklahoma. One chief way you can ensure your safety is to educate yourself on the various types of car accidents, so you can take measures to avoid them. Multi-car pileup A multi-car pileup is a type of car accident that involves three or more vehicles. This type of car crash is common in areas where there are high speed limits, such as highways. Multi-car pileups can be catastrophic, and they are usually caused by the mistakes of one driver, and other motorists are driving too close behind to react sufficiently. Accident involvi ..read more