Were you injured in a car accident in Oklahoma City, OK? If so, you may be able to recover compensation for your accident and injuries. The Oklahoma City car accident lawyers at Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue a claim. Contact us at (405) 703-4567 to schedule a free consultation.
Our legal team has 95 years of combined experience. With over $100 million recovered, we’ll fight to recover a financial award that reflects all your losses. You can count on us to handle every step of the legal process while you recover from your injuries.
Why Should I Choose Laird Hammons Laird for Legal Help After a Car Accident in Oklahoma City?
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of a car accident in Oklahoma, having the support of an experienced lawyer is crucial. The insurance company may be trying to get you to accept an unfair offer, but we’re prepared to protect your legal rights and negotiate aggressively with them.
Over the years, our experienced car accident attorneys have recovered fair compensation for our clients. We have a reputation for providing compassionate service and uncompromising advocacy to all of our clients.
Additionally, injury victims who hire a lawyer often recover significantly more compensation than victims who represent themselves. We won’t back down from powerful insurance companies or negligent drivers — we’ll work diligently to hold them accountable for the full range of your damages.
Contact Laird Hammons Laird today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers.
Why Should I Hire an Oklahoma City Car Accident Attorney?
Following a car accident, you may be unsure of the next steps to take.
Here’s why hiring a lawyer should be one of your top priorities:
- You’ll level the playing field. Insurance companies are often represented by top-rated lawyers and have seemingly endless funds to throw at claims. By hiring a distinguished attorney, you’ll level the playing field, as they will act in your best interests.
- You’ll have access to a network of experts. Law firms have a network of experts that they can call upon to prove the legitimacy or the value of your case. Medical providers, accident reconstructionists, and financial experts are just some of the expert witnesses they can call upon to bolster your case.
- You’ll be protected from unreasonable allegations of fault. The defendant and their insurance company may look for opportunities to shift the blame to you for the accident. A lawyer can work to minimize your degree of responsibility for the accident.
- You’ll be able to focus on healing. While your attorney takes care of your claim, you can focus on healing from your car accident-related injuries and getting back into your daily routines.
These are just a few of the many benefits of working with a lawyer. If you have any questions about how we can help you, don’t be afraid to give us a call.
How Much Money Can I Get From a Car Accident Case?
There are many factors that can affect your financial recovery in your case, including:
- The Severity of Your Injuries: This is the most critical factor in determining the value of your case. For instance, a victim who is suffering from a traumatic brain injury will be able to recover more than someone who broke their wrist.
- Your Age and Health at the Time of the Accident: A younger worker may be eligible to recover more in lost earning capacity than an elderly worker who is nearing retirement. Similarly, someone who is in good health prior to an accident may experience more disruption to their life than someone with pre-existing conditions.
- Whether You Are Suffering From a Temporary or Permanent Disability: The more your life is impacted after an accident, the greater the potential compensation you can receive.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage will dictate how much you can recover from your accident, unless an uninsured driver is involved or we find alternative sources of compensation.
- Whether You Are Partially at Fault for the Accident: If you are partially at fault for your accident, you won’t be able to recover as much money for your losses.
- Whether Your Case Settles or Goes to Trial: Accepting a settlement offer is often more efficient and less costly than going to trial. However, you may get a higher financial award from a jury verdict.
While every case is different, it’s important for you to recognize the full scope of your losses before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company. Many victims underestimate the actual value of the damages they are entitled to by overlooking the psychological effects of their accident.
At Laird Hammons Laird, we’ll look at all the relevant factors in your case to determine how much it is worth. Whether you need ongoing physical therapy or major reconstructive surgery, we will fight to recover every dollar you are owed. Don’t settle your case before speaking with one of our highly respected lawyers.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Oklahoma City Car Accident Victims?
If you can prove your case, you’ll be able to recover economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are tangible losses that are easier to calculate because they have documentation, such as receipts, bills, and invoices supporting them.
Common types of economic damages that you may be able to recover are:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are also known as “pain and suffering damages” because they address the intangible losses (i.e., the psychological effects) of accidents.
Here are some examples of these damages:
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Chronic pain
- Reduced quality of life
- Lacerations and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Oklahoma law also allows for the recovery of punitive damages in certain cases. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the defendant for their malicious, reckless, or egregious conduct and deter them from similar behavior in the future. These damages are capped at the greater of $100,000 or the amount of actual damages awarded.
Once we have calculated all of your damages, we’ll provide you with an estimate of the value of your case so that you have realistic expectations about what an ideal outcome would be.
Can I Receive Compensation if I Was Partially At Fault for a Car Accident in OKC?
Even if you were partially at fault, you may be able to recover compensation under Oklahoma’s modified comparative fault standard. As long as your degree of fault does not exceed 50%, you can still receive a financial award.
For example, if you were awarded $100,000 in damages but were found to be 40% at fault, you would only be able to recover $60,000 in damages. However, if you were found to be 65% at fault, you would receive nothing.
The insurance adjuster who is working on your claim may look to exploit Oklahoma’s comparative negligence laws on behalf of their employer. We are committed to ensuring that all the parties who contributed to your accident are held accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Under Oklahoma law, car accident victims typically have up to two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time frame is the same for wrongful death lawsuits.
There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, especially if a government entity or a minor is involved. However, the last thing you want is to miss the deadline and forfeit your opportunity to recover your losses.
Our legal team will make sure that all applicable deadlines are met in your case to preserve your right to pursue the compensation you are owed.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
There is no need for you to worry about affording legal representation. The vast majority of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only have to pay your attorney if they win your case. If they lose your case, you won’t owe them anything.
Under this fee arrangement, there are no upfront costs or hourly fees. You will pay your attorney a percentage of the car accident settlement or verdict you receive.
Contingency fees make legal services accessible to everyone. They ensure that the client’s and the lawyer’s interests are aligned.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help Me?
A car accident lawyer can help you in a number of ways, such as:
- Investigating your accident
- Determining who was liable for the crash
- Calculating all your damages
- Gathering evidence, such as medical records, phone records, and eyewitness statements
- Handling communications with the defendant and their insurance company
- Engaging in settlement negotiations
- Taking your case to trial if a settlement cannot be reached
Recovering after an accident is already difficult enough; you don’t need the added burden of managing the claims process. Your attorney can handle your case from the initial consultation through settlement or trial.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
The chances of your case going to trial are low. In fact, according to a well-known study by the U.S. Department of Justice, only between 4% and 5% of personal injury cases go to trial. Settling cases generally reduces costs, saves time, and minimizes risk. However, one of the major benefits of going to trial is that it can result in higher compensation.
As your case progresses, we’ll remain in close contact with you. If you prefer that we settle your case, we are capable of negotiating a fair settlement. But if settlement negotiations are unsuccessful, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for a favorable verdict.
Types of Car Accident Claims We Handle
Our versatile attorneys handle all types of car accident claims. Here are some of our primary practice areas:
Distracted Driving Accidents
In 2023 alone, distracted driving claimed 3,275 lives. Common distractions in the car include making phone calls, texting, talking with passengers, and messing with the radio. These preventable accidents can result in severe injuries. Our distracted driving accident lawyers can help you assess your options.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end crashes often happen suddenly and unexpectedly. These accidents are often caused by speeding, sudden stopping, or tailgating. Our Oklahoma City rear-end crash attorneys can help you determine who is liable for the accident and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Intersection Accidents
Approaching a busy intersection can be risky because other vehicles are coming from multiple directions. T-bones and multi-vehicle crashes at intersections can cause catastrophic injuries. Our Oklahoma City intersection accident attorneys can give you sound legal advice and work together with you to build a strong case.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions accounted for almost 30% of all fatalities from car accidents in the U.S. in 2023. These accidents frequently result in injuries and deaths. If you have been in a head-on collision, you need the support of one of our Oklahoma City head-on collision lawyers.
Drunk Driving Crashes
Drunk driving can affect a person’s judgment, muscle coordination, and reaction time while they are on the road. You may be entitled to a substantial financial award if you were involved in an accident caused by a drunk driver.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
After a hit-and-run accident, you may feel frustrated and confused about your next steps. If the at-fault driver cannot be identified, you can still recover damages through your uninsured motorist insurance policy. Additionally, your collision coverage can help pay for vehicle repairs. Our attorneys can walk you through the legal process.
Other types of accidents include rollover accidents, parking lot accidents, and sideswipe accidents. Regardless of your circumstances, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We can help you determine whether you have a case and answer any questions you may have.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes can result in a wide range of injuries. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Amputations
- Knee injuries
- Organ failure
- Eye injuries
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Paralysis
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Some injuries require short-term medical treatment, while others require lifelong care. In many cases, victims not only suffer physically, but emotionally as well. We’ll pursue maximum compensation for your car accident claim.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
In the wake of a car accident, you may be tempted to panic, but remaining calm is in your best interest. Here are some other steps you should take:
- Call the police. The police will arrive at the scene and create a police report, which can be helpful for your claim. In many cases, this step is required under Oklahoma law.
- Move to a safe location. If possible, move your vehicle away from traffic so as to prevent other accidents.
- Exchange information with the other driver. Collect names, contact details, insurance policy information, and driver’s license numbers.
- Document the accident scene. Take pictures and videos of the accident, as these pieces of evidence can be used to support your case.
- Avoid admitting fault. Doing so could jeopardize your claim. Instead, focus on giving direct answers to questions.
- Notify your insurance company. Many insurance companies have deadlines for filing insurance claims. You don’t want to miss out on your right to compensation.
- Seek immediate medical attention. Even if you don’t think you’ve been injured, it is possible that symptoms may appear later. Taking this precaution is crucial for your health.
After you have completed these steps, you should consult with an attorney. They can look into your situation and give you honest feedback.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
The most common causes of auto accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Poor weather conditions
- Improper lane changes
- Vehicle defects or malfunctions
- Drowsy driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Poor road maintenance
If any of these factors have contributed to your accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Our Oklahoma car accident attorneys have the experience and resources to provide you with comprehensive legal representation.
What Is Negligence, and How Do I Prove It?
Negligence is the legal basis for most car accidents. In simple terms, someone is negligent when they have failed to uphold their duty of care toward others.
There are four elements that must be established in any negligence-based claim, which are:
- Duty of Care: The other driver had a legal obligation to drive safely and follow all traffic laws.
- Breach of Duty: The other driver breached their duty of care toward you. Examples of typical breaches include drinking while driving, failing to yield at a stop sign, or speeding.
- Causation: The driver directly caused the accident.
- Damages: You suffered actual losses (e.g., physical injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering) as a result of the other driver’s conduct.
Proving negligence often involves a meticulous investigation. Our legal team will collect and collate evidence to prove your case.
Evidence that we may use includes:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Phone records
- Medical records
- Bank statements
- Expert testimony
There is a strong possibility that the insurance company will dispute one or more elements of your claim, especially causation. That’s why it’s important to have a skilled attorney on your side to build a strong, evidence-based case.
Oklahoma City Car Accident Statistics
OKC saw a total of 1,700 crashes in 2021, which resulted in 2,096 injured people and 99 fatalities. Within this scope, 123 unrestrained people were injured, and 27 more were killed.
Oklahoma, as a state, had 9,360 crashes in 2021, which resulted in 11,619 injured people and 259 fatalities.
A comparison with statewide statistics shows that Oklahoma City accounted for just over 18% of motor vehicle accidents in 2021.
Most Dangerous Intersections in Oklahoma City
According to data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), these are some of the most dangerous intersections in the area:
- I-44 & NW 39th Expressway
- I-44 & I-235
- I-240 & US 77
- I-35 & I-240
- Western Ave & Reno Ave
- SW 44th St & Johnston Dr
- SW 59th St & S Western Ave
- NW 39th St & N St Claire Ave
- NW 39th St & Lake Hefner Parkway
- NW 39th St & N Land Ave
An accident can occur even if you have taken all necessary safety precautions. We’ll support you in your pursuit of compensation from the at-fault party.
Call Our Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
Trying to rebuild your life after a car accident can take a physical and emotional toll. Laird Hammons Laird is here to provide you with compassionate legal representation.
Our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys have nearly a century of combined legal experience. Having recovered over $100 million and counting for our clients, we are committed to delivering relentless advocacy on your behalf.
Contact our law office in OKC to schedule a free initial consultation.
Car Accident Infographic
