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Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyers
Aggressive representation for car wreck victims throughout Oklahoma
It is devastating to be injured in an auto accident caused by the negligence of another person. Whether your crash happened on I-35, I-40, I-44, the Kilpatrick Turnpike, or on a busy Oklahoma City surface road, serious collisions can leave you in pain, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do next.
The last thing you want to deal with is mounting medical bills, property damages, and lost wages. At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys understand that you have questions and concerns about your case. You want to pay your medical bills and get back to your normal life.
Our attorneys are here to help you ease the financial burden by seeking compensation for your harm after a car wreck. We take care of the legal aftermath of your accident and deal with insurance companies, so you can focus on what is most important – your recovery.
Key takeaways
- If you’ve been hurt in a car accident because of another person’s negligence, you could have the right to get compensation for your losses.
- Oklahoma car accident claims often involve medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and insurance disputes.
- Important Oklahoma laws include the two-year filing deadline and the state’s modified comparative negligence rule.
- Strong evidence, prompt medical care, and avoiding common mistakes can help protect your case.
- Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly for less than they are worth.
- Cunningham & Mears handles a wide range of Oklahoma City car accident cases, including serious injury and wrongful death claims.
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Table of contents
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- What should I do after a car accident? Step-by-step list
- What are the most common causes of car accidents in Oklahoma?
- What causes Oklahoma car accidents not related to driver error?
- What types of injuries do car accidents commonly cause?
- How do we determine fault in a car accident in Oklahoma?
- Oklahoma car accident laws
- Mistakes to avoid after a car accident
- Types of car accident cases we handle
- What is my car accident case worth?
- How can a car accident lawyer help your injury case?
- Common insurance company tactics to watch out for
- How do we maximize your settlement
- Recent car accident case results
- Frequently asked questions
- Do you have a car accident lawyer near me?
What should I do after a car accident? Step-by-step list
After being involved in a car accident, you are likely to feel a bit shaken and disoriented. That is normal. Once you have taken a breath and composed yourself, here are a few tips to follow that will help you later when it is time to file an accident claim:
- Make sure you are safe. If you can, move your car out of the travel lane. If that is not possible, turn on your hazard lights and get yourself to the sidewalk or the shoulder of the highway.
- See to the safety of others involved in the accident. If you or anyone else in the crash has been injured, call 911 and request medical help.
- Call law enforcement. Call the police to the scene so that they can create an accident report. You can cooperate with the police without saying anything about fault on anyone's part. If law enforcement does not respond, you should still report the accident as soon as possible, including by contacting the appropriate agency directly.
- Gather evidence at the scene, including:
- Name, contact information, and insurance information for the other drivers involved
- License plate numbers for the other vehicles involved
- Makes and models of the vehicles involved
- Location of the accident
- Names and badge numbers of the responding police officers
- Pictures and video of the accident scene, the vehicles and people involved, and any witnesses
5. Report the accident to your insurance company.
6. Contact a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling car accident cases. They can help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.
Our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers are here to help after any type of accident. Reach out to schedule your initial consultation.
What are the most common causes of car accidents in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma City, many serious crashes happen on heavily traveled roads and highways such as I-35, I-40, I-44, the Broadway Extension, and the Northwest Expressway. Some common causes of car accidents include:
- Drunk or drugged driving: Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs is the epitome of reckless and negligent driving.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is not only texting while driving, but also includes distractions such as eating, grooming, interacting with passengers, or being distracted by something outside the vehicle.
- Speeding: Speeding, which includes both exceeding the posted speed limit and driving too fast for current road conditions, such as rain or ice.
- Drowsy driving: Driving when fatigued can be almost as dangerous as drunk driving, as it affects your reaction times and your perception of danger.
- Ignoring rules of the road: Failure to obey the rules of the road, such as failing to yield the right of way, changing lanes in an intersection, running a red light, or failing to obey stop signs or other traffic signals.
- Not stopping for pedestrians: Failure to stop for pedestrians, whether in or out of a crosswalk.
(All data taken from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) interactive crash maps.)
We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders who are injured in car accidents. We also represent families when a loved one tragically dies in a car accident.
What causes Oklahoma car accidents not related to driver error?
Not all car crashes are the result of negligent drivers, however. Defective car parts, poor road design or maintenance, lack of lighting and signage, and wildlife can all contribute to a collision. A skilled Oklahoma City car accident lawyer from Cunningham & Mears is prepared to protect your interests after a car accident injury has left you in pain and unable to work. We fight for the compensation you need.
What types of injuries do car accidents commonly cause?
Many variables can account for the range of severity of injuries in a car wreck. The speed at which each vehicle was traveling when they collided, the condition of the brakes, and other factors will affect whether the people involved in a car accident walk away or are killed.
Some of the more common injuries in car accidents include:
Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
A head injury from being hit by objects in the vehicle or hitting the windshield can be serious and have consequences that impact a person’s life long after the head wound has healed.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur whether the head was hit or was slammed back and forth by the g-forces in the crash, and can alter the person’s ability to function in life, work, and relationships. Our OKC brain injury lawyers fight aggressively for justice on behalf of the injured.
Whiplash
Whiplash is another name for a neck sprain that can occur with a neck injury, in which the joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerve roots in the neck have been damaged. Whiplash can occur in car accidents when the body is whipped forward and backward in a jerking motion.
Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury, but it can have lasting effects, including severe headaches, back pain, dizziness, neck and shoulder pain and stiffness, and other symptoms.
Back and neck injuries
The jerking motion that occurs at the moment of collision can injure the back and neck even if there is no outward wound. The individual may even walk away feeling they escaped the crash uninjured, because the rush of adrenaline can mask the effects of the injury right away.
However, symptoms can develop later. This often includes back, neck, and shoulder pain; headaches; numbness and burning sensations; limited range of motion; and loss of strength.
Spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury, which can lead to partial or complete paralysis, is a devastating injury that can occur after a car accident. A person with a spinal cord injury may require a wheelchair for mobility and help with home health care and ongoing medical complications.
Broken bones
Broken bones, such as broken ribs, knees, and arms, are serious injuries that can occur in car wrecks. When a person has multiple bone fractures, they need expert medical care, and they need time to allow their body to heal.
Internal organ damage
Internal organ damage, such as injury to the kidney, liver, or spleen, punctured lung or lung collapse, or internal bleeding from ruptured blood vessels in the body from the crash. These injuries, if not quickly diagnosed and treated, can lead to organ failure and death.
Cuts and lacerations
Cuts and lacerations from broken glass, sharp bits of the car's frame, and debris on the road can lead to serious injuries. They can damage muscles, tendons, nerves, and even organs underneath them, depending on where they are and how deep they are.
Burns
Burn injuries can be anything from a painful first-degree burn to a life-threatening third-degree burn that can cause long-term pain, infections, disfigurement, and lifelong disability. Burns can have long-lasting effects on your health, emotional well-being, and ability to make money.
If you have lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be concerned about recovering compensation to cover the medical bills and final expenses, and the loss of their affection, services, and financial support.
Our Oklahoma City car wreck lawyers strive to obtain the compensation that covers the full extent of your harm.
How do we determine fault in a car accident in Oklahoma?
Fault in an Oklahoma car accident is determined by examining evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photos. We also consult with accident reconstruction experts so we can determine how the crash occurred. Insurance companies and the courts review this information to determine who caused the crash and whether multiple parties share blame.
Oklahoma car accident laws
Understanding the laws that apply after a car accident in Oklahoma is essential for protecting your rights and making strong injury claims. Two important ones include:
Modified comparative negligence
Oklahoma follows modified comparative negligence. This means that each person involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault, and your compensation will be reduced by your own share of blame. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot collect any damages from the other party.
For example, a person steps off the curb to cross a busy street, their head down, reading a text, instead of looking around to make sure traffic has stopped. At the same time, the driver of a car heading into the same intersection is looking at their phone and hits a pedestrian, causing them injury.
The jury finds the pedestrian 40% at fault and the driver 60% at fault. The pedestrian's damages were $80,000, so they would receive $48,000 after they were reduced by $32,000 (40% of $80,000).
Statute of limitations
You usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for injuries. However, some exceptions might change this deadline. For example, when the injured person is a minor or the at-fault party leaves the state, the deadline may be essentially paused and extended. It's always smart to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident to make sure you know your filing deadline and do not lose your rights to compensation.
Mistakes to avoid after a car accident
Being involved in a car accident is overwhelming, even if it's minor. Making sure you know what steps to take is important, but knowing what to avoid is just as crucial.
- Not calling the police: Even if the crash seems minor, a police report provides an official record that may be crucial for insurance claims and legal matters. Also, if the accident involves injury or death, Oklahoma law requires you to report it to law enforcement.
- Saying you're sorry: It’s a natural reaction to apologize to someone after an accident, even if it isn’t your fault. However, statements made at the scene may be used as evidence, so it’s best to avoid discussing fault, so avoid saying anything that could be taken this way.
- Not seeing a doctor right away: Some injuries may not be obvious right after the accident. You should still seek medical attention. Seeing a doctor soon after the crash creates a medical record that links your injuries to the accident.
- Discussing the case on social media: Anything you post can be discovered and may be used to challenge parts of your story. You should avoid sharing anything about the accident online.
Avoiding these steps helps protect both your health and your rights down the road.
Types of car accident cases we handle
We handle a wide range of car accident cases in Oklahoma City, whether the collision is straightforward or severe. Our team is equipped to fight for your rights in all types of accidents, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Multi-vehicle crashes
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Rollover crashes
- Accidents caused by drunk or distracted drivers
- Crashes involving commercial trucks
- Accidents with uninsured or underinsured motorists
- Pedestrian and cyclist crashes
We represent people injured in crashes throughout the Oklahoma City area, including collisions on major commuter routes like I-35, I-40, I-235, and I-44, as well as high-traffic city roads where rear-end crashes, intersection wrecks, and multi-vehicle pileups are common.
What is my car accident case worth?
There is no fixed dollar amount for a car accident case in Oklahoma City because every crash and every injury is different. Cases can range from a few thousand dollars to much more in serious injury claims. In general, the value of a claim depends on factors such as:
- Current medical expenses
- Cost of future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle or any personal items inside
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Whether you were partially at fault
- How serious your injuries are and if they are permanent
- Insurance limits
A car accident lawyer can review your case and give you a better idea of what to expect. Contact Cunningham & Mears today to schedule a free consultation.
How can a car accident lawyer help your injury case?
If you were hurt in a car accident in Oklahoma City or anywhere else in the state, you are probably dealing with medical bills and lost pay while you heal. Because of these concerns, it's important to have someone on your side who can fight for your right to fair compensation.
Insurance companies often use their own lawyers to try to lower the value of your claim and the amount they have to pay. A lawyer on your side will make your case stronger and either negotiate or fight for you in court.
At Cunningham & Mears, our lawyers have over a century of combined experience and know how insurance companies operate. We know what’s needed to secure compensation, whether through a fair settlement or at trial.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Oklahoma City, after you have sought medical attention, your next call should be to schedule a free consultation with our OKC auto accident attorney team at Cunningham & Mears.
Common insurance company tactics to watch out for
Insurance companies are businesses focused on protecting their profits, and they often use certain strategies to delay, deny, or reduce the amount they pay on accident claims. Knowing what to expect can help you avoid falling for common mistakes.
- Offering quick, low settlements in hopes you’ll accept before knowing the full value of your injuries and damages.
- Requesting unnecessary paperwork or making the claims process confusing to slow you down or frustrate you into accepting less.
- Trying to get recorded statements that can be twisted or used against you later in your claim.
- Blaming you for all or part of the accident, even when the evidence is on your side.
- Ignoring or dragging out medical bill payments.
Being aware of these tactics is the first step to protecting yourself. Having an experienced attorney on your side levels the playing field and lets the insurance company know you’re serious about getting the compensation you truly deserve.
How do we maximize your settlement
We understand how important it is to receive compensation for your injuries and losses after a car accident. We do our best to help you. We’re truly focused on the best outcome for you, not just settling the case quickly.
Investigation
We conduct a thorough investigation and carefully review every aspect of your case. This includes visiting the accident scene, gathering all available photos and videos, collecting witness statements, and reviewing police reports. We do everything we can to gather the evidence needed to prove someone else was responsible for the accident.
Medical experts
We work closely with medical professionals who can clearly connect your injuries to the accident. They can explain your treatment needs, pain levels, and future care in a way that insurance companies and juries can comprehend.
Insurance negotiations
We handle aggressive insurance adjusters for you, and we know how to push back against delay tactics, low initial offers, and denials. We use fact-driven arguments and press for the true value you are owed.
Recent car accident case results
While no attorney can promise a specific result, our past case results show the dedication, experience, and thorough preparation we bring to every serious injury claim. At Cunningham & Mears, we've helped many Oklahomans get significant settlements and verdicts after car, truck, and motorcycle accidents.
Here are just a few examples of what we’ve achieved for our clients:
- $1.165 million for a woman hit by a tractor-trailer
- $650,000 for a car crash victim with serious knee injuries requiring two surgeries
- $600,000 for a teenage passenger injured after a truck left the roadway and struck a tree
- $500,000 for a client hit by a semi-truck after a stop-sign violation
- $300,000+ for a crash victim in a disputed parking lot accident involving neck and back injuries that required surgery
- $295,000 for a woman whose neck injury ultimately required spinal fusion surgery
Every case is different. You should talk to a lawyer who regularly handles vehicle accidents; they can review your case and tell you what to expect. Call Cunningham & Mears immediately to schedule a free consultation and learn more about how much your case might be worth.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing up front. They only get paid if they recover money for you. The fee is a percentage of your final settlement or court award.
What is the average settlement?
Every case is very different, with a wide range of injuries and damages. This makes it difficult to provide an average amount. The best way to figure out what you may be owed is to speak with an attorney.
Should I talk to the insurance company?
You should notify your insurance company about the accident, but avoid giving statements or signing anything for the other driver’s insurance before talking to your lawyer. Insurers may use your words to limit or deny your claim.
How long will my case take?
The duration of your case will vary based on your injuries, whether the insurance company is willing to negotiate fairly, and whether your case goes to trial. When a case settles, it can be concluded within a few months. If it goes to trial, it could take one year or more.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
If the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have insurance, you may be able to file a claim using your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. A lawyer can help you explore all available options to recover your damages.
Do I have to go to court for my car accident case?
The vast majority of car accident cases settle outside of court. However, if you aren’t able to get an adequate offer, you may have to file a lawsuit to try to get what you are owed. This could mean going to trial.
Do you have a car accident lawyer near me?
Cunningham & Mears has two offices conveniently located in Oklahoma City for clients throughout Oklahoma City and the surrounding communities.
Our first office is located at 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102, near Penn Square Mall, with convenient access from I-44, Classen Boulevard, and nearby central Oklahoma City roads.
Our second office is located at 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West area of Oklahoma City, just off the Northwest Expressway, with easy access for clients coming from I-44, Lake Hefner Parkway, and west Oklahoma City.
Learn more about car accident claims in Oklahoma City, OK
- Car Accidents: When Do You Need Legal Help?
- Deaths Due to Red Light Running on the Rise
- Interrogatory Questions for Car Crash Victims Going to Trial
Contact Cunningham & Mears to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City car accident attorney
Each accident attorney in Oklahoma City at Cunningham & Mears is dedicated to putting you in a better position than when you first came to us. We can negotiate with the insurance company or fight for you aggressively in court if needed. We’re here to help, no matter what type of accident you’ve been in and what injuries you’re facing. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us or call today for a free initial consultation.
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Areas served include: Piedmont, Edmond and Yukon OK
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