According to the National Safety Council, rear-end collisions constituted 40.8% of all crashes nationwide in 2022.

That makes rear-end crashes the most common type of crash involving two or more vehicles. While many rear-end collisions occur at relatively low speeds (think fender-benders at traffic lights and stop signs), they can result in serious injuries regardless of speed or force of impact.

In this blog, we’ll explore the common causes of rear-end crashes and the best way to avoid being a victim of one.

What Causes Rear-End Collisions?

Rear-end collisions often result from a combination of driver behavior and external conditions. Understanding the common causes of these accidents can help in taking preventive measures to enhance road safety:

• Distracted Driving: Drivers may be texting, talking on the phone, eating, or otherwise not paying full attention to the road at the time of their crash. Tailgating—following too closely behind another vehicle—significantly reduces the reaction time available to stop safely if the vehicle ahead suddenly brakes.
• Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit causes rear-end collisions by reducing the time drivers have to react to changing traffic conditions and increasing the required stopping distance. Sudden stops can catch trailing drivers off guard, especially if they are distracted or not maintaining a safe distance.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, or ice make roads slippery and reduce visibility, leading to longer stopping distances and a higher likelihood of rear-end collisions.
• Driving Under the Influence: When a driver uses alcohol or drugs, their reaction time and judgment may become impaired, making them less likely to react to vehicles stopping or slowing down in front of them.
• Brake and Vehicle Component Failure: Worn or malfunctioning brakes and worn out or ruptured tires can prevent a driver from stopping in time to avoid colliding with the back of the vehicle in front of them.

How Can I Avoid a Rear-End Collision?

Despite being the most common type of crash, drivers can reduce their risk of being involved in rear-end collisions by taking these precautions on Oklahoma’s roads:

• Maintain a Safe Following Distance: Keep a sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead to allow adequate time to react and stop if necessary. A general rule of thumb is the “three-second rule” – choose a fixed point on the road and ensure you pass it at least three seconds after the vehicle in front of you.
• Stay Alert and Minimize Distractions: Avoid texting, eating, or using a phone while driving. Stay focused on the road and be aware of the traffic conditions around you.
• Drive at a Safe Speed: Adjust your speed according to the road conditions, traffic, and weather. Slower speeds increase the time you have to react to sudden stops or changes in traffic flow.
• Use Mirrors and Check Blind Spots: Regularly check your rearview and side mirrors to stay aware of the vehicles behind you. This helps you anticipate if a car is approaching too quickly.
• Signal Early and Clearly: Turn on your turn signal well before making turns or lane changes to alert other drivers of your intentions and give them time to react.
• Brake Gradually: Avoid sudden stops whenever possible. Gradual braking gives drivers behind you more time to notice and react to your slowing down.
• Stay Visible: Ensure all your vehicle’s lights, especially brake lights and turn signals, are functioning correctly. This is crucial in low-visibility conditions like fog, rain, or nighttime driving.
• Be Cautious in Adverse Weather: Increase your following distance and reduce speed during rain, snow, or fog. Wet or icy roads require longer stopping distances.
• Maintain Your Vehicle: Regularly check and maintain your brakes, tires, and other critical systems to ensure your vehicle can perform properly in emergencies.

Are Rear-Ended Drivers Ever at Fault for Collisions?

Many people believe that rear-ended drivers are never at fault for collisions. While they typically aren’t at fault, they can be considered liable in some instances.

• Sudden Stops: If the leading driver abruptly stops without a valid reason, they may share responsibility for the collision. This is especially relevant if the stop was unexpected and the trailing driver had no reasonable opportunity to react.
• Brake Light Issues: If the leading vehicle’s brake lights are not functioning correctly, making it difficult for the trailing driver to notice the vehicle in front is slowing down or stopping, the leading driver could be found at fault.
• Reversing into Vehicles: If the leading driver reverses suddenly and collides with the vehicle behind, they would likely be considered at fault for the crash.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: If the leading driver changes lanes unsafely or cuts off the trailing vehicle, causing a rear-end collision, they may be held responsible.
• Impaired Driving: If the leading driver is impaired due to alcohol, drugs, or other factors that lead to erratic driving behavior and a subsequent rear-end collision, they can be held partially or fully responsible.

Trailing drivers are often assigned blame for rear-end collisions regardless of the facts of what happened. In cases like these, it’s important for wrongly blamed drivers to get the help of experienced lawyers to reduce or eliminate their level of liability and prove the other drivers’ negligence.

Contact Our Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyers After a Rear-End Collision

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped thousands of injured crash victims in and around Oklahoma City. Many of those people were injured in rear-end collisions that occurred at high, medium, and low speeds. These types of crashes are more dangerous than people think, and we work hard to help victims get maximum compensation.

If you or someone you love was injured, contact our Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We have the experience and aggressive approach you need to get the money you and your family deserve.

Summer is prime time for vacations and road trips that open you to great adventure. The warmth, freedom, and long summer days make it perfect for exploring new places and making memories with loved ones. But before you pack your bags and get behind the wheel, you should be mindful of any risks that may come up along your journey.

Common Dangers Vacationers Might Encounter on Summer Road Trips

A Flat Tire or Blowout

Debris on the road and worn tires can easily lead to a flat tire or unexpected blowout. Also, on some occasions, the extreme summer heat causes the air pressure in your tire to rise and eventually burst. We know how hard it is to control a vehicle with a flat tire, especially when you are traveling on a highway.

Before your trip, ensure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI. However, even new or well-maintained tires can still burst or go flat, which is why you should always carry a jack, lug wrench, and spare tire in your vehicle.

If you get a flat tire on a busy highway or interstate, pull over to the shoulder and call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol or a tow truck to assist you. Changing tires near moving traffic is extremely dangerous. The only time you should change a tire on the road yourself is if you’re able to pull over into a parking lot or driveway far from moving traffic.

Roadside Breakdown

Unexpected breakdowns can disrupt your travel plans. Common causes include alternator problems or running out of gas. Getting stuck on the roadside in a remote location or in severe weather conditions can be stressful and potentially risky.

Prioritize servicing your vehicle before embarking on a journey to address any issues. Always carry an emergency kit containing jumper cables, coolant, oil, flashlight, and essential tools.

If you experience a breakdown, immediately move your vehicle off the road, open the hood, and activate your hazard lights. Call for help, but stay in your vehicle while you wait for assistance to arrive.

Fatigued or Distracted Driving

Driver fatigue and distractions contribute significantly to accidents. Prolonged drives on highways in warm temperatures can lead to drowsiness.

When you get distracted using your phone, eating, or attending to your kids or pets, you may lose focus and attention on the road. In 2022, distracted driving claimed 3,308 lives.

Get a good night’s sleep before your summer trip and take enough breaks every few hours to stretch and stay alert. Share driving responsibilities with someone else to reduce fatigue and pull over right away if you start feeling drowsy.

It’s important to avoid using your phone while driving. Switch it to “do not disturb” mode and have a passenger handle calls or messages. Keep your pets secure in the backseat. Pull over for meals or other tasks that might distract you from driving.

Road Congestion

Traveling during peak times like summer weekends and holidays often leads to traffic and congestion, increasing the risk of accidents. Navigating roads can cause delays that disrupt your travel plans.

Plan your route ahead of time. Check real-time traffic updates to avoid areas with congestion. Allow time for your journey so you don’t feel rushed if you encounter traffic. Maintain a distance between vehicles, use defensive driving techniques, and control any feelings of road rage. Consider traveling during off-peak hours, such as mornings, to minimize exposure to traffic.

But if you get into an accident and are injured due to another person’s negligence, seek the help of an Oklahoma City car accident attorney. We will listen to your situation, discuss your legal options, help gather evidence, and build a strong compensation claim for you.

Dangerous Weather Conditions

Summer weather can be uncertain at times. A sudden storm could occur with heavy rains, making driving difficult. Even with your windshield wipers on, visibility could be low, and roads may be slippery. Dust storms, wildfires, and even tornadoes are possible, depending on what part of the country you are traveling.

To keep you and your passengers safe, it is important to know if your route has any adverse weather warnings for the day ahead by checking with the meteorological office or local authorities.

If driving in rain or a hailstorm, slow down, use your headlights and wipers, and increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Do not use cruise control on wet roads to avoid the danger of hydroplaning.

In bad weather conditions, pull off the road and find a place to stop safely. Wait until it clears rather than continue driving. Stay away from areas that have flooded with water. While driving, pay attention to warning signals of bad weather approaching and adjust your road trip plan accordingly.

Contact Our Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyers After a Crash

Improving safety during summer travel involves being prepared for hazards and inclement weather. However, despite all the precautions you may have taken, another person’s negligence could cause an accident while traveling on the road in Oklahoma. Contact Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation.

Most of us learn how to drive early in life—typically in our mid-teens. And while we may learn good habits from our parents, driver’s education courses, and private instruction, we don’t always maintain those good habits over time. In addition, bad habits can creep in over the course of years or decades.

If you’ve been driving for a while, there’s a good chance you have a few bad habits behind the wheel that you may not realize. And while those bad habits may not put you in danger every single time you drive, they may be increasing your risk of a crash. The next time you drive, keep these bad habits in mind and do your best to break them if they’re part of your daily driving experience.

1. Engaging in Micro Distractions

Almost everyone is aware of the dangers of distracted driving, but many people think of distracted driving as texting, emailing, or browsing the web on their phones. However, distraction goes far beyond that, and it can include tasks that only take your eyes off from the road for a split second and even tasks where your eyes are still on the road but your mind isn’t.  

Whether it’s changing the music, eating, or even just quickly glancing at a notification on your phone, these distractions can significantly impair your ability to react to sudden changes on the road. When you drive, your eyes should be focused on the road and your attention should be focused on the task at hand. Even brief micro distractions have the potential to increase your risk of a crash.

2. Ignoring the Weather and Road Conditions

You might think you’re an excellent driver in rain, snow, or fog, but overconfidence in adverse weather conditions can be deceptive. Reduced visibility and slippery roads drastically affect your vehicle’s handling and braking distance.

It’s crucial to adjust your driving style and speed to match the conditions. Slow down, keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you, and ensure your car is weather-ready before heading out. Don’t speed up or take corners more aggressively just because other drivers are. Inclement weather and road conditions are often more dangerous than you think, and they deserve your full attention and caution.

3. Mishandling Traffic Lights

Many drivers view the yellow light as a signal to speed up so they can beat the red light. This habit is particularly dangerous as it can lead to miscalculations, resulting in severe intersection collisions. The purpose of the yellow light is to signal drivers to slow down and prepare to stop. By respecting traffic signals, you not only obey the law, but also ensure your safety and that of other road users.

Another common dangerous habit is to anticipate the green light and accelerate immediately when it arrives. It’s a good idea to pause momentarily before entering an intersection when you get a green light and to check both ways before doing so. This can help you avoid drivers who may be trying to beat yellow lights or running red lights.

4. Following Too Closely

Following the vehicle in front of you too closely, or tailgating, is not only aggressive, but also dangerous. It reduces the amount of time you have to react to the movements of the vehicle in front of you and increases the likelihood of a rear-end collision if the driver slams on their brakes and slows down or stops abruptly.

Maintaining a safe following distance gives you ample time to react to unexpected situations and helps avoid unnecessary accidents. Oklahoma.gov recommends following the three-second rule to create a safe follow distance. When the vehicle in front of you passes a landmark such as a tree or sign, count three seconds. If you reach that landmark before three seconds pass, you are following too closely.

5. Driving Dangerously in Parking Lots

Parking lots are more dangerous than you might think. Although they are low-speed areas, they can still be dangerous for drivers and pedestrians due to the sheer number of vehicles in them at any given time as well as the difficulty of seeing your surroundings when backing out of a space.

When driving through parking lots, it’s important to note and follow speed limit signs and stop signs. Always give pedestrians the right of way, especially when they’re entering and exiting businesses. Avoid pulling through parking spaces—back up and out of your space instead. And finally, follow arrows for parking lanes and never cut through spaces, even in areas of parking lots where few vehicles are parked.

Contact Our Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Case Review

Many dangerous driving habits stem from a lack of awareness or a momentary lapse in judgment. Recognizing and correcting these habits is vital for your safety and that of others on the road.

If you engage in any of these behaviors, changing your driving habits can significantly reduce your risk of a crash, but it can’t eliminate it. That’s because other drivers aren’t always safety-focused behind the wheel in Oklahoma.

At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, it’s our job to ensure crash victims never feel alone after disabling and painful accidents and injuries that weren’t their fault. Contact our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys anytime for a free consultation. We want to help you get the compensation you deserve.

If you’re involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s important to have evidence that shows you weren’t at fault. In many cases, evidence includes things like witness statements, tire marks on the road, impact zones on vehicles, and descriptions of what happened from involved drivers.

However, those types of evidence pale in comparison to clear video footage, and that’s a big reason why many people have installed dashcams in their vehicles. In addition to aftermarket dashcams, some vehicle manufacturers are including them as standard features in certain models.

With prices dropping and video quality increasing every year, you may be wondering if it’s time to install a dashcam in your own vehicle. If you’re thinking about getting one, here’s what you need to know.

Installing a Dashcam Can Give You Peace of Mind

It’s common for the aftermaths of car accidents to be finger-pointing affairs where both sides blame the other for causing the crashes. If you’re involved in a crash that wasn’t captured on video, it can be difficult to determine who is truly at fault.

Dashcam footage is permissible as evidence in Oklahoma car accident claims. That means if you capture clear footage of another driver running a red light or stop, pulling out in front of you, or merging into your lane and causing a crash, that footage can help prove the other driver’s fault in causing the crash.

Consider a Dashcam with Night Vision

According to the National Safety Council, most drivers only do one-quarter of their total driving at night, but 50% of crashes happen after the sun sets. Driving at night is statistically more dangerous than driving during the day, and the accidents that happen at night are more likely to cause serious injuries and even fatalities than daytime crashes.

Standard dashcams are good at providing a clear view of what’s happening during the daytime, but their ability to record nighttime driving is hit or miss. Even well-lit urban areas may pose a challenge to many dashcams, while unlit rural roads may be nothing more than blurry smudges when played back on computers and other devices.

Thankfully, many modern dashcams have night vision features, which make it easier to see what’s happening when it’s dark outside. This feature not only provides a clearer picture of the location and movement of other vehicles, but it also makes it possible to make out hard-to-see details like license plate numbers and road signs, even in dark and poorly or unlit areas.

If You Get a Dashcam, Don’t Mount it On Your Windshield

First, it’s important to note that dashcams are legal in Oklahoma. However, it is illegal to mount them directly on the windshield of the vehicle. That’s because windshield-mounted dashcams can obstruct the driver’s view of the road and nearby vehicles.

Instead, you should mount your dashcam to your dashboard in a location where it doesn’t obstruct your view. The point of your dashcam should be to record what’s happening in front of your vehicle in the event of a crash—not making you more likely to crash!

 Test It Out After Installation

After deciding where you want to install your dashcam, you’ll want to do three things:

• First, ensure that the dashcam has a clear view of the road. Make sure the lens is angled so that the majority or all of the frame is filled by the road and not your dashboard. Placing your dashcam in the middle of your dashboard not only means less obstruction of your view, but also a wider view of the road.
• Second, ensure the dashcam is recording and you can view the footage. Some dashcams turn on automatically, while others must be manually powered on and off every time you drive. Make sure yours records when you leave home and that it has plenty of storage. Your dashcam won’t do you any good if it’s not actually recording or saving the footage of the driver who crashed into you.
• Finally, continue to test and review footage from your dashcam over time. It’s possible for dashcams to stop recording even when indicators say they are, for their lenses to become fogged, dirty, or out of focus, and for memory cards to corrupt and stop storing new data. Regularly review footage captured from your dashcam, whether it’s on a computer or the dashcam itself, to ensure it’s still working properly.

Contact Our Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyers after a Crash

If you’re injured in a crash, having dashcam footage of what happened can be beneficial when it comes to getting the compensation you’re owed. However, it’s not a requirement! At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys built countless successful auto accident claims before dashcams were available, and we continue to build them even when video footage of our clients’ crashes is unavailable.

Our legal team has the experience and resources to help you get the money you’re owed. We can locate, collect, and analyze all available evidence to prove you weren’t at fault, and we can calculate exactly how much money you’re owed for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today for a free case review.

When you drive in Oklahoma, there are many risks to which you need to stay alert.

For example, inclement weather can cause your tires to lose their grip on the road and your brakes to lose their effectiveness, which can cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Potholed or debris-filled roads can severely damage your vehicle or force you to swerve out of the way and crash.

However, nothing puts drivers at risk quite like other drivers. Every person you pass while driving has the potential to seriously injure or even kill you and your passengers by driving recklessly. Protecting yourself and your family requires driving as safely and defensively as possible.

The next time you drive, keep these tips in mind to reduce your risks.

Buckle Up

Whether you’re driving to the corner store or on a cross-country road trip, you need to wear your seat belt—and that goes for your passengers, too. Wearing your seat belt isn’t just legally required in Oklahoma, it’s also the most important and effective way to reduce your risk of serious injury and death in a crash.

Avoid Distractions

The most important aspect of defensive driving is staying alert and aware of your surroundings. When you’re distracted, you can’t react to the movements of other vehicles. That means that if a driver suddenly slams on their brakes, cuts you off, or runs a stop sign, you won’t be able to avoid a crash if your eyes are on your phone and not on the road.

Don’t Speed

If you crash, even if it’s because you were avoiding another vehicle, the speed your vehicle was traveling at has a big impact on the likelihood and severity of your injuries. By staying under the speed limit, you can reduce your risk of suffering the most severe injuries. Not speeding also gives you more control over your vehicle and more time to react when other drivers put you in danger or increase the risk of an accident.

Be Careful at Intersections

Intersections are one of the most dangerous places on the road. When you’re stopped at a red light, don’t be in a hurry to enter the intersection when you get a green light. Wait momentarily before accelerating, as this can help you avoid drivers who run red lights. At stop signs, watch drivers’ faces and make eye contact to ensure they see you before entering intersections—even when you have the right of way.

Follow at a Safe Distance

When you put plenty of distance between your vehicle and the one directly in front of you, you not only decrease your chance of rear-ending that vehicle, but also your chance of being rear-ended by the vehicle behind you. To establish a safe follow distance, wait until the vehicle in front of you passes a landmark such as a tree or building. If three or four seconds pass before reaching that same landmark, you’re following at a safe distance.

Don’t Escalate Road Rage Situations

Sometimes, crashes are caused not by negligence but by aggression and rage. You can’t predict if or when drivers around you will develop road rage, but you can control how you respond to it. If a driver is honking their horn or yelling at you or other drivers, don’t engage with them. Instead, move out of the way if possible and allow them to pass.

Stay Away from Impaired Drivers

If you see a vehicle that’s swerving, braking and accelerating erratically, or drifting in and out of a lane, there’s a good chance the driver is impaired. Keeping your distance from these drivers can help keep you and your passengers safe. You can also report an impaired driver by dialing 911 and telling the dispatcher your location and the make and model of the vehicle.

Contact Us After a Crash That Wasn’t Your Fault

It’s important to recognize and be prepared for the possibility of a crash every time you get behind the wheel. Never be complacent when you drive, no matter where you’re going or how long you’ll be on the road. Crashes can happen anywhere, including high-speed multi-lane interstates, desolate rural roads, and even parking lots.

If you’re hurt in a crash that was caused by a negligent driver, it’s important to get legal representation as soon as possible. At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped many injured victims just like you with their compensation claims, and we can help you, too. Contact our Oklahoma auto accident lawyers today for a free consultation.

Whether you’ve got a young teenager in the house who is itching to get their license, or your teen has been driving for a while already, it’s important to ensure that they know and put into practice good driving habits every time they get behind the wheel. In fact, that’s the entire focus of National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from Oct. 18-24 this year.

According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. As a parent, you can set a good example for your teen both by being a safe driver yourself and by checking up on their skills.

Checklist for Teens Preparing to Get their Learners’ Permits

If your child hasn’t received their learner’s permit yet, chances are they have big gaps in their knowledge that could affect their driving ability. That’s okay—that’s what the learner’s permit is for! But to pass the test, they need to pass a written driving exam and a vision test. And of course, they need to be able to confidently drive a vehicle, even while supervised.

Here are a few skills your teen should have while preparing:

• Ability to start the vehicle, shift it into drive, smoothly reverse and accelerate, put the vehicle in park, and stop the vehicle.
• Ability to adjust mirrors for their height and seated position to get a full view of the road and vehicles around and behind them.
• Ability to use turn signals and check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.
• Ability to maintain a safe and steady speed on roadways without driving too slow or too fast.

In addition, your teen should study their Oklahoma driver’s handbook extensively to memorize facts that may be on the exam. It may include questions about interstate speed limits, child safety seat requirements, right-of-way scenarios, and much more.

Checklist for Teens Preparing to Get their Intermediate Licenses

Teens who have held valid learners’ permits for at least six months are eligible to apply for an intermediate license, which allows them to drive by themselves with no supervision. Many of the skills they learn while driving with their learners’ permits apply to this stage of driving, and those skills will be tested via a driving skills exam. When applying for an intermediate license, your teen should brush up on:

• City driving techniques, including navigating one-way streets, narrow lanes, parking lots, and parallel parking.
• Interstate and highway driving, including smoothly merging into the flow of traffic, identifying and using on-ramps and exit ramps, and not driving too fast or too slowly.
• Knowledge of all vehicle controls, including how to operate lights, wipers, emergency flashers, and seat/steering wheel adjustments.
• How to safely share the road with other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, especially when approaching intersections, crosswalks, and bike lanes.

It can help to perform mock driving tests with your teen with you standing in as the examiner so that they get used to being observed while driving. Some teens may perform well under general parental supervision, but they may perform poorly when their performances are being judged and graded.

Checklist for Teens Who Have Been Driving for a While

What if your teen has had their license for months or even a few years already? Their risks of an accident are still high, and in fact, some teens regress in their driving ability, knowledge, and attention to safety.

That’s because many become complacent the longer they have their licenses. Don’t let that happen to your child. Ride with them regularly and be on the lookout for the following bad driving behaviors:

• Texting while driving or any form of distracted driving: Teens live on their smartphones, but they shouldn’t be used at all when they’re behind the wheel. Ensure that your teen understands the dangers of driving while distracted.
• Speeding: Teens are among the most likely drivers to speed, and they may not even realize how fast they’re going when others are also driving fast. But two wrongs don’t make a right or make them any safer. Make sure your teen obeys the speed limit, even on highways and interstates.
• Not buckling up on every trip: Seat belts are still by far the most effective life-saving device in today’s vehicles, and when teens don’t wear them, their risk of serious injuries and even death significantly increases.
• Lack of situational awareness: Is your teen constantly scanning the road ahead and regularly checking their mirrors? Driving requires full concentration. Emphasize the importance of remaining focused and not “zoning out” behind the wheel to your teen.
• Driving under the influence: Oklahoma has a zero-tolerance policy for impaired driving in teens. Because they’re under the legal drinking age, teens aren’t allowed to get behind the wheel with any BAC over 0.00%.

If your teen is struggling to become a safe driver, it can help to enroll them in a driver’s education or training course. The instructors who teach these courses can quickly identify any shortcomings and missing knowledge, especially in younger drivers, and take the right steps to fix those issues.

We’re Your Oklahoma Auto Accident Lawyer

Teens are at a high risk of being involved in crashes and causing crashes. But they aren’t the only ones who are susceptible to dangerous behaviors behind the wheel. If you, your child, or someone else you love was hurt in a crash caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible for compensation, and we want to help you get it. Contact the Oklahoma City auto accident attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.

Originally published May 11, 2020

With several months of warm, pleasant weather ahead of us in the Sooner State, there’s no better time to hit the open road on two wheels. But you can’t just head out to your local motorcycle dealership, buy a bike, and go for an open-air adventure. To legally ride a motorcycle in Oklahoma requires having a motorcycle license—or at least a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license.

Even relatively low-speed, underpowered motorcycles have significantly more torque than most passenger vehicles. That’s because their weight-to-engine power ratio is in a completely different class than the cars, trucks, and SUVs most drivers learned on. Because of those huge differences—as well as the challenges of things like balance, turning, manually shifting, and avoiding obstacles—legally riding a motorcycle requires proving to the state that you’re capable of doing so safely.

Motorcycle License Requirements Vary Depending on Who is Applying

Per the requirements established by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, there are three separate sets of requirements applicants must complete depending on their age and their driver’s license status:

Application Requirements for Licensed Drivers

If you already have a valid driver’s license, you need to get an “M” endorsement added to it to legally ride a motorcycle in Oklahoma. To obtain that endorsement, you must:

• Present the required documentation at your local Department of Public Safety, which includes:
  • An acceptable form of identification, including a birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, or a valid driver’s license.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • Documents that indicate a name change, if you’ve changed your name in the past.
  • Your Motorcycle Safety Foundation course completion card (if applicable), which waives the requirement to pass the skills and written tests.
  • Valid proof of motorcycle liability insurance, if you need to take the skills test.
• Pass a written exam that covers important knowledge on motorcycle riding, including safety practices and laws.
• Pass a vision test that shows your natural or corrected vision has sufficient acuity to safely ride.
• After passing both the written exam and vision test, you can obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit, which allows you to ride while supervised by another licensed motorcyclist for a 30-day period.
• After holding your motorcycle learner’s permit for 30 days, you must pass a skills exam that involves riding your motorcycle and completing various maneuvers in front of a test proctor.

Application Requirements for Motorcyclists 14-16 Years Old

Young motorcyclists who don’t have their driver’s licenses must complete the requirements listed above, as well as present evidence that they have completed a basic rider’s course that’s approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Applicants between 14 and 16 years old also must obtain learner’s permits for a 30-day period, during which time they must follow these restrictions:

• Motorcycle piston displacements must not exceed 300 cubic centimeters.
• Permit-holders may only ride between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Protective headgear must be worn at all times.
• Permit-holders may only ride while accompanied by and receiving instruction from a licensed motorcyclist at least 21 years old and who has visual contact with the applicant.
• Permit-holders must avoid highways with minimum speed limits and never exceed speeds of 35 mph.

Application Requirements for Motorcyclists 16-17 Years Old Without a Standard Driver’s License

In addition to the requirements in both application processes listed above, applicants who are 16-17 years old must complete the following requirements to obtain motorcycle licenses:

• Bring documentation showing enrollment or attendance requirements are met in a secondary or vocational technical school.
• Have a parent or legal guardian present when applying for the license.

We’re Here to Help Injured Motorcyclists

Although motorcycles give riders a sense of freedom and exhilaration that many passenger vehicles can’t match, riding one is never something to take lightly. Safely riding a motorcycle requires knowledge, experience, and an abundance of caution. Because motorcyclists have no built-in safety features, motorcycles risk their lives every time they head out on their bikes, whether they’re just going down the road or on a cross-country trip.

Unfortunately, even the most safety-conscious motorcyclists face many risks when they ride, especially when other drivers fail to pay attention to them or look out for them. All motorcyclists, regardless of age or experience, face this risk, although less experienced motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in crashes because they’re less able to anticipate the movements of other drivers.

If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle crash caused by a negligent driver, the Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn want to help. We know that you’re facing big expenses that you can’t afford, and the insurance company may be unfairly biased against you. When you call us, we’ll fight to get you paid and to ensure that you get fair treatment. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Winters in Oklahoma can be very cold with plenty of ice and snow. And while those conditions are known for making roads treacherous, they can also do a number on your vehicle. Cars, trucks, and SUVs operate at their best in mild to warm weather, and when temperatures drop below freezing, serious issues can occur.

In addition to making sure you drive as safely as possible this winter, it’s also essential to make sure your vehicle is well protected from the elements and hazardous road conditions winter weather can cause. Thankfully, avoiding major damage and keeping your vehicle road worthy throughout the year is as easy as following a few tips. Check out the infographic below to learn five essential steps all drivers should follow in Oklahoma this winter to avoid winter-related vehicle damage.

Keep These Additional Tips in Mind, Too

While the tips listed in the infographic cover most scenarios that can cause winter weather damage to vehicles, there are other possibilities that you should be aware of. They all involve common scenarios, and each mistake can be damaging and possibly even dangerous in its own way. They include:

• Don’t clear ice off your windshield with hot water—You’re running late and your windshield is covered in thick ice. The last thing you want to do is scrape it off, but avoid the temptation of pouring hot water over it. The rapid change in temperature can cause glass to weaken, crack, or even shatter, making you even later and requiring you to pay a hefty repair bill.
• Don’t swerve or slam on your brakes to avoid potholes—Potholes are most commonly formed when water enters small cracks in asphalt and pavement, then expands after it freezes. The damage breaks up the road, and the resulting holes can damage vehicles. If you see a pothole up ahead and can’t avoid it, never swerve or slam on your brakes, as doing so can result in a serious crash.
• Don’t leave large sections of ice on your windshield or windows—Hot water to clear ice is off the table, but it’s still important to remove all of it from your windshield and windows before driving. When you have limited visibility due to thick ice, you’re more likely to be involved in a crash. In addition, the sun can reflect off ice, creating a blindingly bright light.
• Don’t drive when winter weather is on the way—When winter weather arrives, it can shut down highways and interstates in a matter of minutes, pummeling vehicles along the way with snow and ice and trapping drivers for hours or even days. Always check the weather forecast before leaving home, and don’t drive if conditions look treacherous.

While you’re at it, be sure to take care of routine maintenance tasks, including making sure you have plenty of coolant, keeping up with regular oil changes at scheduled intervals, ensuring your tires are filled with the recommended PSI, and keeping your gas tank topped off.

Get Experienced Legal Representation After a Winter-Related Accident

Whether another driver failed to prepare their vehicle for winter driving, or they failed to take extra precautions on slick roads, you deserve compensation for their negligence if they caused a crash that injured you or your loved ones. And at Parrish DeVaughn, it’s our goal to help you get it.

We’ve assisted injured victims throughout Oklahoma for many years, and we know what it takes to win. Don’t let the insurance company deny you the compensation you need for your medical bills and lost wages. Let us build a claim that they can’t ignore, reduce, or deny. Contact us today for your free consultation.

Although Oklahoma isn’t usually known for its harsh winters, the state still gets its fair share of snow and ice between the months of December and March. And like all states, Oklahoma sees a spike in auto accidents when winter weather arrives, especially when it affects roadways. Both snow and ice can result in treacherous driving conditions, and inexperienced, inattentive, and aggressive drivers can put all motorists at risk.

Whether making a trip across the state for a family holiday gathering or simply making your daily commute, it’s important to be prepared for winter weather. Knowing what to expect when ice and snow accumulate on the road—and the best ways to remain in control of your vehicle and out of harm’s way—can help you reduce your risks and keep yourself, your loved ones, and other drivers safe.

Stay Safe by Reading Our Winter Driving Infographic

It’s important to be alert, cautious, and ready for the unexpected any time you get behind the wheel. But statistics show that winter weather results in more car crashes, especially when roads become icy and slick. Your tires and brakes are two of the most important components of your vehicle, and they work much less effectively in winter conditions.

To stay safe this winter on Oklahoma’s roadways, follow the tips in the infographic below:

Following these tips is great for reducing your risks of being involved in a crash, but nothing can eliminate that possibility. If you feel yourself losing control of your vehicle after hitting a patch of snow or ice, the National Safety Council recommends steering in the direction of a skid. Never jerk your steering wheel, mash your accelerator, or slam on your brakes when losing control.

Winter Weather Accident Victims Deserve Maximum Compensation

The unfortunate reality about winter driving is that for every motorist who wants to be as safe as possible, there’s another driver out there who fails to uphold their responsibilities or even follow traffic laws. And when safety is disregarded during when driving on snow or ice, the risk of auto accidents skyrocket—and that often results in serious injuries to innocent people.

If you or someone you love were injured in a winter weather car crash because someone else wasn’t driving safely, you may be eligible to get compensation for everything from medical bills and lost wages, to pain and suffering, and even vehicle repair costs. However, getting compensation for those costs isn’t always a straightforward process, and insurance companies are well-known for reducing or denying victims the settlements they deserve.

Get the Legal Representation You Need After an Accident This Winter

At Parrish DeVaughn, our Oklahoma City auto accident lawyers have helped people who were hurt in crashes that occurred in the middle of summer and in the dead of winter. Regardless of the temperature outside or what the road conditions were like, we focus on three things:

1. Proving our clients weren’t at fault for their crashes
2. Determining how much money they’re owed for what they’ve gone through
3. Making the insurance company pay them a fair settlement

No matter how treacherous road conditions are, drivers are supposed to be careful, cautious, and considerate. When they behave negligently behind the wheel and cause accidents, they should be held liable for the damages they cause—and that’s where we come in.

Our legal team knows what it takes to build strong claims that hold negligent drivers accountable, and we know how to stay one step ahead of insurance companies throughout the process. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help your family get the money you deserve.

Roadtrips can be a lot of fun, whether you are going to visit family for a holiday or going on vacation. But when you are traveling with small children, long car rides can also be frustrating. At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, we know what it’s like to have small children get cranky after long hours in a car, and how trying to keep them happy and entertained can keep parents distracted from the road.

To help keep Oklahoma families safe, and to help keep roadtrips fun, check out our advice for how to help keep kids entertained on long car rides.

Must-Pack Items

• Kid-friendly books and activity books
• A handheld game device or portable video player — don’t forget headphones and extra batteries or chargers!
• Healthy snacks — try making a “snack necklace” with string and circular snacks like cheerios, pretzels, or dried apple rings.
• A lap desk — cookie sheets make a cheap and easy alternative.
• Toys — avoid small toys that might fall under the seats and are not easy to retrieve without stopping and getting out.
• Garbage bags, paper towels, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer to clean up messes.
• A travel pillow

Easy Ideas and Helpful Tips for Parents

• If your child uses a car seat, double-check it is secured properly. A 2015 study found that 95% of parents have made a mistake when installing a car seat.
• If you have very young children, consider having one parent sit in back with them so they can see your face and involve you in games.
• Give each child a small bag or box and let them pack what toys and books they’d like to bring for themselves.
• If reading in the car gives your child motion sickness, try kid-friendly audiobooks. Library apps let cardholders check out audiobooks directly to their phones.
• Try portioning out toys and snacks every hour so they continually have something new to look forward to.
• If your kids like to ask, “are we there yet?”, have your kid track your trip progress with a printed-out map and stickers.
• Always plan for more bathroom breaks than you think you need.

Roadtrip Games for the Car

Story/Guessing Games

Guess the Word

One player uses their finger to write a word (short words work better) on another player’s arm or palm, and the player being written on must try to guess what word it is.

20 Questions

Using only yes-or-no questions, players must try to guess what another player is thinking of. For example, “is what you are thinking of an animal?”, “is what you are thinking of blue?” You win the game if you can figure out what the mystery object is after asking 20 questions about it.

Team Storytelling

All players tell a story together, each taking turns to add one sentence. See how crazy your story can get as each player takes the story in a new direction!

License Plate Abbreviations

Players must use their imagination to guess what the letters on license plates they see on the cars around them might stand for. For example, a license plate with the letters “TJH” might stand for “tigers jump high”. The player that comes with the funniest guess wins.

Alphabet/Counting Games

The Alphabet Game

Players must try to find every letter of the alphabet, in order, by searching road signs, business signs, and billboards (license plates cannot be used). Players who are searching for the same letter cannot use the same sign toward their own count. Whoever finds every letter first, wins.

Alphabet Categories

After choosing a category (ex: food, animals, cartoon characters, etc.), players then take turns trying to come up with items in that category for every letter of the alphabet. For example, if the category is food, the first player might say “apple”, the next “banana”, then “corn”, and so on until they get to ‘z’.

The Picnic Game

Players take turns describing what they would bring to a picnic. On every turn, a new item is added, and everyone must remember all the items before it when they add one. For example, the first player might say they would bring apples, so the next player would need to say they are bringing apples and bananas. Then the third player would need to remember apples, bananas, corn, and so on until either someone forgets the list or they reach “z”.

My Name Is

Players must come up with answers to the questions, “My name is”, “I come from”, and “I have a suitcase full of” with words that start with each letter of the alphabet. For example, the first player might say, “My name is Arnold, I come from Arizona, and I have a suitcase full of apples,” while the second player might say, “My name is Betty, I come from Boston, and I have a suitcase full of bananas,” until they get to “z”.

The Counting Game

Players must try to count out loud from one to twenty together, but players don’t take turns counting. Anyone can speak at any time, but if two players speak at the same time, they must start over at one, and if more than five seconds go by without anyone speaking, everyone must start over from one.

Download Our Free Activity Book

The team at Parrish DeVaughn has put together a free, downloadable activity book with more fun games to keep kids entertained on long car trips. Simply download the book, print it out before your trip, and pack some crayons! Our book includes:

• Coloring pages
• Word searches
• Mad libs
• Mazes
• Tic-tac-toe

After a Car Accident, Call Parrish DeVaughn

There is little more frightening than a car accident, especially when your family is in the car with you. If you, your spouse, or child have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else, it can affect your life, and your finances, for years. Let the experienced Oklahoma car accident attorneys at Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, and we’ll work hard to get you and your family the compensation they deserve for their injuries and pain and suffering. Call today for your free consultation.