Find The Best Car Accident Lawyer In Oklahoma
- How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Oklahoma?
- How to Hire an Oklahoma Car Accident Attorney
- Average Car Accident Settlement in Oklahoma
- Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma
- How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Oklahoma?
- Types of Car Accident Cases in Oklahoma
- Find an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer With Help From ConsumerShield
Summary
- With a lawyer, you can begin a claim against liable parties after a crash
- Oklahoma is an at-fault state, so you must prove that negligence occurred
Oklahoma is home to approximately 4.09 million people. While this isn’t as large a population as other states, a significant number of people live in the largest cities, including Oklahoma City and Tulsa. It’s no surprise, then, that the majority of serious car accidents occur in these locations.
If you have been in a crash because of another party’s negligent conduct, one of the options you may have is to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses. To have a chance at achieving fair compensation, it’s essential to have a car accident lawyer by your side.
At ConsumerShield, we can put you in contact with some of the leading personal injury lawyers in Oklahoma. Whether you live in one of the largest cities or in a more rural area, it’s possible to get the representation you deserve. Fill out our contact form to get started.
But what do you need to know before choosing an attorney? Learn more about what you can expect to pay for a lawyer, the process of how a lawsuit works and the most common types of car accidents that occur in the Sooner State.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Oklahoma?
Car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You will not have to pay any upfront fees. Your attorney will instead receive a percentage of the settlement or jury verdict. In Oklahoma, the average percentage is 33%, though the exact fee the car accident lawyer will charge will depend on the case’s complexity and whether it goes to trial or not.
How to Hire an Oklahoma Car Accident Attorney
Hiring an attorney for auto accidents requires taking time to read up on the person and learn whether they have experience with the type of accident you were in. Don’t just look at the number of cases they have won, but consider the settlement amounts they have managed to get for their clients.
Sometimes, lawyers try to boost their success rates by quickly settling cases, and that’s usually not in their clients’ best interests. The same thing may apply if you see that the attorney takes too many cases to trial.
Personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, and you should take advantage of these to get a sense of their personality and how they communicate. Ask how often you can expect to get updates on your case and how many cases they take on at a time. That can give you an idea of the attention they’ll be able to pay to your claim.
Average Car Accident Settlement in Oklahoma
The average settlement for car accident claims in Oklahoma will depend greatly on the severity of the injuries you sustained, how complex the case is, whether there were multiple parties involved and a variety of other factors. Settlements for minor accidents can be around $5,000, while those for severe ones can be over $500,000.
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is an at-fault state for traffic accidents. To be able to receive compensation after a collision, you’ll have to file a claim against the other party’s insurance, which requires proving that they were negligent in their conduct. You must show that they owed you a duty of care and that they breached it, resulting in your injuries.
What happens, however, if you were partly responsible? In those instances, you may still be able to begin a lawsuit if your percentage of responsibility for the crash is below 50%. That’s because the state has modified comparative negligence laws in place.
How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in Oklahoma?
With a car accident lawyer, you can begin the process of investigating the accident and gathering evidence to show that you were not at fault. Your counsel might speak with expert witnesses, and they’ll gather any available camera footage as well as your medical records to present a robust case.
The negotiations can then begin. Your attorney will provide the other party’s insurance company with a total of the losses you sustained. If the insurers negotiate in good faith, it’s very possible to reach a settlement. In some instances, however, there may be disputes that don’t allow for this possibility.
The next step would be to begin a lawsuit. During the discovery phase, your car accident lawyer will ask for information from the other party and will provide all evidence regarding the collision. A settlement is still possible throughout all of this. If it doesn’t occur, then the case will likely go to trial.
Types of Car Accident Cases in Oklahoma
Rear-end collisions are likely some of the most common accidents in Oklahoma. They tend to occur because of intoxicated or distracted drivers, though speeding can be a concern, as well.
Crashes at intersections are also common. Inexperienced or reckless drivers could cause them, but some of these accidents could result from improperly marked streets or malfunctioning traffic lights.
Left-turn accidents are a problem, as well, as are single-vehicle collisions that occur because of intoxication or encounters with wildlife. Perhaps the most serious, however, are head-on collisions. These can occur because of distracted drivers who may not notice one-way street signs.
Find an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer With Help From ConsumerShield
Car accident lawyers can guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit after a crash. To have an easier time finding an attorney, the team at ConsumerShield can help. We connect you with trusted attorneys in your area so that you can begin legal action against the liable parties. Contact us to start the process of finding counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. You will typically have two years from the date of the injury, but there may be exceptions to this. Beginning your claim as soon as possible is vital.
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Yes, lost wages are part of the economic damages you could receive in a settlement or jury award. If you can’t return to work because of the severity of your injuries, your loss of earning potential can also be compensated.