Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer

Advocating for Car Crash Victims Across Oklahoma

At Fulmer Sill, our legal team offers a different approach, one that is collaborative, client-focused, and results-oriented. Our car accident attorneys in Oklahoma City work to level the playing field and put the power back in the hands of everyday people, rather than already powerful insurance companies.

Our firm's aggressive approach to litigation has helped us recover millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we are prepared to fight tirelessly for the full, fair recovery you are owed.

Injured in a car wreck? Fulmer Sill can help. Call (405) 433-7414 or contact us online today for a free consultation with our car accident lawyers in OKC.

Why Choose Fulmer Sill for Your Car Accident Case?

At Fulmer Sill, our attorneys have won millions for auto accident victims across Oklahoma.

A few of our case victories include:

• $5.2 million verdict: Our client was struck by a car while walking.
• $2.35 million settlement: Our client was injured when their car was hit by a truck.
• $1.97 million settlement: Our client was hit by a big rig, resulting in serious injuries.
• $1.75 million settlement: Our client suffered a TBI in a rear-end accident.
• $1.3 million settlement: Our client was injured after being hit by a drunk driver.
• $1.025 million settlement: Our client suffered a TBI in a rollover accident.

See More Case Results

Hear from Karen, a former client, about how we helped her after a car accident:

Hear More Client Stories

Types of Car Accidents We Handle

Our firm handles all types of car accident cases, including those that involve:

• Rear-end and head-on collisions
• T-bone (side-impact) accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Hit and run accidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Rideshare accidents (Uber & Lyft)
• Uninsured motorist accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Car vs. truck accidents
• Car vs. pedestrian accidents
• Car vs. bicycle accidents

If you are injured in any of these situations, you may be able to file an injury claim against the driver who hit you. Our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys at Fulmer Sill can help you determine whether your case is viable and help you pursue compensation.

Understanding Oklahoma's Car Accident Laws

Who Pays for My Losses After a Crash?

Oklahoma follows a traditional fault-based, or “tort,” system when it comes to car insurance and accident claims. Under this system, you must typically bring a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company to receive compensation for your losses. 

This involves: 

• Proving the other party’s fault;
• Proving your injuries; and
• Proving the nature and extent of your damages.

The state requires drivers to carry liability insurance to cover bodily injury and property damage. Currently, the minimum insurance requirements include $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

What If the Other Driver Is Blaming Me?

If the at-fault driver accuses you of being partially to blame for the crash, you may still be able to file a claim for compensation. 

Oklahoma follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule – which means, as long as you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault, you are eligible to file a claim for compensation; however, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

For example, if you are seeking $100,000 in damages after a severe car accident, but the court finds you 30 percent at fault for the crash, you may only recover up to 70 percent of that amount, or $70,000.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

It’s important that you know that you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a car accident lawsuit in Oklahoma. The clock starts ticking on the date of the accident, not the date of the injury.

If this statute of limitations expires before you file your suit, you will almost certainly lose your right to sue the liable party for damages.

The same is true if your loved one tragically passed away due to a fatal vehicle accident; you generally have two years from the date of their death to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Oklahoma

Many factors contribute to vehicle accidents, but the most common one is negligence. Often, it is another motorist who acts negligently, leading to a crash. However, in some cases, the negligence of a manufacturer, construction company, or another third party can result in a devastating or deadly motor vehicle accident.

Statistically, some of the most common causes of car accidents include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Tailgating/following too closely
• Disobeying traffic signals and signs
• Dangerous and illegal maneuvers
• Failure to yield the right of way
• Unsafe or unlawful passing
• Unsafe or defective road conditions
• Inadequate roadway maintenance
• Auto defects

Our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys carefully review the facts of each case to determine how an accident occurred. We often work with accident reconstructionists and other experts who help us identify third-party negligence and other contributing factors.

In many cases, these specialists provide crucial expert testimony on behalf of our clients. In every instance, our attorneys use all available resources to build powerful, innovative cases aimed at securing the maximum compensation you are owed.

Automotive Defects

Auto defects often contribute to—or even directly cause—serious and deadly accidents.

Some of the most common auto defects associated with traffic accidents include:

• Unsafe vehicle design, such as top-heavy SUVs that roll over easily
• Seatbelt, airbag, and other safety equipment defects
• Tire defects, leading to tire blowouts
• Faulty accelerators, braking systems, and engine components

Even at relatively low speeds, an auto defect can have catastrophic consequences. Motorists may lose control of their vehicles or become involved in rollovers, rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and other severe accidents.

By conducting exhaustive accident investigations and meticulously reviewing all available evidence, our team is able to determine whether an auto defect contributed to or caused an accident.

If necessary, we are fully prepared to bring product liability claims against automotive companies, manufacturers, and other liable parties. We have a long history of success handling complex claims against all types of powerful entities, and we are known for our willingness to go to trial.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Being in a car accident can lead to you suffering a wide range of injuries. The injuries vary in severity from minor cuts and bruises to life-threatening conditions. 

Common injuries that someone may suffer in a car accident include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Burn injuries
• Amputation/loss of limb
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries
• Cuts and lacerations
• Psychological trauma
• Whiplash
• Broken bones

How severe the injuries are can vary due to factors like how fast the vehicles involved were going, where any impacts to the car happened, if the occupants were wearing seatbelts, and the presence of safety features like airbags.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Most of us know what to do when we get into an accident. Documenting the scene of the incident, seeking immediate medical treatment, and initiating claims with your insurance company and the other party’s insurance company are all wise courses of action.

File a Police Report and Exchange Information

Immediately after being involved in a car accident, it is important to initiate a police report and exchange valuable information with the other people involved in the accident, such as names, phone numbers, and license and insurance information. 

Many people even go take their own photos of the damaged vehicles, traffic signals, skid marks, and debris. However, a common mistake you want to avoid is accepting liability for the accident by apologizing or admitting fault. Often, insurance companies will attempt to use your statements—even something like, “I’m so sorry!”—to attribute fault to you.

The best course of action is to simply provide an accurate, honest, and detailed statement of exactly what happened and let the police officers and insurance companies determine fault based on their investigations.

Write Down Everything You Can Remember

After any traffic accident, you should immediately seek medical attention to determine what injuries the accident may have caused. You should also notify your insurance company and the other party’s insurance company as soon as possible to open a claim. 

Keeping an organized paper trail of medical records, bills, and all communication with both your insurer and the third-party insurer is essential, as is keeping a journal documenting all the issues that may not be apparent in your medical records. 

A consistent written history of everything describing your pain, symptoms, treatments, and the daily impact your injuries have on you and your family is critical. Your journal, along with the written details of all conversations with adjusters, is extremely important in proving pain and suffering and other losses related to the accident.

Use Caution When Signing Authorization Forms

As part of an insurance company’s investigation, you will likely be overwhelmed with letters and requests regarding your claim. Insurance adjusters will ask you to sign authorization forms in order to obtain medical records and bills from health providers, as well as wage information from your employer. 

Although your insurance policy may require that you sign one of these authorizations, you are not required to give your insurance company full access to all of your personal medical and employment information.

Be sure to carefully read the authorization requested of you and limit the personal information the insurance company can access by restricting the language of the form to the treatment received from the accident or the days missed/wages lost for missed work due to the accident.

You may explain to the other party’s insurance company that you will supply all significant and material documents, records, and bills once obtained or when treatment is completed in an effort to avoid signing an authorization.

Ask About Your Coverage

Ask your insurance company to describe in detail the types of coverages associated with your policy, as well the potential coverages that may apply to your claim. This is particularly important if your policy includes medical payment (MedPay) coverage and/or uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. 

Request a copy of your policy and declaration page and carefully read the policy to make sure the insurance adjuster does not overlook or withhold any information or obligations.

Avoid Discussing the Accident or Posting on Social Media

Limiting your conversations to those directly involved with the investigation of your claim or the medical treatment of your injuries from the accident is an additional protective measure to ensure your claim is handled properly. This might also include restricting communication between you and the insurance provider for the person that injured you. 

It is important to remember the insurance company of the person who injured you does not have the same obligations to you as your own insurer. Their job is to protect the person that injured you. 

It is also important to limit or even avoid online posts or discussions about your auto accident, injuries, or medical treatments on social media accounts or blogs to prevent anyone from misconstruing or misunderstanding your comments or photos while your claim is being handled.

Talk to a Lawyer Before Accepting a Settlement

Almost all insurance companies intend to settle and close claims at the earliest possible opportunity. An insurance company will do this by making a settlement offer and asking for you to sign a release of liability form. By signing the release form, you are agreeing to accept their settlement offer for damages and bring your claim to a close. 

More importantly, by doing so, you are relinquishing your rights to take any further legal action or bring any additional damages for your claim. Due to the nature of injuries and loss associated with automotive accidents, it is always safe to wait until you are no longer in need of medical treatment or suffering any other type of physical, emotional, or financial loss.

One of the most important things you can do to protect yourself after an accident is to contact an experienced and aggressive attorney, like those at Fulmer Sill. With decades of collective experience, our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys have the resources, skills, and in-depth legal knowledge to effectively and aggressively advocate for you. 

Why You Shouldn't Delay in Seeing a Doctor

In the immediate aftermath of a car crash, you may experience shock and confusion, which might cloud your judgment. However, regardless of the perceived severity of the accident, seeking prompt medical attention is imperative for several reasons.

Hidden or Delayed Injuries

After a car accident, your body releases adrenaline, which can temporarily mask pain and symptoms of injuries. As a result, you may not immediately notice the extent of your injuries. Some injuries, such as whiplash, soft tissue injuries, or internal damage, may not present symptoms until hours, days, or even weeks later. 

By seeking medical attention immediately, you allow medical professionals to assess your condition thoroughly and identify any hidden injuries, ensuring they are treated promptly before they worsen.

Documentation for Insurance Claims

If you plan to file an insurance claim for your car accident, having medical documentation is essential. Insurance companies often require evidence of injuries sustained in the accident to process your claim. A timely visit to a medical professional will establish a connection between your injuries and the accident, strengthening your case and increasing the likelihood of a fair settlement.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

If your injuries are severe, you may require rehabilitation to regain full functionality and mobility. Timely medical attention can set you on the path to recovery faster. Physical therapy, chiropractic care, or other rehabilitation programs can be prescribed promptly, increasing the chances of a successful recovery.

Peace of Mind

Even if you feel fine after a car accident, the emotional aftermath can be overwhelming. Anxiety, stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common responses to such traumatic events. By seeking medical attention, you gain peace of mind knowing that you have taken the necessary steps to ensure your health and well-being.

Contact our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers online or by phone at (405) 433-7414. There are no fees for you unless we win your case. Hablamos español.