Violations of the Law Often Lead to Personal Injuries

While some injuries are completely accidental, others happen because another party violates a law that is in place to ensure safety in the community. In this situation, the wrongful party should be held fully liable for all harm and losses they caused. Contact a Tulsa personal injury attorney about your options.

Personal injury claims allow injured individuals to seek compensation from parties that caused their injuries. In many cases, someone might be negligent or careless and cause injuries to others. However, some injuries also happen because someone violates the law. 

When a person violates the law and causes you harm, they should be held accountable for their actions. You should speak with a Tulsa personal injury attorney about your rights. The following are some laws of which violations might lead to personal injuries. 

Traffic Laws

Many personal injury claims stem from traffic accidents. Drivers should all be well aware of all relevant traffic laws and regulations, and they are expected to abide by the law when they are on the road. Unfortunately, every day in Oklahoma, many drivers intentionally or unintentionally violate these traffic laws. 

Some common violations of traffic laws that might lead to accidents include:

1. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
2. Speeding
3. Improperly yielding
4. Failing to obey all traffic signals and stop signs
5. Failing to obey construction zone and school zone laws
6. Improper lane changes or passing
7. Following too closely
8. Texting and driving

All of the above can result in serious accidents and injuries to others, whether they are occupants of other cars, pedestrians, cyclists, and others on the road. 

Building Codes

Business and property owners need to make sure that their premises are safe and in compliance with all relevant building codes. This includes electrical wiring, plumbing, flooring, height transitions such as steps, and more. If a building is not up to code, hazards can exist, and people can suffer injuries as a result. 

Nursing Home Regulations

Nursing homes are complex operations that must provide care for residents with a wide range of needs. States have strict regulations when it comes to nursing homes, and these regulations are intended to keep residents as safe as possible and free from neglect, unnecessary injuries or medical conditions. However, nursing home management can allow violations of these safety regulations.

Some violations that might lead to harm to residents include:

1. Hiring staff with certain criminal convictions
2. Allowing neglect or abuse
3. Not having sanitary conditions
4. Improper food safety
5. Administering medication without a prescription
6. Improperly isolating or restraining residents
7. Improper monitoring of residents with high fall risks
8. Failure to prevent residents with violent tendencies from abusing other residents

When nursing homes violate regulations and cause injuries to residents, they should not only compensate victims, but they also might face penalties and fines.

Criminal Laws

Sometimes, people commit crimes that cause injuries to others. Some crimes against people include:

1. Assault
2. Sexual assault or abuse
3. Robbery
4. Carjacking
5. Homicide

Criminal violations can result in charges issued by a prosecutor, and convictions of violent crimes can mean fines and time in jail. In addition, injured victims can file a claim for personal injury against the offender. If the offense is manslaughter or murder, the family of the victim can file a wrongful death claim. 

Liability for Injuries

Under Oklahoma law, people who violate laws that are designed to prevent harm or are otherwise negligent are often liable for the injuries they cause. That means that victims can often recover compensation for all of the losses they have suffered as a result of another person’s wrongful act. Common examples of losses that are sought in a personal injury claim include:

1. Current and future medical expenses
2. Lost income
3. Lost quality of life
4. Physical and emotional pain and suffering 
5. Property damage

In many cases, personal injury claims are resolved by reaching a settlement agreement with the at-fault party’s insurance company; in others, victims file lawsuits in order to obtain compensation through a court judgment. In either case, it’s highly advisable for victims to retain an attorney to represent them throughout the process.

While you can recover even if someone did not violate the law, an infraction or criminal conviction can often be used as proof of negligence and liability, and your lawyer can identify when this can help your case.

Contact a Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney for More Information

At Wandres Law, PC, we know how to seek the compensation you deserve from the parties responsible for your injuries, including parties who violated the law. If you suffered injuries, you should not wait to have our legal team evaluate your rights. Call (918) 641-4044 or contact us online for a free consultation today.