Last week, a one-vehicle crash involving a distracted driver set a field on fire in Comanche County, Oklahoma. The incident happened at about 1:00 p.m. on Highway seven. According to KSWO News Channel Seven, the driver of a black sedan was texting on his cell phone prior to the crash. He apparently looked up from his phone and then swerved to avoid an animal in the roadway.
His automobile crashed into a fence and the fire started. It swiftly spread through two acres of grass and nearly reached a residential structure. Thankfully, neighbors were on hand with hoses as Cox’s Store Volunteer firefighters fought the blaze. In addition to about two acres of grass being destroyed and damaged fencing, a car and a motorcycle were also destroyed in the fire. Currently, there’s no word on the condition of the driver or whether or not any citations were made in connection with the crash and fire.
Texting While Driving
Thankfully, the fire was contained before it got to the home, and there were no reports of serious injuries associated with this wreck. Anytime a driver takes his or her attention away from the road, there is an extremely high risk for danger. It’s common to hear about crashes where distracted drivers cross over the centerline and strike other cars head on.
Distracted Driving Facts
- In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers.
- An estimated 421,000 people were injured in distracted driving crashes in 2012.
- 10 percent of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the wreck.
- Drivers in their 20’s make up 27 percent of distracted drivers in fatal crashes.
Property Damage Claims
In this type of case, a property owner can make a claim against the property damage portion of an auto policy. Since the burned grass and damaged fence happened due to the reckless behavior of the driver, the property owner can collect for damages associated with the crash, including damage that occurred as a result of the fire.
If you have suffered from fire-related property damage due to somebody else’s negligent, careless or willful behavior, contact the skilled team at the Altman Legal Group for a free case consultation. We have extensive experience in handling fire damage cases, and we can even deal with a pushy insurance company.