Personal Injury Vs. The Car of Tomorrow: Is the Law too Light on Automakers?
Self-driving cars are robotic vehicles that are capable of traveling from one place to another without a human driver. As one of the latest developments in AI technology, the vehicle is touted as the future of a safer and more convenient riding experience. Automated Cars: Making Roads Safer Statistics from the Association for Safe International Road Travel show that more than 1.25 million people die from road accidents every year. This leaves about 20-50 million road crash victims injured or disabled. Driverless technology aims to reduce error on the road by replacing human perception with more accurate computer systems and sensors. These include radars, cameras, GPS, and artificial intelligence. Footage from Tesla, in fact, shows the impressive capability of autopilot features in avoiding accidents. Research suggests that self-driving cars can help by improving road safety. They are, after all, able to control the steering, acceleration, and braking capabilities of a vehicle without a driver. Moreover, self-driving technology can also make drivers and pedestrians less prone to road safety problems like speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and more. A Long Way to Perfecting Driverless Tech The technology isn’t without its issues. Last March 18, 2018, a self-driving SUV hit a 49-year old woman in Arizona. She is the first recorded pedestrian fatality from an autonomous vehicle. Preliminary reports about the accident indicate that the machine was operating the car at the time of the collision and that the car was traveling at 40 MPH at a 35 MPH zone. The death of the pedestrian is a reminder that driverless car technology still has a long way to go before it can become the norm when we travel. So, as carmakers push for the large-scale deployment of driverless cars in the country, the possible legal implications of instances the technology does fail should be considered, as well. Case in point: in light of the revolutionary technology, how can personal injury attorneys fight for the compensation their clients deserve? An Increase in Out-of-Court Settlements Car safety legislation exists to help develop and maintain the nation’s transportation system while encouraging public road safety. Even with tough self-driving regulations, however, some experts worry that driverless car companies could dissuade car accident victims from filing a personal injury claim. Road accidents could, for instance, lead to more out-of-court settlements like arbitration — an alternative method that involves settling disputes outside of court. Consumer groups like the Center for Auto Safety worry that forced arbitration could dissuade crash victims from filing a claim. Arbitration can, after all, skew the odds in favor of big businesses. In turn, it could bar claimants from exercising their fundamental human rights. Not all is lost, though. Amendments to current the legislation are helping prohibit forced arbitrations. Some members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee claim that the current regulations, in fact, fail to protect pedestrians and it gives automakers too much leeway. Fortunately, some self-driving carmakers have been supportive in following legislation that would prevent possible machine malfunctions and other pedestrian hazards. Legal Protection for Personal Injury Victims Self-driving cars still require a lot of improvements to operate safely and make riding vehicles safer. Until then, road crash victims require aggressive legal representation for advice and the proper compensation for their injuries. Every accident has its own set of facts, and you can count on our team for legal assistance when you file your claim. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
Car Accident Lawyer in Oklahoma City.
How to Find a Car Accident Lawyer in Oklahoma City Car accidents are common, and it can happen to anybody. When it happens to you or your loved, you will need someone to guide you through the process. If you think you have a case, you will have to find a car accident lawyer to help you out. The lawyer you choose will have a big impact on your case. You need to invest time and effort in finding the right attorney so you don’t end up regretting in the end. Here are some tips that will go a long way in helping you choose the right car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City. Experience This is one of the most important things to look for when choosing a car accident lawyer. Experience will always translate to the type of results you end up with. The lawyer you choose should have enough experience in handling personal injury cases similar to yours. You can also find how they have performed in their past cases. Know the qualities you are looking for Having a rough idea of the qualities you want in a car accident lawyer will help you in the process. You will know the type of lawyer you are looking to work with. You should feel comfortable working with the lawyer because you will be talking and spending some time together. Choose a lawyer dealing with that specific specialty One mistake many people make is choosing a lawyer dealing with all types of cases, but this is never the right approach to take. Choose a lawyer who has specialized in a given area, a jack of all trades is a master of none. There is no reason why you should risk the quality of representation by choosing a lawyer who has not specialized. Choose a lawyer with a history of taking cases to trial if necessary You will be surprised to find many lawyers advertising their services have never seen the inside of a courtroom. They will take your case then pressure you to take what is given. Insurance companies are known to be very aggressive. They will take advantage of your lawyer if they know he is afraid of a trial. The insurance will know when the lawyer is not willing to go to trial, and this hurts you. They will pressure the attorney because they know he/she will in turn pressure you take what they are offering, which is not enough in most cases. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
Car Accident Attorney When To Hire
Your family or friends might have suggested you work with a car accident attorney have your recent automobile accident from which you suffered injuries and damages to your health your property respectively. You are faced with ensuing expenses and deciding to seek the services of an automobile accident lawyer, in the midst of the crisis, is a wise move. Why Not Hire Any Other Lawyer! Well, you need to consider the complexities of law and its many principles that can be leveraged when faced with a lawsuit. You need the services of a professional who understand the law and is mandated, as per the profession, to advise, assist, and represent you in court. You cannot just settle for any random attorney when it comes to cases of car accidents. Traffic accidents will involve two or more parties with there being a victim and the party at fault. If you are the victim, you reserve the right to claim compensation. Conversely, you need to know how to mitigate the ensuing consequences if you are at fault and have a case to answer. In both instances, you will need a traffic accident attorney on your side. When To Contact The Lawyer Assume you can still stand and make sense of things after the accident, it is crucial that you be calm and assess the situation. Avoid making any drastic decisions, such as confronting the party at fault, because this can affect your chances of getting compensated. Instead, make sure you are safe and then contact the police followed by your attorney to inform him or her of the situation and to come at the scene. Avoid taking too much with the police if you are at fault; only talk when your lawyer is present even if you are apprehended and brought for booking. What Is The Fee For Hiring An Auto Accident Lawyer? Most attorneys who handle compensation cases offer their services on a “no win – no fee” basis; it means the advocate can take your case and represent you on a contingency arrangement and will get paid after you are awarded your claim, or you get a satisfactory settlement. As such, the lawyer is bound to be driven to do an excellent job in representing you since there will be no pay if the case is not won or settled. The contingency agreement will be on an agreed fee which is a pre-determined and agreed upon percentage (can be anywhere between 30% -50%, but negotiable) to be deducted from the claim the attorney will be fighting for you to receive. However, keep in mind that the advocate will consider taking up your case only after assessing and evaluating the facts and evidence of the matter to determine the chances of winning and the possible hurdles that may change that outcome. Also, the contingency fee may be higher depending on the complexities of your case. Make sure that you understand the terms of the agreement to know if the lawyer will deduct the court costs first or only their pay from the settlement. The Verdict You will need the services of a car accident attorney if you are involved in a traffic accident and seek compensation or have accused of being at fault. The advocate you hire should be a reputable professional with years of experience specializing in cases related to automobile accident compensation. For more information contact one of our highly qualified Attorneys in the Oklahoma City area call (405) 253-4478 or our main office in Ardmore (580) 798-0447.
A Car Accident Lawyer Explains Negligence Laws, Compensation, and Limitations
Car accidents are not only dreadful due to the physical injuries and emotional pain they can impart, but also the litigation that comes afterward, especially when the driver who caused the accident is unwilling to pay proper compensation.
Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer Talks About How Car Accident Settlements Work
Besides dealing with injuries from a car accident, you must also face the ordeal of filing a lawsuit if you’re a victim of a hit-and-run or the compensation from the insurance company and the driver at fault are not enough to cover your damages. Worse, the accident may have resulted in temporary or permanent disability, such as traumatic brain injury, which can severely hamper your ability to provide for your family. Such injury increases your demand for a significant amount of economic compensation.
A Car Accident Lawyer Advises Claimants to Take Swift Action After the Incident
Car accident cases always have a sense of urgency to them due to the time limit the court imposes. Each state abides by a statute of limitations that dictates how much time a victim is allotted to ask for compensation before the case becomes void. This is why any competent car accident lawyer in Oklahoma City or elsewhere will advise filing a claim as soon as you are able.
A Car Accident Lawyer Shares Advice on What to Do Right After an Accident
Even without the constant media attention, it’s unsurprising that car accidents are quite common in America. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 4.6 million people required medical attention after crashes in 2016, a 7% increase compared to the numbers recorded in 2015. Just imagine the number of lives lost due to a car crash.
Major Car Accident Causes and How Oklahoma’s Laws Aid Prevention
Every year, nearly 200,000 people die in the United States due to injury and violence. More than 33,700 of them were caused by motor vehicle crashes. According to the data published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over 600 of those deaths occurred in the state of Oklahoma. When compared to the state’s 4 million population it means 1 in every 6,000 people are at risk of losing their lives in a traffic collision each year.
Are Teen Drivers Really as Dangerous as Claimed? An Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer Explains
While it’s true that car accidents can happen anywhere, it’s more accurate to say that car accidents can happen anywhere there is a teenage driver. Data from a long-term study by the Teen Risk and Injury Prevention Group at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, estimates that one in five teens will be involved in a car accident in the first six months of being behind the wheel.
A Car Accident Lawyer Delves into the Upcoming Laws on Self-Driving Vehicles
If you think car accident laws are complicated now, imagine how much more confusing it would be when self-driving cars become the norm on the streets.
