If you or a loved one were the victim of a sleeping driver motorcycle accident caused by someone who fell asleep at the wheel, Abel Law Firm is here to help you. You may have suffered severe physical, emotional, and financial harm, but we can make sure you are appropriately compensated.

Falling asleep at the wheel is one of the most dangerous things that can happen on the road. A sleeping driver has no awareness of their surroundings or control over their vehicle. Drivers can fall asleep at the wheel for many reasons. It could result from prescription drugs, alcohol, driving while drowsy, or driving for long periods without rest. Regardless of why the driver fell asleep, a tired driver puts everyone else on the road at risk, and they should be held responsible for the harm they cause.

Meet with one of our Oklahoma City sleeping driver motorcycle accident attorneys of Abel Law Firm for a free consultation by calling (405) 239-7046 today.

Why You Need an Attorney for a Sleeping Driver Motorcycle Accident

If someone drives while drowsy and falls asleep at the wheel, they can inflict horrific injuries to bikers and their passengers. The injuries sustained in an accident with a drowsy driver can be painful and expensive. If you have been severely injured in a motorcycle crash with a drowsy driver, then your focus should be on recovering from the accident and moving on with your life, not struggling to pay for the costs of the crash.

An attorney’s job is to deal with legal issues for their client. This involves filing claims, meeting deadlines, and investigating the crash. While you focus on recovering, we can handle all the legal matters for you. Hire an attorney with experience handling cases like yours, and you can rest easier knowing that you have an advocate working hard to get you the compensation you are owed.

Why You Should Choose Abel Law Firm

If another driver has fallen asleep at the wheel and collided with your motorcycle, you should not have to pay for the consequences. We work tirelessly to represent injured bikers just like you and ensure they get the compensation they need. Our 130 years of combined legal experience show that we have the knowledge and skills to get our clients what they need to recover. We have won millions of dollars for our clients and are ready to offer our services to you.

We know the financial burden you’re facing. Motorcycle accidents often cause severe injuries that require ongoing medical treatment to heal. Our Oklahoma City sleeping driver motorcycle accident attorneys will take your case on contingency so you don’t suffer an additional financial strain. We won’t collect legal fees or costs unless we recover compensation from the at-fault driver or their insurance company. If we lose your case, you won’t owe us one penny.

Symptoms Caused By Driver Fatigue

Many people get behind the wheel of their vehicle despite feeling tired. Families, work, school, errands, and busy schedules keep motorists going daily. Most people think that fatigue won’t cause any real problems. After all, they drive while tired and never get into an accident. Unfortunately, this way of thinking is dangerous. It only takes one time to fall asleep behind the wheel, and devastation results.

When a driver operates their car while feeling fatigued, they could experience any of the following symptoms that can lead to an accident:

  • Reduced motor skills
  • Slower reaction time
  • Drowsiness
  • Altered sensory perception
  • Blurry vision
  • Trouble seeing hazards on the road
  • Forgetting to follow traffic signs and signals

Among the most dangerous symptoms is falling asleep. Even if it’s just for one second, everything around the driver could change drastically in that micro-moment. Their vehicle could drift into another lane, another driver could merge in front of them, or a pedestrian could walk out into a crosswalk. If the driver loses consciousness, they won’t be aware of and can’t avoid crashing into another vehicle, pedestrian, or stationary object.

Determining the Value of Your Losses

You probably suffered financially, physically, and emotionally after your motorcycle accident. There are various losses you could claim in your case. You could pursue compensation that will cover them. These losses could include:

  • Medical bills
  • Loss of consortium
  • Property damage
  • Disfigurement
  • Emotional distress
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering

While Abel Law Firm investigates your case, we will calculate your expenses and create a fair monetary value for your intangible losses, such as emotional distress. Some of the factors that could contribute to the final number include:

  • The type and severity of the injury
  • The emotional impact of the accident
  • Suffering endured by family due to your injuries
  • Total medical costs
  • The estimated cost of future medical treatment required
  • Interruptions to daily life, such as time missed from work, canceled vacations, and the inability to care for children
  • The length of time it takes to recover
  • Whether the injury resulted in a physical or emotional disability

We could try to settle with the at-fault driver’s insurance company if there’s adequate liability coverage. We aim to recover the maximum compensation you need to cover your total losses. However, if they’re unwilling to negotiate for a settlement we believe is fair or if they decide to deny your claim, we could file a lawsuit and litigate your case in court.

Handling A Lawsuit After A Motorcycle Accident

Lawsuits are confusing for most people. If you have never been through the process, you probably don’t know the state laws, deadlines, and procedures you must follow. At Abel Law Firm, our legal team knows how to take on liable drivers in court and aggressively fight for the justice our clients deserve.

There is a strict deadline associated with lawsuits. If it passes before you file your lawsuit, you could lose your right to compensation. This time limit is known as a statute of limitations. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations is two years. The two-year deadline begins on the accident date.

A jury will review every piece of evidence we provide and the facts of the crash. They will consider the fatigued driver’s level of fault and yours. If they discover that your actions contributed to the accident, you could receive less compensation than you would receive if the other driver were 100% to blame.

Under the modified comparative negligence rule, accident victims receive less compensation proportionately to the percentage of fault they share. For example, if you suffered $50,000 in losses, but a jury determines you were 20% responsible for your injuries, you could only pursue up to $40,000 in compensation. If you were over 50% at fault, you wouldn’t be allowed to recover any money in a legal case.

How to Get the Compensation You Are Owed

If someone has fallen asleep at the wheel and caused a severe motorcycle accident, there are some steps you can take to make it easier to get compensation for your injuries:

  • First, get medical attention as quickly as possible. Even if you do not think your injuries are severe, seek medical attention immediately after a motorcycle crash.
  • Second, make sure that the crash scene is documented if you can, take as many pictures of the accident site as possible. Specific evidence, such as alcohol, drugs, or coffee cups in the car, can help prove that the other driver fell asleep. The more evidence that can be documented, the easier it will be to prove your case.
  • Third, preserve records of all your accident-related expenses. At least some of your recovery will be based on the financial harm you suffered. Keeping records will make it easier to prove that you deserve compensation.
  • Finally, contact Abel Law Firm as soon as you can. We can help you recover, but only if you hire us. Act quickly, as the state’s two-year deadline for this kind of lawsuit could prevent you from pursuing a monetary award if you wait too long before initiating legal action.
  •  Putting together a strong case can take a long time, so do not wait and risk losing compensation.

You do not deserve long-term suffering from being hurt in a motorcycle accident with a sleeping driver. Contacting a lawyer may help you win the compensation you need for your medical treatment and overall recovery.

Speak to A Dedicated Oklahoma City Sleeping Driver Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A fatigued driver puts everyone around them at risk of severe injury and death. If they fall asleep, it’s even more dangerous. At Abel Law Firm, we understand the trauma you’ve experienced due to someone else’s careless and reckless decisions. You have the right to hold them accountable for their actions and pursue the compensation you need to restore the pieces of your life.

If you were in a motorcycle accident and suffered injuries because someone fell asleep at the wheel, the OKC accident lawyers at Abel Law Firm can fight for you. We will work tirelessly to advocate for your rights, hold the responsible party liable, and win the money you deserve for your medical bills and other losses. Call us at (405) 239-7046 for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Voted Oklahoma's Best Personal Injury Law Firm
The Journal Record 2023 Reader Rankings - Top Winner - Abel Law Firm - Best Peronal Injury Law Firm
The Journal Record 2023 Reader Rankings - Top Winner - Abel Law Firm - Best Peronal Injury Law Firm

Oklahomans across the state have recognized the Abel Law Firm's unique heritage as a statewide institution. Founded by Ed Abel, and today led by his son, Luke Abel, our personal injury law firm has become synonymous with empathy, compassion, and the highest professional performance serving our neighbors. Our family has sought to leave a profound impact upon the State of Oklahoma. We appreciate that former Governor Mary Fallin recognized that dedication when she declared May 1st "Ed Abel Day."

To be named Oklahoma's Best Personal Injury Law Firm is humbling. We are grateful to have won this prestigious honor. We work every day to earn the trust of those we serve: Oklahoma families who are facing some of the most difficulty days of their lives due to the negligence of others. It is our intention and resolve to continue to be deserving of the faith Oklahomans have placed in our family's law firm. Thank you!

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