If you were seriously injured in a car accident in Tulsa because of another party’s negligence in Oklahoma, you have the right to file a claim against the at-fault driver. The process involves seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Tulsa car accident lawyer can help you gather evidence, deal with the insurance company, and if necessary, file a lawsuit before Oklahoma’s two-year deadline runs out.
Our Tulsa car accident lawyer at Gilpin Law Office can answer your questions and explain your legal options after a motor vehicle crash in our area. First, we will look at the proper steps to take after a collision, because doing so is key for protecting one’s rights.
Calling 911 immediately after a collision is the first step, because emergency responders can assess injuries that may not be immediately visible. It is also important to move your vehicle away from traffic and get photos of the other driver’s license, insurance, and registration. Take photos of the scene, request a copy of the police report, and ask for witness contact information. You can report what happened to your insurer, but do not provide details, admit fault, or let them record you.
Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault. However, your compensation drops by your share of the blame: If you are 20% at fault on a $50,000 claim, you would receive $40,000 instead of the full amount.
Oklahoma law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury or property damage. Miss that window, and the court will likely dismiss your case, no matter how strong it is. Some exceptions exist for minors, but it is best not to count on them.
Our Tulsa car accident lawyer helps clients recover economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, and vehicle repairs, along with non-economic damages like pain and emotional distress. In cases involving extreme recklessness, such as drunk driving, courts may also award punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault driver and discourage similar behavior.
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Oklahoma requires drivers to carry only $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, which barely covers an emergency room visit. Although uninsured motorist coverage is not required, insurers must offer it, and you must accept or decline it in writing. Without it, you could be stuck paying out of pocket if you were hit by an uninsured driver.
As an example: If the at-fault driver only carries the state minimum, but your medical bills total $60,000, you could be facing significant medical bills. Their insurer would typically pay $25,000, leaving a $35,000 gap. Your own policy can step in to cover that difference.
Probably not. Insurance companies often move fast with an early offer, hoping the claimant will accept before knowing the full extent of their injuries or future treatment costs. Once you sign a release, you typically cannot go back for more money later, even if your condition gets worse.
According to established medical and public health data, car crash survivors frequently suffer from a variety of debilitating conditions:
Even minor-seeming accidents can lead to injuries that do not show symptoms right away, such as whiplash or concussions. Our Tulsa car accident lawyer can help you document everything properly from the start, which protects you if your injuries turn out to be more serious than when they first appeared.
Most car accident claims settle without a trial, but some go to court when the insurance company refuses a fair offer or disputes fault entirely. If that happens, our Tulsa car accident lawyer knows Oklahoma’s court system and rules of evidence. That can make a real difference in how your case is presented and decided.
When a driver’s negligence causes a fatality, the surviving family members cannot file a standard personal injury claim. Instead, Oklahoma law allows the personal representative of the deceased’s estate to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Through this legal action, immediate family members can seek compensation for financial hardships, such as funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the loss of companionship.
Many accident survivors hesitate to seek legal help because they worry about high hourly legal fees. Fortunately, our Tulsa car accident lawyer operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront. The legal fee is simply a pre-agreed percentage of your final recovery, allowing you to pursue justice without financial risk.
If you were injured in a crash and need legal guidance, contact the Tulsa car accident lawyer at Gilpin Law Office. Our skilled legal team will review your case and fight to secure full and fair compensation. Call us at 918-583-8900 or complete our online form today for a free consultation. We have offices in Tulsa, OK, and serve clients in the surrounding area.