Just last month, debris left on an Oklahoma roadway caused an SUV to swerve out of the way before crashing into a wall. According to the news report covering the accident, the collision occurred on Highway 169 near the 61st Street exit in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Officials say the SUV was headed north when the vehicle nearly struck a mattress blocking the road. The driver swerved to miss the debris and struck a wall, but fortunately, no occupants of the vehicle were transported to the hospital. Oklahoma car accidents caused by debris left in the road are often tricky because the person responsible for the debris isn’t always known. If you have been injured in an Oklahoma car accident caused by debris on the roadway, contact our experienced car accident attorneys at AMA Law to explore your compensation options.
OKLAHOMA LAW PROHIBITS LEAVING DEBRIS ON ROADWAYS
Drivers responsible for causing an accident by intentionally or unintentionally dropping debris on the roadway may be held accountable for any damages related to the hazardous road conditions. According to Oklahoma Statute 21-1753.3, “The operator of a vehicle…shall be liable pursuant to subsection B of this section for any act of throwing, dropping, depositing, or otherwise placing any litter from a vehicle upon highways, roads, or public property.” This OK law covers everything from motorists throwing a cup out of their window to accidentally dropping a poorly-secured load from the back of their truck or the top of their car. When the at-fault driver is unknown, it must be determined whether the governing body in charge of the roadway was aware of the hazardous condition and failed to remove the debris.
CONTACT AN OK CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY
A car accident doesn’t have to involve a collision between two vehicles for it to be severe. Too often, old tires, garbage or even mattresses are left on Oklahoma roadways by negligent drivers, posing a serious risk to other motorists who may have to swerve out of the way to avoid striking the debris. Unfortunately, when a vehicle is forced to swerve while moving, the driver may end up colliding with another vehicle, or with a median, guardrail or wall, sometimes resulting in serious injuries and possibly even death. If you have been involved in a car accident in Oklahoma caused by debris left in the road, contact our qualified car accident lawyers at AMA Law to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages related to the accident, which you can pursue by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the person or party found at-fault in the accident.