So, you were in a car crash, but it was not your fault? Why would you need a lawyer?
Just because you were involved in an accident that was not your fault doesn’t mean the insurance company is going to be fair. In certain circumstances, you may have injuries that may linger and require long-term treatment. Deciding to seek representation from a car accident lawyer in Oklahoma to help you get through the traumatic aftermath may be the best choice you can make.
A skilled and experienced Oklahoma car accident attorney can advise you with integrity and compassion to get you through the challenges of your case. They can also help maximize the compensation you recover.
Why You Should Get an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer After a Car Accident
Obtaining legal representation after a car accident is not just a choice. It is a legal right. This is especially true if the accident is someone else’s fault.
Plus, hiring the right lawyer can ensure insurance companies will treat you fairly. In some cases, even when a person is not at fault, agents at their own insurance company may question the legitimacy of injuries or make lowball offers.
Make Sure Your Lawyer Has Relevant Experience
Not every car accident requires acquiring a lawyer, but a skilled personal injury attorney can even the playing field and make sure you are treated fairly. In order to get the full compensation needed to recover from the damages a car accident can cause, it is likely you will have to prove you are 100% blameless. Car insurance companies may even try to discredit your account of your injuries to get out of paying.
Not to mention, car accidents can upset your life—physically, mentally, and financially. After the trauma of an accident, thinking about damages can be overwhelming.
With a car accident lawyer on your side, they can take the burden of a personal injury claim off your shoulders. They can manage legal matters while you rest, recover, and begin to restore your life.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYUnderstanding Oklahoma’s Comparative Negligence System
According to Oklahoma law, fault in car accidents is determined by the comparative negligence system. The compensation a plaintiff receives may be reduced if they share any percentage of fault.
In a car accident claim, the court can find a plaintiff partially at fault, sharing the blame for a crash. In these cases, your compensation will be reduced by the same percentage as the percentage of fault you bear in the accident. A finding of 20% fault on your part will reduce your award by 20%.
If a plaintiff is found to be 50% or more responsible, they cannot receive compensation from the other parties involved in the crash. A car accident lawyer can help in three critical ways:
- Minimize the percentage of fault
- Prove another driver’s negligence
- Fight to ensure fair compensation for their client
Minimizing a Plaintiff’s Percentage of Fault
Because of Oklahoma’s comparative negligence, a plaintiff who tries to represent themselves and argue a case alone can lose the full amount of compensation because they are not legal experts. Even worse, they can end up paying for someone else’s damages. A lawyer can represent you against insurance companies and in the courts.
Knowledgeable car accident attorneys can investigate the incident and build an evidence-based case, putting the fault where it belongs—on the other driver. The less the percentage of blame assigned to you by the court, the more compensation you can receive. Further, your attorney can take a stand against the other driver’s insurance company.
Proving Another Driver’s Negligence
In order to reduce a plaintiff’s percentage of blame, an attorney may apply several elements of negligence law, including:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party should have shown reasonable care to avoid harming the other people on the road.
- Breach of duty of care: The at-fault driver failed to show reasonable care toward others.
- Causation: Because the at-fault party neglected to show reasonable care, it caused damages to others.
- Damages: This is the ultimate result of the at-fault party’s actions or inaction—any injuries, property damage, and economic loss.
A worthy car accident attorney will argue that a defendant violating their duty of care caused an otherwise avoidable crash. This could substantially reduce a plaintiff’s blame and increase the compensation received.
Fighting for a Client’s Fair Compensation
In many cases, an accident will result in a stack of bills, repair costs, and an affected work history. This documentation tells the tale of the crash and its aftermath.
But this paper trail does not tell the whole story or illustrate the extent of the damage. An attorney can help determine the actual value of the losses. After the lawyer’s analysis, compensation may be received for several damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Future or projected medical treatments
- Physical therapy
- Pain and suffering
- Mental duress
- Lost earnings or reduced paychecks
- Reduced earning ability
See a Doctor Right Away
It is important to seek medical attention directly after a vehicle collision. A serious injury can sometimes come from what appears like a minor accident. In some cases, serious injuries may not be evident at first but can get worse over time.
Frequent injuries resulting from a car accident include:
- Severe bruising
- Broken bones
- Lacerations or cuts
- Amputations
- Whiplash or spine injuries
- Paralysis
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
Contact an Experienced Oklahoma Car Accident Attorney Today
The team at BDIW Law offers representation from a skillful Oklahoma car accident lawyer with a long history of successful settlements and verdicts. We also have a long list of satisfied clients. A client should have no doubt about allowing us to advocate for their rights.
A car accident attorney in Oklahoma should think about their clients with empathy and act with intention when it comes to putting negligent parties on notice. We want to make our community safer by making at-fault parties pay for their negligence or wrongful acts. We are here to work with our clients through every aspect of the legal process.
Contact us as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation.
