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Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Oklahoma

You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by car accident victims in the state of Oklahoma.

What to Do after a Car Accident in Oklahoma

If you have been in a car accident, you likely know how many tasks and details must now be taken care of. Car accident victims often feel confused and unsure about their next steps. Below are a few of the most immediate things that need to be done after a car crash.

  1. Call the emergency line – The very first thing you need to do if you have been in a car wreck is to dial 911. The 911 operator knows who needs to be dispatched to the scene. These emergency responders are likely to arrive at the scene: the police, fire department and emergency medical technicians. You are required to remain at the scene of the accident until the police who arrive clear you to leave. It is a good idea to exchange contact information with the other driver, but the police report should also have that information if you were unable to get it.
  2. Keep track of medical expenses – If you have to see the doctor due to car accident injuries, you will need to keep any medical bills and documents you are given. These will become very important to your auto insurance provider and to your personal injury attorney, should you hire one.
  3. Obtain the police report – Another important document you will need to collect is the police report. The police report will have information in it that your insurance company will use to decide if you were at fault. Police are taught to immediately begin taking notes of the scene when they arrive. They talk to witnesses, both drivers involved in the automobile accident, and take pictures of the scene and of both vehicles.
  4. Call your insurance company – You will need to begin the process of filing a car accident claim as soon as possible. Your insurance company will need the documents you have collected as well as any other evidence you may have collected.
  5. Consider hiring a personal injury attorney – If you have been involved in a car accident, you may want to consider hiring a car accident lawyer. There are many details and important deadlines to keep track of during an already stressful time. Make sure you do not miss anything by using LegalFinders to connect you with a law firm that best fits your needs.

These are only a few of the steps you need to take after an auto accident. For some people, the accident may not be serious and can be over pretty quickly. However, if someone has died or serious injuries were involved, or if there is extensive property damage and a vehicle needs significant repairs the process can take much longer.

What Types of Injuries Can Occur as a Result of a Car Accident?

One of the most important things you need to take care of after a car accident is to get checked out by a doctor. Sometimes there are injuries that can occur that you may not notice until a later time because adrenaline often masks pain. Most emergency room doctors are familiar with certain injuries that can happen due to a car accident. The following are some of the most commonly experienced injuries:

  • Bumps and bruises
  • Scrapes and cuts
  • Burns
  • Soft tissue damage
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ damage
  • Spinal injuries
  • Brain injuries
  • Death

If you have been in a collision, make sure you get checked out as soon as possible. Doctors do not mind checking you out. It is better to go and know that nothing is wrong, than to skip the medical care and miss something very serious. If you decide to hire a personal injury attorney, make sure you retain your medical records that apply to the accident. These can be important when building your personal injury case.

When Should You Consider Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Everyone understands what a hectic and chaotic time the period after an accident can be. Your normal schedule is now confused, you may have experienced injuries that need care and time to recover from. You may not have been able to attend work for a while and have lost wages because of this accident. There are now looming deadlines to contend with on top of everything else. This is where hiring a personal injury lawyer can greatly benefit you.

Car accident lawyers and personal injury attorneys have decades of experience dealing with the legal system and insurance companies. They are very aware of the statute of limitations that you have to comply with in order to preserve your claim and they are familiar with specific Oklahoma car accident laws. They have necessary knowledge and skills to make sure that you receive not just fair compensation but the maximum compensation available.

They often work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they do not get paid unless you win your personal injury case. This is often a relief for those that are struggling with being able to afford an attorney. You can trust car accident attorneys to handle the legal side of things so that you can begin to move on and recover from this auto accident. LegalFinders can help you find top rated trial lawyers in the OKC area or anywhere else in the state.

What Should You Know Before You Contact Your Insurance Company?

Another very important step to take after being involved in a car accident is to contact your insurance company. Most people dread this phone call, believing it is going to be monotonous and stressful. While there is no way to confirm that you will have a smooth process, the following things can make your phone call easier:

  • Have all of your insurance information available, including your insurance policy number which can be found on a bill or on your account.
  • Have any documents regarding medical attention you received, including the emergency room bill or a bill from your primary care physician if emergency care was not sought.
  • Have any evidence you may have gathered handy, this includes copies of pictures, videos, property damage repair bills and statements from witnesses of the accident if there were any.
  • The police report, which will provide key details that your insurance company will need in order to determine who is at fault.

Once your insurance provider has received your information, they will then dispatch an insurance adjuster to investigate on the insurance company’s behalf. They will go directly to the car accident site if possible, even if the wreckage is cleared there can still be visible tire marks or damage to surrounding property. They will also examine the vehicles involved for any damage and speak to both drivers. If there were witnesses to the car accident, they will speak with them as well in order to gain a clear understanding of what took place.

After they have concluded their investigation, they will give their findings to the insurance company. The company will then calculate what they deem to be a fair settlement offer. If you feel that this offer does not reflect the damages that have accumulated, you can dispute and negotiate the claim amount. It can help to hire a personal injury attorney if you need to file a bad faith claim against your insurance company. This states that you believe the insurance company is behaving with gross negligence regarding your claim by not paying the amount that is duly owed under the policy coverage according to the extent of your losses.

While dealing with insurance companies can be stressful, it is important to get started on your car accident claim or personal injury claim as soon as possible in order to receive your settlement offer.

Is Oklahoma a No-Fault Insurance State?

No, Oklahoma is not a no-fault insurance state. In the state of Oklahoma, they use “modified comparative negligence”. Basically, if you are considered at fault for any portion of the wreck, you may not be compensated unless it is less than the amount of damage the other driver is responsible for. Your compensation may be reduced by the percentage that you are found to be responsible.

In Oklahoma all motorists are required to carry liability insurance at the very least. Underinsured or uninsured motorists can face a $250 fine for not being able to show proof of insurance. This also means that injury victims may have to go to court in order to receive compensation that is usually covered mostly by insurance companies.

What Is Oklahoma’s Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims?

A statute of limitation is the amount of time from the date of the accident that a person or a family member has to file a suit or a claim with the court. These are very strict and rigid deadlines. If you miss the window of opportunity for filing, you do not get another chance. To make sure you do not miss out on these time limitations, use LegalFinders to find a personal injury lawyer today.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, according to Oklahoma personal injury law you have up to two years from the day the accident occurs to file a claim to recover for the losses from the accident. In the tragic event that someone dies either at the scene of the crash or later on as the direct result of injuries sustained in the crash, the deadline for filing a wrongful death case is two years from the date of the death.

Auto accidents take place every day, leaving many car wreck victims wondering what their next step should be. If you have been involved in a car accident in Oklahoma, you have options! LegalFinders was created with you in mind. LegalFinders helps to connect car accident victims with specialized lawyers in the local area. Note: LegalFinders is not limited to the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area. If you are in need of legal representation, use LegalFinders today!

Oklahoma car accident

Oklahoma Car Crash Statistics

Unfortunately, car accidents have become a normal, every day part of driving in the United States. When you take the test and receive your driver’s license, you are agreeing to follow the laws and rules of the road the same as everyone else. Unfortunately, not everyone who drives is licensed, nor does every licensed driver understand the gravity of failing to obey traffic laws. In 2020, Oklahoma reported a total of 8,609 car accidents. There were 10,644 injuries related to auto accidents and 654 people lost their lives. Oklahoma also reported 1,231 motorcycle accidents, resulting in the tragic deaths of 62 motorcyclists. The following cities were picked randomly to show what car accidents are like around the state as of 2020:

Broken Arrow auto accidents

315

resulting in 434 injuries and 3 fatalities

Edmond, Oklahoma car wrecks

160

with 1 person killed and 201 people injured

Norman car accidents

315

there were 351 injuries and 14 people lost their lives

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma car accidents

1,528

resulting 1,861 injuries and 79 fatalities

Tulsa car accidents

1,321

62 fatalities were reported as well as 1,663 injuries

While the accident numbers may look different in various cities, certain types of car accidents are consistently occurring. The following are some of the most commonly reported car accidents:

  • Hit-and-run accidents, in which someone leaves the scene after causing an accident.
  • Big truck accidents which occur frequently with large commercial trucks trying to navigate around smaller vehicles.
  • Rear-end collisions occur when a driver is following another vehicle too close and does not have enough time to stop.
  • Red light accidents happen frequently with people who are trying not to miss the yellow light signal.
  • Distracted driver accidents which occur when a negligent driver fails to give their full attention to the task at hand: safely operating a motor vehicle.
  • Drunk driving accidents which occur often when people ignore signs that they have had too much to drink and decide to get behind the wheel.

No matter what type of car accident you may be involved in, the first step after receiving medical care is using LegalFinders to find the best car accident attorney in Oklahoma!

 

Most Dangerous Oklahoma Roadways

The reality is that any road can become dangerous when there are drivers who are unwilling to follow the rules of the road. Oftentimes drivers are distracted by phones, passengers, the radio, etc. It is so important that when you get in your car, you are prepared to remain focused on the road and free from distraction.

Even though any road can become hazardous when drivers are not paying attention, the following highways are considered to be the most dangerous for motorists in Oklahoma:

Highways
I-35
I-40
I-235
State Highway 9
Turner Turnpike

Remember, when you are on the road, you must remain vigilant. It is up to everyone to do their part to make sure Oklahoma’s roads are safe.

Connect with LegalFinders to Find the Best Oklahoma Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a family member have been involved in a car accident, you can easily become overwhelmed with the insurance and court processes. You do not have to do it alone, however. LegalFinders was created to help people in need of legal representation or legal advice find a reputable law office in their area. If you are interested in a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer about your car accident case, use LegalFinders to find an attorney you can call today!

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Published: 21 March 2022

ARTICLE SOURCES

Legal Information Institute — Personal injury

Oklahoma Highway Safety Office — 2020 Oklahoma Crash Facts

Oklahoma Highway Safety Office — Crash Data

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