ANYONE WHO’S THINKING OF DIVORCE KNOWS THEY HAVE SOME DIFFICULT CHOICES TO MAKE.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/07/2020 -- And during the coronavirus pandemic, those choices may be somewhat limited because a lot of places are closed and things are very different than they would normally be. But Owens Law Office remains open to assist in divorce and family law cases in Oklahoma City amid COVID-19, allowing clients to move through the process as efficiently as possible. During can be stressful and painful during the best of times, and it's often more complicated when there are other big factors causing additional difficulties. The pandemic is causing rising stress levels, and reducing stress while going through a divorce isn't an easy task.

STILL, THE BEST OPTION FOR LOWERING STRESS LEVELS AND GETTING THROUGH A DIVORCE IN A PANDEMIC IS TO HAVE THE RIGHT ATTORNEY TO HELP WITH THE PROCESS.

That makes it less complicated and can mean both spouses get the support and guidance they're looking for. Custody issues, financial concerns, and other family law problems can all be part of the process of divorce. When those issues aren't addressed the right way, or when one or both spouses feel they aren't getting what they need from the agreement they're trying to reach, stress levels can rise. Add to those additional problems, such as being quarantined with a spouse while moving through the divorce proceedings, and it's very important to have a trusted, professional advisor to work with.

THERE'S NO REASON THAT A DIVORCE HAS TO BE PUT ON HOLD DUE TO COVID-19.

It may take a bit longer to get everything done due to potential delays in the courts, but Owens Law Office is still working during this time. Attorneys who are dedicated to helping their clients know that sometimes things like divorces really can't wait until a better time. There are often important reasons to move things forward, and that's true of most family law issues and concerns. No matter what the reasons are behind a divorce, custody dispute, or other family law problem, having the right people handling the case and making sure it advances through the courts to a successful resolution matter.

CONTACT OWENS LAW OFFICE TODAY, AND GET THE SUPPORT AND LEGAL HELP YOU NEED TO MOVE THROUGH YOUR DIVORCE AS EASILY AS POSSIBLE. WE ARE OPEN DURING COVID-19, TO ASSIST WITH YOUR FAMILY LAW MATTERS.

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Attorneys need evidence to build car crash claims, and that evidence sometimes comes from unexpected places.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/24/2020 -- As the coronavirus spreads, peace officers are limiting their interaction with the public, especially when it comes to vehicle collisions.

"If somebody calls us because they're in a car crash, that's different than somebody calling because they want to give us information on someone who is having a domestic (violence situation), or somebody who just had a burglary occur," explained Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Gary Knight. In other words, officers might not respond to the scene of a serious injury collision. These changes are not limited to OCPD. Highway Patrol troopers will not handle drivers' licenses or other documents. And, at traffic stops, deputies at the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office speak to drivers from the passenger side window.

"The bottom line is: we still have wives, kids, significant others and families at home," said Blackwell Police Chief Dewayne Wood. "It puts a lot on the officer to remember that we are all responsible for ourselves." "These procedural changes are not just cosmetic," emphasized Oklahoma City auto accident lawyer Phillip P. Owens II. "They directly affect the way our office collects evidence in car crash claims."

The police accident report is often the evidentiary cornerstone of a vehicle collision claim. Medical bills are usually just as important. If the police report is unavailable, attorneys must look elsewhere for evidence. A vehicle's Event Data Recorder often provides all the information the police accident report would have provided, and more. Investigators often use black box flight recorders to determine the cause of airplane crashes. Similarly, attorneys use EDR information to help determine liability in a car crash claim. EDRs measure and record information like:

 - Vehicle speed,

- Steering angle,

- Engine acceleration or deceleration, and

- Brake application.

This determination is not absolute because insurance company defenses, like contributory negligence, might apply.

Electronic evidence in general, and EDR evidence in particular, is often very compelling in court. Tech-savvy jurors usually respond very well to electronic evidence. And, if the EDR was working properly, insurance company lawyers usually cannot successfully challenge its information. Computers are never wrong and never biased. EDR information can make or break a case, especially in the absence of a police report, and attorneys must act aggressively to ensure this evidence is available in court. Generally, insurance companies destroy totaled vehicles within a few days of an accident. If that happens, any physical evidence, such as the EDR, is gone.

So, attorneys send spoliation letters to insurance companies in these situations. These letters create a legal duty to preserve any potential physical evidence, including the EDR. Moreover, Oklahoma has very strict vehicle data privacy laws. Generally, only the owner or an authorized agent can access this data, and that access must be for a very limited purpose, such as vehicle diagnostics. Thus, attorneys must usually obtain court orders before they can access and download EDR information.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Winter weather conditions have led to a rash of car accidents In Oklahoma City. Protect yourself by being aware of the dangers and take the proper precautions when on the road.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/29/2020 -- Winter weather throughout Oklahoma City is blamed for a series of car accidents and injuries. According to a January 11, 2020 Oklahoma News 4 report, icy roads contributed to more than a dozen crashes over a two day period. With more adverse weather on the way, drivers are urged to take precautions.

Adverse Weather Plays a Major Role in Car Accidents

Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers responded to a rash of car accidents after a winter cold front resulted in freezing temperatures and icy roads. Weather-related traffic tie-ups clogged Interstates 40 and 44. Sixteen car accidents were reported, sending at least five people to local hospitals with potentially serious personal injuries.

Of the more than six million car accidents each year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports adverse weather plays a role in over 20 percent. Wet roads and freezing rain are among the leading culprits. "During cold, wet winter weather, visibility is poor and icy patches on the road make it difficult to maneuver or stop in response to traffic," says Phillip P. Owens II, a personal injury attorney at Owens Law Office in Oklahoma City. "It is important for drivers to be aware of the dangers and take appropriate steps to reduce car accident risks."

Protecting Yourself on the Road in Winter Weather

"Winter weather plays a major contributing role in car accidents and injuries at this time of year," says Owens. "However, it is generally the reckless actions of other drivers which are ultimately to blame." Reckless driving behaviors that increase the odds of a crash include:

Speeding and driving too fast for conditions;
Tailgating, improper passing, failure to yield, and other aggressive driving behaviors;
Distracted driving, such as using cell phones or texting;
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications.

During the winter months, the American Automobile Association (AAA) advises taking a few simple precautions. To save yourself frustration, check the weather before a trip and allow plenty of time to reach your destination. Give other drivers plenty of room on the road and expect unexpected stops along the way. Making sure your vehicle is well maintained is a good idea as well. Automotive issues are common in winter and increase your accident risks.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Legal responsibility is often hard to determine in head-on crashes, because of evidentiary and legal issues.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/20/2020 -- Police are still investigating a fireball crash in rural Colbert which killed two people in two different vehicles.

Early reports indicate that Ramon Flores, of Cartwright, slammed into Kurt Horn, of Plano. Flores was northbound in the southbound lane of Highway 75. Witness Timothy Witt said Flores was travelling on the wrong side of the road for some time. "When we were coming up close near the bridge we noticed that it had actually already run another vehicle off the road ahead of us, luckily that gave us enough time to react," he recalled.

Flores and Horn were both declared dead at the scene after one of the wrecked vehicles caught fire.

"Wrong-way collisions are deceptively straightforward," commented Oklahoma City auto accident lawyer Phillip P. Owens II. "At first blush, the accident always seems like the wrong way driver's fault. But the facts and law often indicate otherwise." So, even if the police said the wreck was your fault, it is always important for a lawyer to review your case, he added.

Emergency responders conduct the best investigation possible. But they never have access to some of the most critical evidence, such as a vehicle's Event Data Recorder. Much like a commercial jet's black box records critical flight data, vehicle EDRs measure and record data like:

Steering angle,
Engine RPM,
Brake application, and
Vehicle speed.

Because of privacy laws, attorneys normally need court orders before they can inspect and download EDR data.

Furthermore, attorneys must act quickly to preserve the EDR. Typically, the insurance company destroys totaled vehicles a few days after the collision. If that happens, the EDR, and any other physical evidence in the vehicle, is gone forever.

Legal doctrines often come into play as well. The last clear chance rule usually applies in head-on crash cases. If Driver A has a chance to avoid a crash yet does not do so, Driver A is legally responsible, even if Driver B was on the wrong side of the road.

Significantly, the driver must have the last clear chance, as opposed to any possible chance. Emergency maneuvers, like quick lane changes and sudden stops, are often impossible because of traffic, weather, or other conditions.

So, given this rule, and the lack of physical evidence, it's almost impossible to tell which driver was the victim and which one was the tortfeasor (negligent driver) in this tragic crash. Only a thorough attorney can make that determination.

One final note. Since one victim lived in Plano, a future negligence action could be filed in Bryan County, Oklahoma where the wreck occurred, or Collin County, Texas, where the victim resided. Attorneys make these venue choices based on a number of factors, such as the state's law or the availability of witnesses.

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When cattle create a roadway hazard, the same principles of negligence apply. These victims might still be entitled to substantial compensation.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/26/2019 -- A woman is dead and a man is in critical condition following a cattle-on-vehicle wreck in Grant County.

The wreck occurred on State Highway 74 not far from the Salt Fork River Bridge. 22-year-old Bryson Holeman's Lincoln collided with some cattle on the roadway. He lost control of his vehicle and spun into a ditch. He survived, but an injured passenger, 22-year-old Britton Stacy, was subsequently declared dead at a local hospital.

Investigators state that Holeman was wearing a seat belt and Stacy was not.

"These kinds of crashes are not too unusual in the Sooner State," observed Oklahoma City auto accident lawyer Phillip P. Owens II. "Legally, they combine aspects of both premises liability and motor vehicle liability claims."

The cattle-on-the-roadway part of this claim is probably a straightforward negligence action, Owens explained. These cases have five basic elements:

Duty: Generally, property owners have a duty of reasonable care. This duty includes keeping cattle off of roadways.

Breach: In this context, breach usually means knowledge. The owner must have known that the cows were on the road. That knowledge could be indirect; for example, the owner might have known about a hole in a fence.

Causation: What actually caused this accident? Did the driver hit one of the cows and lose control, or did the driver over-react to the cattle on the road and lose control of the vehicle? If both the driver and owner were partially at fault, a jury must divide liability between them on a percentage basis.

Proximate Cause: This phrase is Legalese for "foreseeable." If you go see a movie, you might get popcorn. Likewise, if cattle wander across a lonely stretch of highway, a car wreck is not an inevitable or even likely result. However, it is a foreseeable result.

Damages: In Oklahoma, damages in a car crash claim usually include compensation for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Additionally, note that, according to the police report, Stacy was not wearing her seat belt. Oklahoma is a seat belt defense state. So, the insurance company can use seat belt non-use to reduce or deny compensation to the victim.

However, there are some limits. Oklahoma's seat belt law only applies to front seat passengers. So, the defense arguably does not apply to unbuckled back seat passengers. Furthermore, the seat belt defense is an affirmative defense. The insurance company must prove that the vehicle's seat belt was operational, the victim was not properly restrained, and the lack of restraint caused the victim's injuries. These elements are not easy to prove.

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After striking a bicycle rider, a negligent driver dragged 31-year-old Chad Epley for about ten blocks.

Oklahoma City, OK -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/05/2019 -- The wreck occurred near the intersection of Classen and Northwest 16th Street. First responders rushed the critically-injured Mr. Epley to a nearby hospital, where he was subsequently declared dead. Investigators found the wreckage of his bicycle near the intersection of Classen and Northwest 6th Street. Police have few leads, other than a dark image captured on nearby surveillance video. That business owner alerted employees to have the surveillance footage ready for review "because it was a pretty crazy accident." "Some victims think there's no reason to call a lawyer after a hit-and-run accident," observed Oklahoma City auto accident lawyer Phillip P. Owens II. "But in fact, the opposite is true.

If the negligent driver did not remain at the scene, you need a lawyer even more."An attorney is more than an effective courtroom advocate.A lawyer is also a good investigator, and these skills are critical in hit-and-run cases. First responders often overlook evidence at the scene, but an attorney pays attention to details like: Additional Witness Statements: Some people don't like to talk to police officers. But they will tell a personal injury attorney about the things they saw and heard. Even if they only saw part of the crash, their testimony can be critical. Nearby Surveillance Video: Unless a security, red light, or other camera caught the whole thing on tape; most first responders may not review it. But nearby surveillance video from several blocks away can be just as valuable.Inquiring at Local Body Shops: Some business owners do not like talking to police officers either. But these individuals are usually willing to help a personal injury attorney obtain compensation for a victim.

The burden of proof comes into play here. In criminal court, prosecutors must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. That's the highest standard in Oklahoma law. But in civil court, the burden of proof is only a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not). So, a little circumstantial evidence goes a long way in a negligence case.Investigation and advocacy skills also come into play if the tortfeasor (negligent driver) is not found. Most victims can file claims against their own insurance companies in these situations. Like a traditional negligence claim, alternate insurance claims rely on evidence. Advocacy is important as well. There are some procedural differences between a trial and an insurance company arbitration.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm