Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident in Tulsa can be one of the most traumatic moments that a person can endure. Some might say that the survivors of these accidents are the lucky ones. While this may be true, the consequences of a car accident may permanently alter a victim’s life to the point where they can no longer enjoy their old hobbies or earn a reliable income. Faced with these issues and many others, victims may consider the benefits of working alongside a car accident in Tulsa. If you are wondering whether you may be eligible for compensation, be sure to get in touch with the McGuire Law Firm for personalized assistance and targeted guidance.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Tulsa Help Me?

The greater metropolitan area of Tulsa is home to over a million residents, while the city itself houses about 400,000 people. Settled in the early 1800s, Tulsa eventually developed a major energy sector before branching out into finance, telecommunications, and technology. Recently, the city has invested in its transport sector, creating a number of bike trails and bike lanes. It is also one of the most walkable cities in the nation and has a total of 97 buses on 19 different routes. That being said, many people in Tulsa still rely on their cars for transport, and these residents are no strangers to car accidents. If you have been injured in a Tulsa car accident, you might be wondering how a car accident lawyer in Tulsa can help you. Their assistance depends entirely on your unique situation, and the only real way to find out how they can help you is to book a consultation with one. That being said, there are a few general strategies that injury lawyers employ when guiding their clients toward fair compensation:
  • Assessing your unique needs during a consultation
  • Determining who you should sue for the best results
  • Helping you choose between filing an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit
  • Investigating the circumstances of your car accident
  • Gathering documents and evidence to support your claims
  • Negotiating with insurance providers and defendants for fair settlements
  • Advising you on when to accept or refuse settlement offers
  • Filing documents with the court
  • Filing appeals
  • Representing you during personal injury trials if necessary
Note that in the vast majority of cases, a personal injury trial is not necessary. Over 90% of all civil claims are settled out of court. When you “settle,” it means that you accept a sum of money in exchange for promising not to take further legal action. If the settlement offer is enough to cover your various damages, there is nothing wrong with this option. In fact, it helps you avoid a time-consuming, stressful trial. In other situations, however, a trial will be unavoidable. For example, the defendant may refuse to negotiate or accept that your injuries are legitimate. They may also offer you a settlement that is far too low to cover your damages while stubbornly refusing to increase the offer. In this case, your car accident lawyer in Tulsa will represent you in court and help you convince a judge that you deserve a settlement. A jury may also play a role in awarding you a sum of money. This sum may be more or less than the initial settlement offer. This degree of risk is why most injury lawyers encourage their clients to play it safe and settle out of court if at all possible.

Types of Car Accidents in Tulsa

Car accidents come in many different forms. Regardless of how your accident occurred, injured parties should always consider their legal options and the possibility of receiving compensation for damages. With that said, here are a few examples of car accidents in Tulsa:
  • Rear-end accident
  • Head-on collision
  • T-bone accident
  • Left-hand turn accident
  • Chain-reaction crash
  • Truck accident
  • Bicycle accident
  • Pedestrian accident
  • Rideshare accident
  • Taxi accident
As you can see, car accidents may be caused by a wide range of factors and vehicles. Some accidents are truly accidental in nature, with no one to blame. However, these collisions are quite rare, and usually, negligence plays at least some role in the accident. Negligence is an important concept when it comes to car accidents, especially when you consider that Oklahoma is an “at-fault” state. This means that in order to receive compensation, you generally need to establish that someone else is to blame for your crash. If you cannot establish negligence, it may be difficult to get the compensation you need. Here are a few examples of how crashes may be caused by negligence:
  • Crashes caused by distracted drivers
    • Texting and driving
    • Doing makeup while driving
    • Eating while driving
    • Watching videos while driving
    • Playing video games while driving
    • Reading while driving
    • Surfing the web while driving
    • Playing with the radio while driving
    • Distracted by GPS software
  • Crashes caused by intoxicated drivers
    • Drinking before driving
    • Drinking while driving
    • Smoking marijuana while driving
    • Smoking marijuana before driving
    • Ingesting marijuana
    • Taking legal or illegal prescription drugs before driving
    • Taking illicit drugs before driving
  • Crashes caused by reckless drivers
    • Speeding
    • Street racing
    • Tailgating
    • Brake-checking
    • Failing to indicate
    • Not staying within the correct lane
    • Failing to read clear road signage
    • Failing to shoulder check
  • Crashes caused by commercial vehicles
    • Semi-truck accidents caused by negligent truckers
    • Rideshare accidents caused by negligent Uber drivers
    • Taxi accidents caused by negligent taxi drivers
  • Crashes caused by mechanical issues:
    • Crashes caused by manufacturing defects
    • Crashes caused by improper maintenance
    • Brake failure
    • Airbag defects
    • Faulty self-driving software
If you even remotely suspect that negligence may have caused your accident, it is worth getting in touch with a qualified, experienced car accident attorney in Tulsa. These legal professionals can help you determine exactly what caused your accident and who is to blame.

What Damages Can I Claim After a Tulsa Accident?

“Damages” in a car accident case represent all of your various losses. These are the hardships you have been forced to endure as a result of your accident. Your compensation depends on your damages, so it makes sense to determine exactly what kinds of losses you may have experienced. There are two main categories when it comes to damages:
  • Economic Damages
  • Non-Economic Damages
Economic damages are relatively easy to calculate since they represent financial losses. These damages might include medical expenses, missed wages, and funeral expenses. The latter damage only applies to wrongful death lawsuits, which family members file after losing loved ones. Non-economic damages are slightly more complex since they deal with emotional issues rather than numerical values. While it may be easy to determine how much you paid for your medical expenses by simply showing the court a receipt, the same cannot be said for damages such as PTSD, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. That being said, non-economic damages still deserve compensation despite the difficulty in assessing their true value. In fact, non-economic damages can push settlements much higher. Examples of non-economic damages include:
  • PTSD
  • Depression
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Anxiety
  • Humiliation
  • Emotional distress
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Disfigurement

What Injuries Lead to Car Accident Injury Claims in Tulsa?

Virtually any injury can lead to a car accident injury claim in Tulsa. Even relatively minor injuries, such as a laceration, can be compensated. However, you must document these injuries if you wish to receive compensation for them. In other words, you need to get medical attention as soon as possible after your accident, as this will create a set of medical records that prove your injuries actually occurred. Examples of car accident injuries include: Although the costs associated with your medical care may seem daunting, you should always do your best to treat your injuries with help from medical professionals. Do not refuse treatment at the scene of the crash, and play it safe. Even if you feel sure that you have emerged from the crash unscathed, you might not notice some injuries until later. Adrenaline can numb your pain, and head injuries may lead to memory loss. A car crash can easily cause a brain bleed or another serious injury that becomes progressively worse with time without you realizing it. Getting treatment also ensures you have the evidence you need to proceed with your claim.

Suing for Head Injuries After a Tulsa Car Accident

Head injuries can be an especially serious consequence of car accidents in Tulsa. These accidents have the potential to completely alter a victim’s life in a number of different ways, affecting not only their physical well-being but also their mental health. Examples of brain injuries in car accidents include:
  • Concussions
  • TBIs
  • Contusions
  • Penetrating brain injuries
  • Hematomas
  • Brain bleeds
Brain injuries can also lead to a wide range of health issues, including:
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Social withdrawal
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Personality changes
  • Loss of motor control
  • Vision issues
  • Balance issues
  • Hearing issues
  • Cognitive decline
  • Memory loss
  • Deterioration of relationships
Unfortunately, many brain injuries become progressively worse with time. This is why it is so important to get in touch with a car accident attorney in Tulsa and get the treatment you need after your brain injury. CT scans and other tests can help determine the extent of your brain injury, allowing you to pursue fair compensation.

Suing for Disfigurement After a Tulsa Car Accident

Unfortunately, many Tulsa car accidents may also lead to disfigurement. This can occur in many different ways, including burns, scars, amputation, and more. People take immense pride in their appearances, and some even rely on their self-image for employment. For example, TV hosts, real estate agents, actors, hosts, and servers all may have difficulty earning income after a disfiguring injury. This is why it is so important to pursue compensation after your accident. Filing an injury lawsuit can provide you with compensation for the mental health and career-related issues associated with your disfigurement.

Suing for Whiplash After a Tulsa Car Accident

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries suffered by car accident victims in Tulsa. Although many victims simply “shrug it off,” whiplash can lead to months of discomfort, stress, and mobility issues. There is no reason to accept these losses if your car accident was caused by someone else. Even though whiplash is generally seen as a minor injury, it may still be eligible for compensation. Sometimes, whiplash can be quite serious. Victims may have trouble moving their heads for weeks after the initial crash, leaving them unable to earn incomes. They may also need extensive medical treatment, including chiropractic care, rehabilitative exercises, and so on. Even if you miss a few weeks of work, this can equate to thousands of dollars in missed wages for high-earning Tulsa residents. There is no need to accept these losses if someone else is to blame. When you consider that whiplash is generally caused by rear-end accidents, there is a strong chance that your whiplash was indeed caused by another negligent driver. It is a well-known fact that when one car rear-ends another, it is the rear vehicle that is at fault. No matter how slowly the front car was driving, the rear car is always responsible for allowing enough space between bumpers. If a rear-end accident occurs, it is usually because the rear car was following too closely.

Where Can I Find a Car Accident Lawyer in Tulsa?

If you have been searching for a car accident lawyer in Tulsa, be sure to get in touch with the McGuire Law Firm at your earliest convenience. We know that accidents in Tulsa have the potential to drastically alter victims’ lives. While these consequences can be difficult to handle, victims are not alone. Turn to a car accident lawyer in Tulsa, and you can immediately receive targeted guidance based on your unique situation. The first step is to contact us and book a consultation. From there, you can explore your options for compensation and justice. Time is of the essence, so reach out today.

Frequently Asked Questions for a Tulsa Car Accident Attorney

How long do you have to file a police report after a car accident in Oklahoma?

After a car accident you need to contact the police if someone was injured right away. You should not delay contacting the police. It will then be their job to file a police report. You will want to obtain a copy of the police report as it will help as evidence in your car accident case.

What evidence should I try to gather at the scene of the accident?

After a car accident it is important to get as much evidence as possible. If you are not severely injured and are able to you should exchange contact information and insurance information with the other party involved. You should also take any photographs of any injuries you can see on yourself, photographs of both cars and the scene of the accident. If there was anyone around it is a good idea to try to get a statement from them as well as their contact information.

I was involved in a car accident but I don’t feel pain, should I still seek medical attention?

Yes, not all injuries are noticed right away and some injuries may be internal. Sometimes after an accident the adrenaline kicks in and you might not notice any pain until later. It is also a good idea in case you start to feel pain later you can look back on those medical records.

Will my insurance company raise my rates even if I wasn’t the one who caused the accident?

No, if you were found not at fault for the car accident your insurance company can’t raise your rates in Oklahoma.

Is it legal to talk on the phone and drive in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma does have distracted driving laws that make it illegal to text and drive. If you are a public transit driver or commercial driver you are not allowed to make a hand-held phone call. While it may not be totally illegal for all drivers in Oklahoma it is strongly suggested that you do not make dial a number or have a hand-held phone call while driving.

Is car insurance required in Oklahoma?

Yes, every driver is required to have car insurance in the state of Oklahoma. The minimum requirements are liability coverage for $25,000 for each person and $50,000 for each accident, you must also have uninsured motorist coverage of the same amounts. As Oklahoma is one of the states with the highest number of uninsured motorists. You also need property damage coverage of $25,000.

Do I still have a case if the driver was uninsured?

Just because you were hit by an uninsured driver does not mean that you don’t have a case. In these instances you have a case with your own uninsured motorist coverage. You may also be able to go after the assets of the at fault party to pay for your injures.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim?

You have two years from the date of your accident to file a car accident claim. It is important to speak with a Tulsa car accident lawyer as soon as possible to allow them enough time to build you a strong case and ensure that all deadlines are met.

Do I have to give a recorded statement to the other party’s insurance company?

No, while the insurance company and their adjuster may keep calling you and pressuring you into giving a recorded statement you are under no legal obligation to give them one. You should refer them to your lawyer.

When do most car accidents happen?

According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office in the year 2020 Friday saw more car accidents than any other day of the week. October ending up being the worst month of the year, and the most common times were between 5pm and 6pm.

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