How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer after a Car Accident in Oklahoma City?

At Cunningham & Mears, we handle many different types of car accident cases. We represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. We also represent families when a family member dies in a car accident. When it comes to any of these, we represent clients on a contingency basis. Learn more about what that means for you and your case, and how it can reduce the financial burden on injury victims.

Our car accident lawyers handle your case on a contingency fee basis

We handle all our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that our success (our payment) depends on your success (a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor). You do not have to advance any money to start your claim – no matter how complex the liability issues are or how serious your injuries are.

We advance the following types of payments:

• We hire investigators to go to the accident site
• We hire traffic reconstruction experts and experts who understand defective car products, if necessary for the success of your claim
• We pay for the medical reports
• We pay the court costs and other related costs

At the initial consultation, we can enter into a written agreement that states that we receive a percentage of any settlement or verdict. That percentage can range from 25 to 40 percent, depending on various factors that we can review with you. In many cases, we receive 1/3^rd. We only get reimbursed for the fees we advanced if your case settles or you win.

For example, if your case settles for $190,000 or there is a verdict for $190,000 – and we advanced $10,000 to hire experts and for the court costs. Then the distribution of the $190,000 is as follows:

• We receive $10,000 for the money we advance.
• Of the remaining $180,000:
  • You receive 2/3 = $120,000
  • We receive 1/3 = $60,000.

If your car accident case does not settle and the verdict goes against you, then you owe us nothing.

You should not negotiate your own settlement

There are many reasons you should not try to negotiate a settlement on your own. At every level and every degree, the insurance companies for the negligent driver (and any other parties) are not your friends. They want to deny your claim or limit the amount that they pay you.

Car accident insurance companies hire their own adjusters and investigators who will work to show that their client didn’t cause the accident, that you were partially responsible, and that your injuries aren’t that serious.

They won’t tell you all the things you should ask or how much those things (such as compensation for pain and suffering, loss of bodily function, scarring and disfigurement, and the inability to enjoy life’s pleasures) are actually worth. They won’t tell you the lifetime costs of your injuries.

If you make a quick settlement with the insurance company, you can’t come back for more when your injuries turn out to be more serious than you thought, or you discover there were damages you didn’t ask the insurance company to pay.

Why you should hire an experienced Oklahoma City car accident lawyer

By hiring an attorney, you can work on maximizing your health while we work on maximizing your financial recovery. At Cunningham & Mears, we help injury clients in many different ways, including the following:

The liability phase

• We send investigators to the scene of the car accident who examine the accident site (such as the number of traffic lanes, the speed limit, the location of any skid marks, visibility issues) and speak with any witnesses. They may also question local businesses and neighbors about whether they have any video of the accident.
• Our lawyers review your case with any investigating police officers.
• We work with other liability experts who can help show how your accident happened and who is responsible.
• Our lawyers file the correct legal papers in the correct court.
• Our lawyers formally question every defendant and every witness through the use of written questions and oral questions.
• We examine all relevant information, such as cell phone records if the driver who struck you was texting or talking on a cell phone.

The damage phase

• Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers review all of your medical injuries with your doctors (and our own network of doctors, if necessary) to verify your injuries, review the full range of medical care you will need, and determine how your injuries are affecting every aspect of your life. We also work with rehabilitative, home health aides, and others so that you are getting the care you need.
• We work with doctors and life planners to understand your long-term medical needs and expenses if you have a permanent or catastrophic injury. Our lawyers also work to have doctors postpone their bills until your case settles. In some cases, we can even negotiate a reduction in those bills, which means more money for you.
• We review all your financial and personal damages. These include your medical costs, lost income (including permanent disability income), pain and suffering, damage to your car, inability to enjoy life’s pleasures, loss of consortium (enjoyment of marital relations), scarring and disfigurement, and loss of bodily function.

Settlement negotiations and trial

Once we’ve finished our thorough review of your claim, we negotiate with the insurance companies. We understand how much insurance companies are likely to offer and how much they’ll actually settle your case for. Our team is always ready to argue your car accident in court before a jury.

All of this work requires a lot of time and experience. We’ve helped many car accident victims obtain the full recoveries they deserve – because of our preparation, advocacy skills, ability to anticipate and counter the arguments of defense lawyers, and our record of successful settlements and verdicts.

The decision to settle a case is yours. We’re here to explain how much you will receive based on the settlement offers from the insurance companies. We can review how much you’re likely to receive if a jury decides your case. Our car accident lawyers will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about whether you should settle or go to trial.

Our lawyers understand the local Oklahoma City roads. We handle all types of serious injuries. Our lawyers understand what issues and factors juries use to make their decisions. Get the help you need so you can focus on your health, work, family, and your life. Let us be your voice with the insurance companies, the defense lawyers, and the courts. Please call Cunningham & Mears or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.