Fewer injuries are more devastating than neck and spinal cord injuries. They can forever change your life’s trajectory. They can also deprive you of the life you once knew.
These are uncertain times of dealing with your injury and working toward recovery. Moving forward with a legal case or knowing if there is anyone available to help with the aftermath of your accident can seem overwhelming. Turning to a highly experienced Ponca City personal injury lawyer can clear a path for you on your road to recovery.
Your legal representation is our top priority. Our ability to see the details of a personal injury claim sets us apart as the team that maximizes your compensation while offering you the compassion and understanding you deserve. Contact a Ponca City neck and spinal cord injuries lawyer today to find out how much your case could be worth.
Moving Forward After a Neck or Spinal Cord Injuries
Because of the severity and catastrophic outcomes of most injuries, focusing on your health is a priority. Working with a neck and spinal cord injuries attorney in Ponca City allows you to begin to document what happened, collecting evidence through various reports and medical documents that support your claim. An in-depth understanding of where to locate the information and build an evidence-based case is what you can expect from a skilled attorney who represents and advocates for you.
A neck and spinal cord injuries lawyer in Ponca City, OK, can provide the support and guidance you need through the claims process. We are here for you whether you were involved in a slip and fall, truck accident, construction accident, or any other type of traumatic event. You will need an advocate who can work as a mediator with insurance companies, other legal representatives, medical debt collectors, and various entities.
These parties will need information about your health and financial abilities to pay for services or everyday expenses. We can file the appropriate legal documents to protect your economic interests as you focus on recovery. That way, you can start to rebuild your life without the stress that comes with dealing with creditors and debt collectors after such a traumatic event.
Our Team Is Here To Assist You Every Step Of The Way.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYWays to Recover Compensation After a Spine or Neck Injury
After suffering a debilitating neck or spinal injury, you may be anxious to figure out how you will hold the liable party accountable. Fortunately, Oklahoma personal injury laws provide multiple opportunities for injury victims to maximize their financial compensation. First and foremost, you may want to consider filing a claim with the insurance company.
The state of Oklahoma follows fault-based insurance laws. You will have the authority to file a claim against the liable party’s insurance policy where applicable. However, it is important to keep in mind that insurance settlements do not cover every loss and frequently only provide compensation for property damages and medical bills.
If the at-fault party does not have insurance coverage, or the settlement from the insurance company is not enough to fully cover your damages, you need to consider alternative options. Oklahoma tort laws under Oklahoma Statutes Title 15. Contracts §15-776.2. Civil remedies afford you the right to be made whole. This means instead of being limited to reimbursement for your medical expenses and personal property losses, you can also be repaid for every other compensatory loss, whether economic or non-economic.
Documenting Your Injuries
A neck and spinal cord injuries attorney in Ponca City, OK, will document the damages that you have suffered. It is not uncommon for the defense’s counsel to claim your injuries are not the result of the accident but exist from previous injuries. Documentation is critical to your claim, and collecting the following information is vital.
The burden of proof in civil claims is clear. In criminal court proceedings, guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Personal injury claims require liability to be proven based on a preponderance of the evidence.
The evidence presented by your attorney must be convincing. But more than that, it needs to show the jury the defendant is more than likely the culpable party. Some examples of the most valuable types of supporting evidence include the following:
Medical Records
You and your personal injury team will gather any medical history records before and after the accident. Proper documentation by your physician and from previous insurance claims is necessary. It will establish a timeline of your health and if any neck or spinal cord injuries existed before the accident.
Employer Records
Neck and spinal cord injuries often result in a loss of sensation and specific bodily functions. Any accommodations for this type of injury will usually be reflected in your employer’s records. If no reasonable accommodations or injuries affected your ability to perform a job before your accident, it could demonstrate a valuable timeline supporting when your injuries occurred.
Witness Testimony
Friends, family, co-workers, and other acquaintances are essential. They can provide witness testimony that describes what happened when you lost certain functions. Some examples could include loss of mobility, what you could participate in before the incident, and how your health was affected due to the injuries.
Videos and Photographs
Photographs and supporting video evidence are extremely valuable. Both types of documentation are potent tools that show your ability to function before an accident. Both videos and pictures captured you in your natural state and environment, participating in activities you once enjoyed.
Social Media
Social media accounts can be a double-edged sword, so it is best to cease posting on these platforms until you speak with a neck and spinal cord injuries attorney in Ponca City about your personal injury claim. Images posted after a neck or spinal cord injury may be used by defense representatives as proof that you are not as injured as the claims project. But these accounts can also show a life you lived prior to injury and how your abilities have been compromised since the injuries occurred.
Neck and Spinal Cord Injury Claims Have Strict Deadlines
Make sure you take action on your claim sooner than later. There is a strict two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Oklahoma. The law can be found under Oklahoma Statute §12-95.
But what happens when victims do not file suit before this deadline? The court system is legally required to prohibit them from pursuing their case. For this reason, it is essential to get a neck and spinal cord injury attorney working for you so you can avoid being barred from the compensation that is rightfully yours.
Insurance deadlines are equally important. Insurance companies can set their own deadlines and will deny your claim if you miss them. Your attorney will be well aware of these insurance tactics and take action to protect you from being taken advantage of.
Damages Recovered for Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries
A Ponca City neck and spinal cord injuries attorney with experience in personal injury claims can help you document the monetary losses you have suffered, known as compensatory damages. Punitive damages may be collected when your attorney provides proof that the circumstances surrounding your accident resulted from grossly negligent or outrageous conduct by the defendant. Below is a list of some of the compensatory damages you may be able to claim:
- All medical expenses related to your accident, including ongoing follow-up treatment and therapies
- Compensation for lost income, including potential earnings and wages such as bonuses.
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages
Quantifying the amounts for losses such as mental anguish and enjoyment of life can be difficult. Any loss you suffer is unfair, and we will work to ensure that your compensation is a true reflection of the damages you have suffered. We aim to maximize the compensation you can receive.
Advocating for You After a Neck or Spinal Cord Injury
A neck or spinal cord injury is one of the most devastating injuries you may ever receive. It can forever change how you function in life, resulting in physical, emotional, and financial hardship. These damages will impact your entire family.
Fortunately, you do not have to absorb the consequences of someone else’s negligence. Get help from a neck or spinal cord injuries attorney at our firm. When you do, you can rest easier knowing your case is in our hands.
Let the team of BDIW Law work to help you with your personal injury case. Our record of successful cases and satisfied clients proves that we take your neck and spinal cord injuries seriously. Fill out our online contact form or call us to schedule your free consultation today.
