Auto Accidents due to Unsafe Speeds
Throughout the country, an increasing number of car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents are occurring due to the use of smart phones, cell phones, and other forms of technology while driving. While such accidents may be getting the majority of the publicity these days, the fact remains that a tragic number of preventable accidents continue to occur due to drivers operating their vehicles at unsafe speeds. This is as true in the American Heartland, with its sprawling stretches of straight, flat roads, as it is of the more densely populated coasts.
In some cases, the only people harmed in accidents caused by speeding are the occupants of the speeding vehicles. While this is unfortunate, it is infinitely more so when innocent drivers and passengers who are obeying the rules of the road are injured by negligent motorists. In such cases, these injured victims and their families may be entitled to damages for lost wages, medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, pain and suffering, and - in particularly tragic circumstances - funeral costs and future lost wages and benefits.
At The Tawwater Law Firm in Oklahoma City, auto accidents and speeding have given rise to many of the personal injury claims that we have handled successfully on behalf of injured victims and their families. If you or a member of your family has been injured due to another driver operating his or her vehicle at an unsafe speed, or if you have tragically lost a loved one in such an accident, we would welcome the opportunity to fight for your right to be compensated for your losses and expenses.
Oklahoma Speeding Statistics
According to the 2013 annual report published by the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office:
- There were 172 fatal auto accidents due to unsafe speed in Oklahoma in 2012, the highest number since 2009 (194).
- There were 4,030 injury auto accidents due to unsafe speed in 2012.
- Since 2000, more than 2,100 people have died in auto accidents due to unsafe speed, with a high of 213 fatal accidents in 2005 and a low of 152 in 2010.
- During that same span, there have been at least 4,000 injury accidents due to unsafe speed each year, with a high of 5,377 in 2007.
- Most fatal auto accidents due to unsafe speed occurred on country roads (50) followed by city streets (30).
- More unsafe speed crashes occurred in December than in any other month (1,002; February came in second with 890).
Oklahoma Speed Limit Laws
There is no excuse for breaking speed limit laws. Even if signs are not clearly posted - and in the vast majority of cases, they are - drivers should always err on the side of caution when it comes to operating their vehicles. Common sense can go a long way toward saving lives.
The basic speed limit laws of Oklahoma are as follows:
- 75 MPH on turnpikes and wherever designated on rural interstates
- 70 MPH on four-lane and “super two-lane” highways
- 65 MPH on all other highways
- 55 MPH on county roads
- 45 MPH in State Capitol Parks
- 35 MPH in state parks
- 35 MPH in wildlife refuges
- 25 MPH in school zones, unless otherwise specified
Learn More about Auto Accidents and Speeding
To learn more about auto accidents and speeding, please contact the Tawwater Law Firm today.