When Do You Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Oklahoma?

With over 30,000 miles of highways, including 673 non-tolled interstate miles, Oklahoma roads are busy. Unfortunately, this led to 762 traffic fatalities in 2021 alone. Another 2,094 people suffered serious injuries in crashes. Contributing factors like alcohol, speeding, and distracted driving demonstrate why collisions occur so frequently on Oklahoma’s roads. If you or a loved one have been in an auto accident, especially one causing severe injuries, speaking with experienced car accident attorneys should be a top priority.

If After a Car Accident, You Suffered a Major Injury

If you or your passengers suffered significant injuries like broken bones, organ damage, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or amputations, hiring a lawyer is critical. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, leading to substantial medical bills and lost wages from missed work. Experienced car accident attorneys can build a solid case to recover total compensation for expenses and damages.

When the Insurance Company Denies Your Car Accident Claim

You may get a low offer or outright denial after reporting to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies often minimize payouts to protect profits. A lawyer can take over negotiations if an insurer seems unreasonable or tries to lowball you. An attorney understands tactics insurers use, like denying valid claims about speeding or distracted driving. Legal representation gives you a far better chance at a fair settlement reflecting total damages.

If You Are Partially at fault for The Accident

Oklahoma follows modified comparative negligence rules. This means if you were partially at fault for causing the accident, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, you can still recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. Some common factors that can contribute to being partially at fault include speeding (with 206 speed-related crashes in Oklahoma in 2021), distracted driving (with 1,270 distracted driving crashes in 2021), and alcohol impairment (with 195 alcohol-related crashes in 2021).

If The Car Accident involves Suing Multiple Parties

If your accident involves multiple negligent parties, the situation gets legally complex. An attorney can identify all potentially liable parties and build strong cases against each one, including filing multiple insurance claims. With a single lawyer coordinating negotiations and litigation, you can recover full compensation from all responsible parties.

If the At-fault Driver Was Uninsured

Though illegal in Oklahoma, some motorists still drive uninsured. If the at-fault driver had no insurance, you may have no clear path to recover damages unless you sue the driver directly. But most uninsured drivers have few assets you can collect against in a lawsuit. An attorney can investigate other options, like filing a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage or finding other liable parties with insurance. Without legal help, recovering compensation from an uninsured driver is unlikely.

With car accident injuries leading to thousands in expenses and income losses, hiring a qualified lawyer is key to recovering full compensation and navigating the claims process. If you or a loved one was injured in an Oklahoma traffic collision, meeting with an attorney promptly is critical to protect your rights. An experienced car accident lawyer levels the playing field against insurance companies, fighting for the maximum settlement or court award to make you whole again after a devastating auto accident.

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Posted - 06/17/2024