Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyers

Oklahoma Car Accident Injury Claims FAQs

Do I need to seek medical attention after a minor car accident?

Even if you feel relatively fine after a car accident, you should still be thoroughly examined by a qualified physician. Some common car accident injuries - such as whiplash and traumatic brain injury - may not show symptoms for several days or even weeks after an accident. Left untreated, these and other conditions can lead to serious pain and long-term medical complications.

Do I need to contact my insurance company after every car accident?

Most insurance companies require that you notify them after any type of car accident, even minor accidents. Failure to do so can result in higher insurance rates or a cancellation of your policy. You should contact your insurance company while you are still at the scene of an accident, but do not admit fault. Sometimes, dangerous road hazards or defective vehicle parts can contribute to accidents, and these factors are often not apparent until an investigation has taken place. Consult with an experienced attorney before negotiating any type of settlement with an insurance company.

Should I file a police report after a car accident?

Yes. You should contact emergency personnel immediately after your accident. When the police arrive, you will need to provide them with information about the accident and file a police report. Again, it is important that you do not admit fault to the police officers. You can discuss details about the accident without incriminating yourself, even if you were partially to blame.

Can I be compensated for my injuries even if I'm partially at fault for my accident?

The state of Oklahoma uses a "comparative negligence" system in determining compensation. This means that even if you played a role in an accident, you may still be eligible to receive compensation for some of your damages. You should not attempt to determine fault on your own. Oklahoma City Car Accident Attorney James Self will conduct an investigation into your accident to ensure that fault is properly assessed, and that you are provided with the full amount of compensation you are due.

How necessary is it to contact an attorney after a car accident?

Even if your car accident seems minor, you should contact an attorney before dealing with insurance companies. An attorney will best be able to determine the cause of your accident and the circumstances surrounding it, working to provide you with a fair settlement that takes all of your damages into account.

What to Do After ANY Auto Accident in Oklahoma.

When a careless driver in a car or truck is the cause of a motor vehicle accident it can mean medical bills, lost wages and severe pain and suffering.

If you've been injured in a car accident ANYWHERE in Oklahoma, we can help.

Auto accidents happen in an instant, and they can impact your ability to think clearly. There are a number of concerns that may run through your mind in the immediate aftermath: Are you or your passengers injured? Is the other driver hurt? Is your car totaled? Is there imminent danger of being hit by another vehicle?

Although a car accident is traumatic, it's important to think clearly and take the following basic steps to ensure that you and your passengers receive compensation should the collision be due to another driver's negligence.

Check for Injuries and Contact Authorities

The first step after an auto accident should be to assess yourself and your passengers for injuries. Contact police and let them know whether emergency medical responders are also necessary.

Consult with medical personnel immediately as the situation demands. It's important to note that symptoms of some injuries may not be readily apparent; if you feel unsure about your physical condition, it's best to request medical attention.

Cooperate With Police After the Auto Accident

Cooperate with police, and answer their questions honestly and completely. The authorities are there to accurately and objectively document the auto accident. If another driver is at fault for the collision, the police accident report may be vital to prove your claim.

While you should provide police and your insurance company with factual information regarding the auto accident, you should not admit fault.

Gather Information About the Auto Accident

Record as much information as possible about the accident and its circumstances. Some specifics to note if possible include:

• Names and contact information for other drivers involved
• Names and contact information for witnesses
• Insurance information of other drivers involved
• Driver's license numbers of other drivers involved
• Vehicle make, model, license plate numbers and VIN numbers of the vehicles involved
• General information about the conditions and circumstances in which the accident occurred

Although it's not always feasible to gather all of this information, the more details you can record the better in the event that you need to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney

Again, do not accept any responsibility for the accident even if you believe you may be at fault. You should contact experienced Oklahoma City car accident attorney James Self of Self & Associates before declaring fault to the police, other drivers or the insurance companies.

The insurance companies will try to minimize their costs, and it's wise to have a knowledgeable auto accident attorney advise you. Oklahoma lawyer James Self has more than three decades of experience representing victims of car accidents; he knows how to deal with insurance companies and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Why You Need the Best Oklahoma Car Accident Injury Lawyer

A car accident can be emotionally traumatic and financially devastating, especially if you or a loved one has been injured. In the aftermath of a car accident, you may feel confused and overwhelmed with questions such as:

• How will I pay my medical bills?
• How do I get the treatment I need to recover?
• Is the other driver adequately insured?
• Who is responsible for my car repair or replacement?
• How will I cover my cost of living if I'm unable to work?
• How do I know the insurance company's offer is fair?

Oklahoma City car accident attorney James Self can answer your questions, help you understand your rights and determine whether your have the grounds for a case.

Experience Matters in Oklahoma Car Accident Cases

Mr. Self and the Oklahoma personal injury team at Self & Associates have more than 30 years of experience helping car accident victims and their families receive the financial compensation and justice they deserve.

Insurance companies attempt to settle quickly and limit payouts. James Self understands insurance company practices and has the knowledge and willingness to fight for the money you're due; he has recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his auto accident clients.

Self & Associates has extensive experience working with investigators, accident reconstruction experts, physicians and other specialists necessary to building a strong case. While you focus on recovering from your car accident, Self & Associates will handle all the necessary documentation and lead you through the complex legal process.

How to Find the Best Oklahoma Car Accident Injury Lawyer for You

With so many options, choosing a car accident lawyer in Oklahoma can seem like a daunting task. However, if you know what to look for beforehand, choosing the best lawyer can actually be quite simple.

You want to make sure you are choosing an Oklahoma auto accident lawyer who has sufficient experience helping victims of accidents get the justice they are due. You also want to make sure you are choosing someone with a proven track record of winning large verdicts and settlements, signifying his ability to successfully get victims every penny they deserve. All of this information should be readily available on your potential Oklahoma accident attorney's website.

Your choice of auto accident attorney will directly impact the success of your case. Take your time when selecting your lawyer to make sure he is willing to provide you with his personal attention and fight tooth and nail to secure for your family the largest settlement possible.

About James Self

Oklahoma City accident attorney, James Self, has over three decades of experience helping victims get maximum compensation. Admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 1981, Mr. Self is devoted to providing aggressive and personalized representation for every client he takes.

Attorney Self is a tireless advocate of victim's rights and he has the background, tenacity, and courtroom experience necessary to win even the most difficult cases. Remember, when you are injured in an auto accident, insurance companies and the other driver will do whatever they can to ensure you receive as little compensation as possible. As one of the National Trial Lawyers Assiciation Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Mr. Self knows exactly what needs to be done to ensure you get the justice you so richly deserve.

Oklahoma Car Accident Causes

It is very difficult to identify the actual causes of auto accidents. During the attempt to collect information about an accident, information is often lost, either because people inaccurately report evidence of what they were doing when the accident occurred, or information was lost in the process of data collection. However, through significant studies--such as the 100-car naturalistic study, which used cameras and other data recording to track 100 drivers for a year or more and monitored all their driving-related behaviors--we are coming to understand just what causes car accidents.

Driver Inattention

Driver inattention is the most common cause of car accidents. Recognition errors, encompassing failing to watch the road or being distracted, account for about 40% of all crashes where the driver's behavior contributed to the cause of accidents, or about 37% of all crashes. In the 100-car study, driver inattention was shown to be an even greater factor. In this study, nearly 80% of crashes were shown to involve inattentive drivers.

Causes of inattention, in rank order, included:

• Wireless device
• Passenger distraction
• Internal distraction
• Vehicle-related distractions
• Personal hygiene tasks
• Eating while driving
• Distraction outside the car
• Talking or singing without a passenger in the car

The first two categories account for more incidents than all the others combined.

Driver Decision Error

Drivers may sometimes recognize the potential for a crash, but may make poor decisions about driving behaviors, leading to accidents. These include:

• Speeding when going straight or failing to slow for a curve
• Making poor assumptions about the other driver's action
• Performing an illegal maneuver
• Misjudgment of gap or speed
• Following too closely or other aggressive driving

Combined, these account for more than a third (34%) of all driver-related causes for accidents, or 31% of all accidents.

Driver Performance Error

Overcompensation, poor directional control, and other performance errors account for about 9% of all crashes.

Nonperformance Error

These account for about 7% of all car accidents.

Roadway Conditions

All roadway conditions combined (including icy roads) only account for about 1.5% of all car accidents.

Tire Failure or Bald Tires

Vehicle factors are not very common in car accidents. More accidents are caused by drivers being actually asleep at the wheel than by all vehicle-related factors. When these do occur, they are mostly related to the tires, which account for about 43% of vehicle related crashes (only about 1% of all crashes).

With driver-related factors responsible for about 93% of all accidents, it is likely that your car accident was due to another driver's mistake. If you have been involved in a car accident that was caused by another driver, an injury lawyer can help you get compensation.

Choosing the Best Oklahoma Car Accident Injury Lawyer for You is a Very Important Decision

You probably won't have trouble finding a practicing attorney in the Oklahoma City area. However, finding the right attorney for your car accident case, who has the experience to win you the money you deserve, can be much more difficult.

Take the necessary time to dedicate to your search for an Oklahoma City car wreck attorney. This professional will make a significant impact on the outcome of your case. You will want to find an attorney who specializes in motor vehicle accidents, as this professional will be the most experienced and have a strong command of the laws pertaining to these types ofpersonal injury claims.

What You Should Know Before Choosing a Lawyer

There are a number of things you should do before deciding on a lawyer. If you can get referrals from friends, coworkers or family members, do this first. Then research the education, experience and reputation of potential car accident lawyers in the Oklahoma City area.

Once you have narrowed your list to a select few, schedule an initial consultation. A majority of car accident attorneys in the Oklahoma City area offer free consultations, so you will have nothing to lose by meeting with several lawyers.

Ask your potential injury attorney about his or her experience handling claims such as yours. If he or she has won a number of accident injury claims, this is a good indication that they have the experience needed to win your case as well.

Also ask about trial experience. Even if you intend to settle out of court, you may be required to go to trial to receive a fair amount of compensation for your injuries. Your car wreck attorney must have trial experience to maximize the success of your claim.

After the Consultation

After the consultations with prospective Oklahoma City car accident attorneys, ask yourself the following:

• Do you feel comfortable working closely with this lawyer?
• Do you feel this attorney has the experience and skills necessary to handle your particular case?
• Do you understand the payment arrangements and fees associated with this claim?
• Did the lawyer explain the issues in a way that you can understand?

After considering the answers to these questions, you will be in a better position to select the Oklahoma City injury lawyer who is best for you.

What You Should Ask YOUR Auto Accident Injury Attorneys

An auto accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and collect a fair amount of damages if you are injured in an auto accident in Oklahoma City. With the vast number of practicing lawyers in Oklahoma City, it is important that you find the injury attorney who is best suited to take your case. To find the right one, you can schedule an initial consultation and bring with you a list of questions to ask your potential car accident attorney.

Make sure you ask about:

• Payment: Most personal injury attorneys in the Oklahoma City area work on contingency, meaning they do not charge a fee unless you are successful in recovering damages for your injury. However, it is important to know whether this is the case for each attorney, as hourly legal fees can become expensive.
• Court fees: Also ask what court fees and costs will you will be held responsible for. Even a personal injury attorney who works on a contingency basis may require clients to pay their own court costs and other fees associated with the investigation. Know the policy beforehand so there are no surprises.
• The credibility of your case: In order to recover damages, you have to prove that the other party's negligence caused the accident that left you injured. You must also demonstrate that you suffered financial losses as a result of these injuries. Your potential Oklahoma City car accident attorney can assess your claim and tell you whether or not it appears to have merit.
• Potential damages: While it is difficult to estimate an exact amount of money you may be able to collect, your Oklahoma City injury lawyer can speculate what damages you may quality for—including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Protecting your rights: Your potential Oklahoma City accident attorney can offer tips on how to protect your rights, such as filing with your insurance company, obtaining a police report, and what to do if the at-fault party's insurance company contacts you.