Have you been injured in a car accident in Oklahoma City? Call an Oklahoma City car accident lawyer from Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your options. You could be entitled to compensation for your damages. Contact us today at (405) 497-0480 to get started. We offer a free initial consultation.
Since our founding, Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers has represented traffic accident victims across Oklahoma City. Our experienced car accident attorneys bring over 95 years of combined experience to every case. We work with accident victims to get the money they need and deserve from those responsible.
How Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Oklahoma City?
Traffic accident victims face many uncertainties. Injuries may require ongoing treatment, and medical bills may quickly mount. Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers have obtained more than $100 million for our clients to date. We’re passionate about helping accident victims in the area and are confident we can help you, too.
At Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers, we can assist with the following:
- Evaluation: We will assess the strengths and weaknesses. We can also help determine the value of your claim based on evidence and medical records.
- Investigation: Our attorneys will investigate your accident. This involves reviewing accident reports, medical records, photographs, and other evidence that’s available. We will also interview witnesses and consult with experts.
- Claim Handling: We will compile, submit, and manage your insurance claim.
- Negotiation: We negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair settlements. We help you avoid low-value claims by knowing how adjusters determine your settlement offer so we can maximize your monetary award.
- Courtroom Representation: Our attorneys will represent you through litigation. From initiating a complaint to conducting discovery and litigating at trial if that’s necessary, we will present the best arguments to the judge or jury.
Contact our experienced attorneys in Oklahoma City, OK, today to learn how we can help. Your first consultation is complimentary, and there are no strings attached.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Oklahoma City, OK?
According to statistics, crashes are increasingly common. As the largest city in Oklahoma, Oklahoma City sees its fair share of collisions. According to a study by the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, there were 18,935 car crashes in 2021.
Drivers and passengers sustained injuries in hundreds of these instances. The probability of getting injured in an accident can be high, depending on the circumstances.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you work with a car accident attorney in Oklahoma City, you stand the best chance of recovering maximum compensation. This is true even after the lawyer’s fees are deducted. Consider that:
- Insurance companies have legal departments dedicated to helping them escape or minimize liability. Hiring a litigator lets you even the playing field, as they can negotiate on your behalf and represent your interests effectively.
- Most likely, you’ll be blamed for your car accident. Your legal representation can respond to these allegations and minimize the amount of fault assigned to you. Otherwise, you risk losing some (or even all, potentially) of your compensation.
- An experienced car accident attorney can handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on healing. This includes all the paperwork, communications, negotiations, and much more.
- It may be necessary to use expert assistance for your case to prove its validity or demonstrate its value. Attorneys have established relationships with leading experts who can assist with your case as needed.
These are just a few reasons why hiring an attorney may be in your best interest. Get in touch with us if you’d like to learn more.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Car Accident?
If you believe that another party is at fault for your car accident, you may be eligible to receive different compensation. In personal injury law, compensation is often called “damages.” Economic and non-economic damages are the two main categories of damages you can receive. Here is a breakdown of potential damages:
- Medical Expenses: This covers bills for hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and related expenses. Future medical expenses related to your accident may also be considered.
- Lost Wages: If you miss work due to your accident, you can be compensated for lost income. However, sometimes permanent injuries forever restrict our ability to work. If your ability to work in the future is impaired from the accident, you may also collect damages for lost earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: This refers to the physical harm and emotional distress you endure due to the accident. Damages for pain and suffering will look at the effects of your accident. Victims often experience trauma, anxiety, depression, or diminished quality of life.
- Property Damage: You can be reimbursed for the repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.
- Loss of Consortium: You may receive compensation for your accident’s adverse effects on your relationship with a spouse.
- Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are not meant to compensate you directly. Rather, they are designed to punish the responsible party for reckless or malicious behavior. Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases where the conduct was especially egregious.
Our Oklahoma City, OK, car crash lawyers will fight to help you identify the damages you can receive in your case.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
Each case’s value is based, in significant part, on the unique facts and circumstances involved in the situation. We undertake a comprehensive evaluation so that we can help our clients obtain as much as possible.
Factors that can determine how much your case is worth include:
- The kinds of injuries you’ve sustained and their severity
- Whether you contributed to the cause of your collision
- The extent of your financial losses and other economic damages
- Whether there is enough evidence to back up your claim
- The nature of your non-economic damages, such as your emotional distress
- The identity of the at-fault party
The skills and experience of your team can also play a role in how much your case is worth. For instance, a qualified attorney can work with experts (like accident reconstructionists) to help bolster it as necessary throughout the process.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car crash lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only collect payment if they recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. The amount is generally between 33% and 40% of the financial recovery. Thanks to these agreements, accident victims can avoid additional bills and focus on their recovery.
At Laird Hammons Laird Personal Injury Lawyers, we will review the details of contingency fee representation with you at an initial consultation. You can also secure our help without paying anything upfront.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes in Oklahoma City can result in life-changing injuries. We successfully practice personal injury law and are capable of helping you after any type of harm, including the following:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Lacerations and road rash
- Eye injuries
- Airbag injuries
- Paralysis
- Chest injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Knee injuries
- Amputations
- Wrongful death of a family member
We’re highly passionate about advocating for accident victims and will work hard to help you secure money damages for all of your injuries. Call today to schedule your consultation and begin the practice of moving forward.
What Causes Car Accidents in Oklahoma City, OK?
Car accidents have many causes, including the following:
- Distracted Driving
- Driving Under the Influence
- Speeding
- Reckless Driving
- Weather Conditions
- Poor Road Conditions
- Fatigue
Understanding these causes is crucial in reducing accidents and their severity in Oklahoma City.
We Handle All Types of Car Accident Cases in Oklahoma City
With nearly a century of combined experience, our car accident lawyers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, are equipped to assist you. Some of the primary types of car accident claims we handle include but are not limited to, the following.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Driving while distraced is a serious issue, especially when it comes to cell phone use. Contact our Oklahoma City distracted driving accident lawyers for help.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions can sometimes cause serious harm. If you were involved in this sort of crash, reach out to our Oklahoma City rear-end accident lawyers to review your options.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Driving under the influence is a major problem across the country, and OKC is no exception. Call our experienced Oklahoma City drunk driving accident attorneys for help pursuing justice.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes can be among the most severe, leading to life-threatening harm. Contact our Oklahoma City head-on crash lawyers to learn about your best next steps.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
It can be difficult to understand what to do next after a hit-and-run accident, but you might still have options. Our Oklahoma City hit-and-run accident lawyers can look into your situation.
Intersection Accidents
A high number of crashes take place at intersections. If you were injured in an intersection collision, contact our trusted Oklahoma City intersection crash attorneys for help.
No matter the type of car accident you’ve been involved in, we can assist you through the process of getting justly compensated. Send us a message online or give us a call today to book your evaluation.
Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries Resulting From a Car Accident?
Under state law, just about anyone who contributed to the cause of your crash could be liable. Examples of parties you may be able to hold legally responsible include:
- Other drivers and/or their insurance companies
- Government entities (for example, if your collision was due to poor road upkeep)
- Pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and passengers
- Employers of motorists who were working at the time of the crash
- Businesses, such as the manufacturer or retailer of a defective part
The facts will determine who is liable. During your no-cost consultation, we can review your options and provide initial legal advice.
Do I Have To Go To Court for My Car Accident Case?
It’s highly unlikely. Most car accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations and don’t require pursuing a lawsuit.
That said, in some circumstances, it could benefit you to go to trial. For example, if the at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement or negotiate in good faith, filing a lawsuit might be best.
Once a lawsuit is filed, your attorney will proceed with pretrial discovery. This is a process by which information is exchanged between the parties involved, and it might reveal further details to support your claim.
Furthermore, litigation requires extensive time and resources – efforts that the other party might not want to make. As a result, simply filing a lawsuit or having legal representation on your side with substantial trial experience could lead to a willingness to pay and a higher settlement offer as well.
How To Deal With the Insurance Company
Almost every car crash involves an insurance company to one degree or another. These are for-profit businesses that want to make as much money as possible – not pay you fully for your losses.
It’s important to keep in mind that the insurance company is not on your side. On the contrary, they’ll utilize various tactics designed to shield them from liability for your claim so they can avoid having to pay.
As a result, it’s best to proceed very cautiously when dealing with the insurance company. For instance, do not agree to give a recorded statement without seeking legal advice first. In addition, be careful about saying anything that might be construed as accepting blame for the collision.
Ideally, you would leave all of the communications and negotiations with the insurance company to your attorney. A skilled law office can appropriately represent your interests, ensuring you aren’t taken advantage of.
How Do I Prove Negligence in a Car Accident Claim?
Negligence generally refers to someone’s failure to behave with the level of care that’s expected. A negligent driver is someone who did not exercise the appropriate care and caution that a reasonable driver would have shown, causing an accident.
To prove negligence, four key elements must be established:
- Duty of Care: You must establish that the defendant owed a duty to you. All drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles with caution and attention to avoid causing harm to others.
- Breach of Duty: You must demonstrate that the defendant breached their duty. For example, if a driver were texting while driving and caused an accident, they would likely be deemed to have breached their duty.
- Causation: You must prove that the defendant’s negligence directly caused your accident. This can be challenging if multiple factors contribute to the accident. Using the texting example, you must show that the defendant’s texting was a direct cause of the crash, not some other factor.
- Damages: You must show that you suffered actual damages. This includes physical harm, property damage, or financial losses. Damages must be the result of the defendant’s negligence.
We can help you establish negligence. This typically requires reviewing police reports, witness statements, and photographs. We will also review medical records and consult experts to testify about your injuries and prognosis.
What if I’m Partly Responsible for My Car Accident?
You may believe you are partly responsible if you are involved in a car accident in Oklahoma City, OK. It is important to know that Oklahoma operates under a “modified comparative negligence” system.
This means that as long the judge or jury finds you were 50% or less responsible, you can still get damages. However, your compensation would be reduced by the responsibility attributed to you. If you are found more than 50 percent responsible, you will be barred from recovering any damages.
An experienced attorney can advocate for you and work to ensure you aren’t assigned undue blame for your crash.
How Long Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma?
The time limit to file a lawsuit after a car accident, known as the statute of limitations, differs nationwide. In Oklahoma, you have two years from the accident date to file a claim for personal injuries or wrongful death. If you miss this deadline, you can lose the opportunity to seek compensation.
There are some specific circumstances under which this time limit might be extended, such as governmental entities, with shortened statutes of limitations. Our Oklahoma City, OK, injury attorneys will evaluate your claim to determine the applicable deadlines.
Most Dangerous Intersections
Based on statistics from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), these are some of the most dangerous intersections in OKC:
- I-44 & NW 39th Expressway
- I-40 & Choctaw Rd
- I-40 & I-44
- I-44 & I-235
- I-240 & US 77
- I-35 & I-240
- Western Ave & Reno Ave
- SW 44th St & Johnston Dr
- SW 59t St & S Western Ave
- NW 39th St & N Land Ave
- NW 39th St & N St Claire Ave
- NW 39th St & Lake Hefner Parkway
Accidents can occur even when taking all the right precautions. Fortunately, you may have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault party, regardless of where your crash took place.
What To Do After a Car Accident
The initial moments after a collision are often overwhelming and stressful. At the same time, there are certain things you should do (and refrain from doing) to protect yourself and your legal interests. These steps include:
- After you get to safety, call 911 and report the crash to the police. Law enforcement will arrive at the scene and create a police report, which can help support your claim. This step is also required by Oklahoma law in many instances.
- Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver(s) involved in the crash.
- Collect evidence at the scene if you can, such as taking photos and videos. You might also gather information from any eyewitnesses, as well as note whether any nearby surveillance equipment might have caught the wreck.
- Be sure not to apologize or accept blame for the crash, as doing so could jeopardize your pursuit of compensation.
- Get prompt medical treatment, even if you aren’t clearly injured. Many kinds of medical issues won’t present symptoms at the scene, and medical records can support your case.
From there, consult with an OKC car accident attorney who can review your situation and advise you on how best to proceed.
Contact Our Experienced Oklahoma City Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review
With over 95 years of combined experience, we have seen the toll of crashes on victims and their family members. Our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys have the compassion, expertise, and legal skills to help you hold responsible parties accountable.
If you or a family member has been injured in a car crash, contact our team at (405) 497-0480 and schedule a complimentary consultation with us today. Our team is ready to help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve.
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Additional Car Accident Resources & Information
- Oklahoma Speeding Laws
- Government Vehicle Accidents
- Can an Auto Mechanic Be Held Liable for Negligence?
- Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident
- What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident
Local Auto Repair Shops Near You
- Christian Brothers Automotive – 10311 S Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73139
- The SouthSide Garage – 9117 S Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73139
- OKC Auto Works – 601 SE 89th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73149
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Car Accident Infographic
