Compassionate Guidance From An Experienced Oklahoma City Personal Injury Law Firm
If you’ve been severely injured in a traumatic accident and you know that someone else’s negligence was the cause for your injuries, contact a personal injury attorney in Oklahoma to hold the liable parties accountable for their actions and seek financial compensation.
>Being injured in an accident can take a toll both physically and emotionally on your well-being. Not only are you left feeling helpless and unsure of when your life will return to normal, but with a possible lack of income from being out of work, the financial burden of your medical expenses can be increasingly overwhelming.
You’ll need time to recover from the damages you’ve suffered, but when you know someone else caused the accident that contributed to your injuries, the healing process can seem impossible. At Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman, an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer can help you pick up the pieces of your life by investigating the accident and determining all parties that were at fault.
Once fault is determined, your attorney can help you fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve. You should be able to focus on a full recovery without financial stress. We’ll be here to support you through the legal process every step of the way.
Determining Who Is At Fault
The first step in filing a personal injury claim is to name a defendant in your case by determining who’s at fault for the accident and your injuries. The court will need tangible proof of negligence in order to award you with compensation, and your personal injury lawyer will find proof by investigating the accident and gathering all evidence, such as witness testimonies, medical records and photographs.
Often, more than one party can be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit, and it’s important to identify all of them in order to maximize your claim. Some of the possible parties that can be at fault in a personal injury claim include:
- A government entity
- The driver of a colliding vehicle
- Product manufacturer
- Aggressor/perpetrator
- Private company
- Day care operators
- Medical professional
- Owner of an animal
Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law
A common question many people in Oklahoma have when filing a personal injury claim is whether they can receive compensation if they were partially at fault for causing the accident. In many cases, both people involved in an accident play a role, even if one party is significantly more at fault than the other. Thankfully, the state of Oklahoma has a modified comparative negligence law in place.
Modified comparative negligence laws allow anyone who was partially at fault to file for compensation against the other liable party in an accident. Once the percentage of fault is determined, that amount of fault will be subtracted from the overall settlement amount. For example, if you’re found to be 10 percent liable and your settlement is $100,000, you’ll receive $90,000.
Modified comparative negligence can play a significant role in the end result of a personal injury case; however, these laws are put in place to protect all parties involved. If you’re injured in an accident but partially at fault, you can still receive compensation for your damages. It also protects those who are partially liable, but not fully liable, from bearing the entire financial burden of the accident.
Types Of Personal Injury Lawsuits
When filing a personal injury claim in Oklahoma, knowing the reason why your injury occurred will be helpful in determining who’s at fault for the injury. For example, if you suffered from a severe dog bite, it’s likely that the dog’s owner was at fault. If you suffered from a complication from surgery, the doctor may be at fault due to medical malpractice.
Some of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal damage
- Medical malpractice
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Product malfunctions
- Dog bites
There are numerous personal injuries that can result from catastrophic accidents, and assessing the damages you’ve suffered is essential when calculating your overall claim value. Your personal injury lawyer in Oklahoma will speak with your doctor to discuss your injuries in detail, as well as the side effects and long-term expenses you may accumulate as a result of these impairments.
Full Compensation For Your Suffering
Aside from the medical expenses you’ll incur immediately after your accident, your lawyer will calculate your overall claim value by examining other compensatory damages, including both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages may include ways in which the accident has financially affected your life, such as medical bills, property damages and loss of future income.
Noneconomic damages include ways in which the accident has affected your lifestyle, such as loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and scarring and disfigurement.
Should I accept the first settlement offer I receive?
The first offer that an insurance company gives you is rarely the best one you can get. Insurance companies often start with a lowball offer as a way to reduce what they have to spend to cover the costs of your injury.
What should I do after my accident?
Take plenty of pictures and videos of the accident, gather contact and insurance information of all involved parties, and call the police and an ambulance if necessary. These steps alone can improve your chances of maximum compensation and provide you with the professional help you need.
Do I need to see a doctor if I feel okay?
Even if you feel fine after an injury or accident, it may be possible that you received nonsurface injuries like nerve damage or a traumatic brain injury. Having a doctor check your health can catch potentially fatal injuries and establish a timeline of your health for any claims.
What should I say to the at-fault party?
If the party responsible for your injuries attempts to reach out to you to apologize, gather information, offer compensation, or for any other reason, avoid talking to them without your attorney present. If you say the wrong thing to the defendant in your claim, you can risk losing your settlement entirely. It is best to let an attorney speak on your behalf to avoid these errors.
How can I get my medical bills paid?
Many sources can help cover the costs of your medical expenses after an injury, including the at-fault drivers’ insurance, the driver themselves and your insurance. Your attorney can help you secure the compensation you need to cover the costs of your medical bills.
What should I bring to my first meeting with an injury attorney?
Bring anything that helps prove the facts surrounding your claim, including police reports, relevant receipts, insurance information, medical records, a written timeline of events, a copy of your paystub to confirm lost income, and any witness reports and contact information.
How can I afford a lawyer?
Personal injury attorneys can only collect payment from the compensation they earn for you. No matter the outcome of your claim, you do not have to pay anything out of your own pocket.
How is the value of my case decided?
The compensation you receive for your injuries is compiled of economic damages (bills, lost income, legal fees, etc.), noneconomic damages (pain, impairment, trauma, etc.), and punitive damages (extra damages that act as a punishment toward the liable party). Each case is unique, so the final value depends on the damages you experienced in your accident.
Do I need an attorney?
Trying to settle an injury claim without an attorney is extremely difficult. A skilled attorney can help you identify fair compensation values and avoid fatal mistakes and can advocate on your behalf while you recover from your injuries. Talk to an experienced personal injury attorney for the help you need in securing the best possible outcome in your claim.
Contact A Norman Personal Injury Attorney
It’s understandable to have a lot of questions and concerns when filing a personal injury claim. No one deserves to be injured in an accident because of someone else’s negligence. At Talley, Turner, Stice & Bertman, our lawyers have a deep understanding of the Oklahoma civil claims process, and you can rest assured that we’ll fight on your behalf to get you the settlement you deserve.
Recovering from an injury is physically and emotionally exhausting, and we want to make sure your finances are taken care of as you focus on getting your life back to normal. If you’re ready to speak with an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer about your case in greater detail, reach out today for a consultation by calling us at 405-467-2858 or filling out the contact form.