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Last Modified on Dec 02, 2025
Car accidents happen every day in Oklahoma City. Crashes can occur on busy highways like I-35 or I-40 as well as on smaller streets throughout the area, and it is important to understand what happens when your car is totaled in Oklahoma City. If another driver caused your accident, you need to hire a car accident lawyer to help you hold them accountable for the resulting damages, and you have a limited time to do so.
What Happens When Your Car Is Totaled in Oklahoma City?
Fulmer Sill empowers injured people in their car accident cases in Oklahoma City. If you believe another driver caused your recent accident, you can rely on our team to help you hold them accountable for your damages. Part of your recovery includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle. However, a vehicle is considered “totaled” when the cost to repair it exceeds the vehicle’s actual cash value.
The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety reported more than 66,000 vehicle crashes statewide in 2021. While many of these accidents resulted in injuries and deaths, almost 45,000 resulted in only property damage. Every Oklahoma driver is required to have auto insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements for bodily injury liability and property damage liability, and an at-fault driver’s policy pays for the damages they caused in an accident.
Filing an auto insurance claim is typically your first option for recovering compensation for an accident in Oklahoma City. However, most insurance companies attempt to settle these claims for as little as possible. You need to hire a car accident lawyer you can trust to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf and ensure you receive appropriate compensation when your car is totaled in an accident.
Recovering Compensation for a Car Accident in Oklahoma City
When another driver is responsible for your recent accident, an Oklahoma City car accident attorney is an invaluable asset for helping you recover your losses. Once your attorney has helped you prove fault for the accident, they can determine the optimal way to recover your damages. This process usually begins with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s policy.
Your attorney can evaluate the total cost of repairing your vehicle and compare this to the vehicle’s pre-accident actual cash value. If repair costs exceed this value, the car is totaled. In this situation, the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier will likely pay the actual cash value of the vehicle, but only up to the policy’s coverage limits. Your attorney can ensure fairness in this determination, and they can also help you claim compensation for other damages.
Some accident victims may choose to take the actual case value and sell the totaled vehicle to the insurance carrier as salvage. If the driver strongly wishes to repair the vehicle, the insurance company can deduct the vehicle’s salvage value from the settlement, and the state can issue a salvage title for the vehicle. The owner will need to pay for repairs themselves, and it can be very difficult to meet Oklahoma’s requirements to safely drive a reconstructed vehicle this way.
Your attorney can help you dispute the insurance company’s assessment of your vehicle’s actual cash value if you think their estimate is too low. They can also ensure you receive appropriate compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Fulmer Sill is confident we can help you resolve your car accident case and maximize your recovery. Reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn more about the legal services we offer in Oklahoma City.
FAQs
How Do You Prove Liability for a Car Accident in Oklahoma City?
You can prove liability for a car accident in Oklahoma City using various types of evidence that a skilled attorney can obtain on your behalf. You may need police reports, witness statements, cell phone records, and, if available, traffic camera footage. Hire a car accident lawyer right away so they can begin gathering the evidence you will need to win your case.
What Happens if I Share Fault for My Car Accident in Oklahoma City?
If you share fault for your car accident in Oklahoma City, you still have the right to claim compensation from the other at-fault driver as long as you are less at fault. Under Oklahoma’s modified comparative negligence rule, a plaintiff who is partially liable for their accident can only claim compensation if their fault percentage is lower than the defendant’s, and this percentage is deducted from their personal injury settlement or case award.
What Do I Do if the Insurance Company Offers a Lowball Settlement?
If the insurance company offers a lowball settlement, it is crucial to have an attorney negotiate on your behalf. Some insurance companies will attempt to take advantage of injured claimants, hoping they will accept the first offer without a fight. However, if you hire a car accident lawyer before filing your auto insurance claim, you are more likely to be treated fairly. If any disputes arise, your attorney will be ready to help you resolve them and secure a fair settlement.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer After My Car Is Totaled?
After your car is totaled, you should hire a car accident lawyer to have a better chance of maximizing the compensation you receive for the totaled vehicle. You could encounter a dispute with the estimated cost of repairs, or an insurance company may attempt to lowball the actual cash value of your vehicle if repairs aren’t a viable option. Ultimately, you have a better chance of maximizing your compensation with an attorney’s help.
It’s important to know what happens when your car is totaled in Oklahoma City, and the right attorney can assist you with every step of your recovery efforts after an accident another driver caused. Fulmer Sill can empower injured people in their accident cases, and we have a strong record of successful representation in car accident cases. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Oklahoma City car accident attorney.
