Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer

Tulsa Car Accident Attorney

Driving can be dangerous even for the safest drivers. Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death across the United States. Oklahoma’s car accident laws allow victims in crashes the opportunity to recover damages for their losses. While filing a claim is straightforward, it’s not always easy to secure a fair settlement. That’s why it’s recommended to work with a Tulsa car accident lawyer.

Fulmer Sill is a local Oklahoma personal injury firm that has been serving Tulsa residents for years. A Tulsa personal injury lawyer from our team has experience navigating complex cases to reach settlements through negotiations or a resolution through litigation with the Tulsa County District Court. We’re familiar with Tulsa’s car accident laws and are confident that we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Car Accident Laws in Oklahoma

Driving is inherently dangerous, even for the safest drivers out there. With so many people on the road, there’s a lot of room for things to go wrong. There were over 40,000 car accident fatalities and another 2.44 million traffic accident injuries reported across the United States in a single year. Traffic accidents are largely a result of poor driver behaviors like distracted driving, impaired driving, and speeding. Even the safest drivers can be injured in traffic collisions. You must trust every other driver on the road each time you get behind the wheel.

If you’re planning to travel anywhere on Oklahoma roads, it’s imperative that you understand how to stay safe and what to do in the event you’re in an accident. It’s not enough simply to be injured on the road to file a claim and recover damages. You must prove the other driver’s negligence and the extent of your injuries. A Tulsa car accident attorney from Fulmer Sill can help you navigate Oklahoma car accident laws to secure a fair settlement.

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OSHO) works with local law enforcement agencies to enforce traffic safety laws and educate the public on traffic safety. There were a total of 718 traffic fatalities recorded in Oklahoma in 2023, including 210 car occupants. Traffic accidents took the lives of 75 people in Tulsa alone that year.

You are at risk of being in an accident on any street. That said, some of the most dangerous interchanges in Oklahoma include the one between I-40 and I-235 and between I-40 and I-44. I-35 is also known for heavy commuter traffic throughout the city, especially once you’re in the downtown area. The I-240 can also be treacherous where it merges with other major highways around the city.

No matter where you get in trouble on the road, it is important to know what steps to take to help get yourself out of it. A Tulsa personal injury attorney can work with you to file a claim and recover the compensation you deserve.

Recovering Damages From a Car Accident Claim in Tulsa, OK

When you file a car accident claim in Tulsa, you can seek to recover economic and non-economic damages. This covers direct losses from the crash as well as more abstract ones. Economic damages are calculated by looking at bills, receipts, and other documentation of how much you paid in the wake of the accident.

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more difficult to calculate. You can expect insurance companies and courts to use the evidence you present to determine how much you’re owed for your pain and suffering. Common types of recoverable damages in a car accident claim include:

• Disability
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages and future earning potential
• Medical expenses
• Mental anguish
• Out-of-pocket costs
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disfigurement
• Property damages

It is important to note that Oklahoma law imposes a $500,000 cap on non-economic damages. A Tulsa car accident attorney can help you build a strong claim to recover the full amount of compensation for your losses. Your attorney will work with you to determine what damages you may be entitled to and the course of action to obtain them.

Gathering Evidence to Support Your Car Accident Claim

The more evidence you can gather to support your claim, the better chance you have to secure a fair amount of compensation for your losses. Start collecting information at the scene of the accident and document everything you can going forward. It’s helpful to gather evidence like:

• Doctor’s notes
• Other drivers’ information
• Medical bills
• Photos and videos
• Police report
• Professional opinions
• Surveillance footage
• Witness statements

It’s not uncommon for car accident scenes to be cleaned up quickly. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly when it comes to documenting everything for your claim. The more information you have, the better. You can count on a Tulsa car accident lawyer from Fulmer Sill to help you gather the information you need to support your claim.

Filing a Car Accident Claim in Tulsa

When another party is at fault for a car accident, it’s up to the victim to hold them accountable for the damages. In Oklahoma, you typically have two years to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. Many personal injury claims settle out of court through negotiations, mediation, or arbitration. These avenues allow both parties to communicate and come to an agreement on how much the claimant is owed.

If you’re not satisfied with their offer, you can settle your claim through litigation instead. You can turn to a Tulsa car accident lawyer to help you through any stage of the process. Our Tulsa car accident lawyers are comfortable negotiating with well-known insurance providers, and we’re familiar with handling cases through the Tulsa County District Court, too. No matter how your case escalates, you can count on our attorneys to be there for you.

In some cases, the victim in a car accident may succumb to their injuries. In these situations, the executor of their estate may file a wrongful death claim on their behalf to recover damages on behalf of their surviving family members. If the victim did not have an executor when they died, the court may assign one for them.

Wrongful death claims typically must be filed within two years of the victim’s death in order to recover damages. Recoverable damages from wrongful death claims in Tulsa include:

• Burial and funeral expenses
• Grief and mental anguish
• Loss of companionship/consortium
• Lost wages and benefits from the victim
• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Victim’s pain and suffering

It is wise to hire a car accident lawyer to help you understand your options for recovering damages after a crash. You can expect insurance companies to try to give you the minimum amount of compensation to cover your losses. It is important you know how to pursue what you deserve, and a Tulsa car accident attorney can help.

Oklahoma Comparative Fault

Oklahoma is a modified comparative fault state, which means damages are awarded on a percentage of fault basis. Since they follow a modified comparative fault law, victims can only file a claim as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

If you want to recover damages, it is imperative that you prove you had no fault in the incident. You can expect any percentage of fault to be reduced from your potential settlement. That’s why it is so important to gather evidence that demonstrates the other party’s fault. Our Tulsa car accident lawyers at Fulmer Sill can work with you to establish your lack of fault and help you collect a fair amount.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’re involved in a car accident in Oklahoma, it’s helpful to secure legal compensation from a local car accident attorney. Fulmer Sill is a local Oklahoma law firm that has been empowering injured people in Tulsa and beyond for decades. We’re familiar with Oklahoma roads and are committed to keeping our community members safe. You can count on us to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Our Tulsa car accident lawyers have decades of combined personal injury law experience that we’re ready to represent you. We moved away from the traditional law firm structure to embrace new technologies and streamline our practices. Our goal is to get you the settlement you’re owed without unnecessary costs and delays.

Plus, we handle big cases without big egos. Our team leads with compassion and personal attention. We’ve secured millions for countless clients over the years, including:

• $1.025 million car accident settlement
• $950,000 car accident settlement
• $325,000 car accident settlement

Our team is comfortable handling negotiations as well as litigation through the courts. No matter what happens throughout your case, you can count on us to be by your side to help you through it.

FAQs

What Are the Most Common Reasons Behind Car Accident Claims in Tulsa?

The most common reasons behind car accident claims in Tulsa include bad driver behaviors, poor road conditions, and inclement weather. Some of the worst driving behaviors include distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, and speeding. Speeding can also increase the likelihood of fatalities in a traffic incident. Bad weather and poor infrastructure can also lead to accidents. In some cases, you may be able to file against a vehicle manufacturer if a part of the actual car caused the accident.

Is Oklahoma an At-Fault Accident State?

Oklahoma is an at-fault accident state. This means that any party at fault for an accident is financially responsible for any damages or injuries suffered by others. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence law for accidents. Modified comparative negligence allows victims to recover damages if they are 50 percent or less at fault for the incident. It is critical to establish fault to recover damages.

What’s The Average Settlement for a Car Accident Claim in Tulsa?

The average settlement for a car accident claim in Tulsa is going to depend on the details of the accident, the strength of your claim, and any percentage of fault you have in the accident. It’s important to establish fault and gather evidence to support your claim if you want to recover full compensation. A Tulsa car accident attorney can help you with your strategy for your claim to recover the damages you are owed.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Tulsa?

The cost to hire a car accident lawyer in Tulsa depends on how much you recover from your car accident claim. Tulsa car accident attorneys typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they collect their fees only after securing your settlement. Contingency fees are convenient for the claimant because they allow them to access the legal support they need without paying any costs up front or out of pocket.

Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are stressful, and they can impact the rest of your life due to physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial impact. Oklahoma’s car accident laws allow victims to recover damages for their losses by holding the responsible party liable for the damages. If you wish to file a claim after a car accident, it’s wise to contact a Tulsa car accident attorney to help you through the claims process.

Fulmer Sill has been serving Tulsa residents for decades. We’re comfortable handling negotiations with difficult insurance companies as well as litigation through the Tulsa County District Court. You can count on us to be there to help you recover a fair amount of compensation to cover all your losses.

As a local Oklahoma law firm, we’re dedicated to helping Tulsa residents recover the damages they deserve after going through a car accident. Our office is in Oklahoma City, right off I-235, making us a quick trip for our clients throughout the state. If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail, our team is here to help. Contact us to schedule an appointment and discuss your case in more detail today.