Edmond Oklahoma Personal Injury Law Blog

Staying safe on the roads during the holiday season

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

The holiday season. While festive for many, unfortunately, at this time of year also means an increase in the number of truck and car collisions. According the online statistical resource Edmonds.com, in a typical year during the holiday season, about 340 will lose their lives in car, truck and SUV accidents on the streets of Edmond and across the country. Fortunately, not every motor vehicle accident results in a fatality. But even the chances of you or someone you know ending up in a fender bender is higher this time of year.

Here are some pointers to help you stay safe on the roads this holiday season.

How common are medical record mix-ups?

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Friday, November 2, 2018.

Medical malpractice happens in various ways, with mistakes taking place all the way from administrative staff to surgeons. Common causes you may already be aware of are misdiagnosis, incorrect dosage of medication or anesthesia, surgical errors and birth injuries.

Another common one is mixing up medical records. It may sound like something off a sitcom or soap opera, but unfortunately, it happens more often than you may think. The RAND Corporation puts the rate at eight percent, reports STAT news. This number may seem low, but when you consider how many patients there are in the nation, you can see how it is problematic. Also, not everyone reports mix-ups, especially when someone catches the mistake before harm occurs.

How common is substance abuse among truck drivers?

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

When truckers resort to alcohol or drug abuse while sitting behind the wheel, they endanger you and everyone else on the road, and when cars and commercial trucks collide, the car typically winds up in second place.

In some cases, per the American Addiction Centers, truckers abuse alcohol and drugs can often be the result of boredom; spending long periods alone on the road. Others use certain substances, such as amphetamines, in an attempt to improve job performance or stay awake to finish a run on time. Regardless of a trucker’s reason for turning to drugs, doing so often has devastating consequences.

3 injuries that may occur when a vehicle rolls

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Sunday, September 30, 2018.

Few types of accidents are as scary and potentially deadly as those involving a rollover. According to Consumer Reports, SUVs are the most likely kinds of cars to roll over, but any car is susceptible, if the circumstances are right.

The following are some of the most common injuries that can result from an accident in which a car rolls, either onto its side or 180 degrees onto its roof. Even in accidents where this does not occur, injuries can be serious and turn into lifelong afflictions if they are not treated properly, so it is imperative to seek medical attention after an accident, no matter how major or minor injuries seem.

Beware of emotional driving

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Friday, September 28, 2018.

There are many ways drivers become distracted behind the wheel. Texting, eating and applying makeup can all increase a person's likelihood of being in a car crash. However, there is another factor that also causes drivers to become distracted: driving while emotional.

Research shows driving while incredibly angry, sad or even happy can increase a person's chance of ending up in an accident by 10 times as normal. It is for this reason people should only drive while in a clear state of mind and should pull over if they feel they are a danger to themselves or others.

Could the city be held liable for your motorcycle crash?

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

Experienced motorcycle riders are aware of their vulnerability and accustomed to taking necessary precautions, especially at night and in bad weather. However, they cannot always prepare for the unexpected, such as a dangerous spot on the road. What happens if a motorcycle rider crashes because a city street has been poorly maintained?

Take care of yourself emotionally after a car accident

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Tuesday, August 14, 2018.

After you suffer an injury in a car crash, the focus is, understandably, on your injury. Some injuries are usually evident to others - broken bones, for example, or internal bleeding that doctors are able to find. Doctors even take serious injuries such as whiplash or back pain that might not show up visibly or on diagnostics.

All of this attention on the physical aspect of your health is good, but it is important to remember to take care of yourself emotionally.

4 ways to avoid an accident

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

No matter how careful you are to keep from causing an accident, though, there are thousands of drivers every day who are driving aggressively, intoxicated or looking at their phones.

Oklahoma's deadliest types of vehicle accidents

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Monday, July 9, 2018.

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You probably know someone who has been in a car accident. Maybe you've been in one or two yourself. While a minor rear-end collision at a stop light can be no more than a big annoyance, a major pile-up on the highway can lead to serious injuries and deaths.

How many fatal car accidents occur in Oklahoma?

Bumping your head may be more serious than you think

On behalf of Maples, Nix & Diesselhorst on Friday, July 6, 2018.

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Were you recently in an accident? Did you seek medical care despite having no symptoms? You, like many others, may feel just fine after a car crash, fall or other type of accident. However, failing to see a doctor afterward is particularly dangerous if you hit your head.

According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention, about 2.8 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year. Many don't even know they were injured. Unfortunately, failing to get your head examined (no pun intended) can lead to serious consequences, including: