Injured in an Accident? Trust our Oklahoma City Legal Team
If you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in a car accident in Oklahoma City, you should not have to pay out of pocket for medical care, damaged property, and other expenses that inevitably pile up following a serious accident. You and your family might qualify for monetary compensation for your medical bills and treatment, lost wages, suffering, and other losses if the accident was caused by another person’s reckless and negligent actions. A compassionate and knowledgeable personal injury attorney at Abel Law Firm will thoroughly review the details of your case for free and help guide you through the legal process.
Since 1976, the Oklahoma City car accident lawyers at Abel Law Firm have handled thousands of cases all over Oklahoma. We have garnered a reputation for our knowledge and skill in navigating the most complex areas of personal injury law. The attorneys at our firm have an AVVO rating of 10 and are listed as Super Lawyers.
For over 50 years, Abel Law Firm has dedicated our efforts to the Oklahoma City community. We see the people we represent as our family and friends. We work tirelessly to protect the rights of Oklahoma City residents who have suffered a traumatic car accident and are prepared to do the same for you. If you’re considering legal representation for your car accident case, an attorney at Abel Law Firm will provide you with comprehensive and efficient guidance during this trying time. When you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, another party may owe you compensation. Contact an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney from Abel Law Firm to begin working on your case. Call us today at (405) 239-7046, fill out our email form, or chat live with a representative to schedule a free initial consultation.
Why Choose Abel Law Firm?
There are many Oklahoma City car accident firms to choose from. However, not all law firms can deliver consistent results to their clients. The following qualities set Abel Law Firm in a tier above the rest:
Experience
Few firms in Oklahoma City can claim the same success and reputation that Abel Law Firm has acquired in the last four decades. The attorneys at our firm have over 150 years of combined experience. Our partners and associates specialize in various practice areas of personal injury law and are prepared to use their combined skills in your case.
Track Record
The attorneys at our firm have a record of success in the many cases they are asked to take on. Some substantial settlements and verdicts awarded to our clients are $3,000,000 for auto negligence involving the death of a child, $1,973,020 for auto negligence involving severe injuries, and $925,000 for auto negligence involving texting while driving.
Client Satisfaction
At Abel Law Firm, our legal staff treats our clients compassionately and is sympathetic toward their current situation. We work hard to ensure our clients feel an open communication and understanding during this difficult time. Read what our past clients say about their experience with our firm in their testimonials.
Our Award-Winning Team
The attorneys at Abel Law Firm have earned a national reputation for their work on behalf of those who have suffered car accident-related injuries. Ed Abel currently has the highest rating by the Martindale peer review system and was also president of the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association. T. Luke Abel has an AVVO rating of 10. Our attorneys are Super Lawyers and members of the American Association for Justice.
What To Do After a Car Accident
You can never fully prepare for the hardships you face after a car crash. Physical pain, emotional trauma, and medical debt are just some after-effects that can prolong your life. The immediate aftermath of an accident can leave you feeling confused, overwhelmed, and disoriented. Don’t let the shock of what happened to you cloud your judgment. The steps you take next are crucial in protecting your rights.
Medical Treatment
Seeking medical care after an accident is critical. An ambulance can transport you from the accident scene, or you might be able to drive yourself to a hospital. Your injury might not seem like an imminent threat, but you should take it seriously. There could be internal damage or underlying issues that you can’t see.
The emergency room doctor will evaluate your condition and determine the type of treatment you will need. Follow their orders and follow up with the doctors they refer you to. Continue your treatment plan until your medical providers release you from their care. You mustn’t skip your appointments or decide that you don’t need to see your doctors anymore. The insurance company could use your non-compliance to prove your injury isn’t serious. They might deny your claim or provide a low settlement offer in response.
Hire A Lawyer
Handling your case without seeking legal representation can hurt you in the long run. You must follow a specific process, strict deadlines to observe, and extensive paperwork to complete. You likely won’t know the maximum compensation you deserve and might jump on the first settlement offer you receive, even if it doesn’t adequately cover your expenses.
Abel Law Firm has access to various resources and the necessary experience to investigate your case and determine its monetary value. We will advocate for your rights and fight hard to ensure the insurance company pays what they owe you. If our efforts are met with resistance, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
Maintain All Records
Don’t throw out any documentation related to your case. Medical records are a vital piece of evidence after a car accident. You need them to prove you sustained injuries and required medical treatment to recover. Keep a copy of your medical bills, prescription costs, and receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses. All could be useful in showing the settlement amount you need to compensate for your total losses.
Abel Law Firm can also collect various documents during our investigation. While you’re still attending your doctor’s appointments, you should send us a detailed list of all medical providers, facilities, and treatment dates so we can request all records associated with your treatment. If you begin seeing a new doctor, be sure to let us know so the records we submit to the insurance company don’t show any gaps in treatment.
We Know How To Investigate Car Accidents Thoroughly
The first step we will take when you hire us is to investigate the crash. If there’s an available police report, we can reconstruct the accident scene and determine who was at fault. We’ll obtain evidence to prove our findings and show the accident’s impact on your life.
Depending on the facts of your case, we might gather the following evidence:
- Accident scene evidence and photos
- Police reports
- Statements from people who witnessed the collision
- Video surveillance or security camera footage
- Your medical records and other documentation
- Lost wage reports from the times you missed work
- At-fault driver’s chemical test results, cell phone records, and other useful evidence proving they caused the accident
- Damage estimates for all vehicles
- Auto insurance policy information
Our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers understand the importance of recovering full and fair compensation for your expenses. You should not be responsible for the economic hardships you’ve faced. The at-fault driver or another negligent party should suffer the consequences of their actions.
Possible Compensation In A Car Accident Case
Many accident victims can’t afford medical treatment. Figuring out where to get the money for physical therapy, surgery, prescriptions, and other expenses can cause undue stress. You shouldn’t go into debt because of another driver’s carelessness.
We know the many obstacles you can face while pursuing compensation after a car crash. Insurance companies typically place their own interests over a claimant’s needs. They might not treat you fairly during the process or offer the settlement you need to pay for your medical bills and associated costs. Abel Law Firm wants to ensure you don’t pay for anything out-of-pocket. Our goal is to seek the maximum available money to compensate for your past and future losses, such as:
- Medical Bills
- Property Damage
- Mental Anguish
- Disfigurement
- Pain and Suffering
- Lost Wages
- Lost Earning Capacity
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Going into an insurance claim, you should understand that there might not be enough money available to cover everything. Most auto insurance policies only include $25,000 in coverage. That’s the state-required minimum liability limit. If your losses total $40,000, that won’t even come close to paying your expenses.
Fortunately, there are other options. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) is coverage available to accident victims when the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance or high enough limits to satisfy their total losses. It’s optional insurance, so you should check your policy to determine your coverage. You could receive a settlement for your medical bills or compensation if you lost your loved one in a car accident. UM doesn’t cover property damage, but your collision coverage could pay for repair costs.
If your loved one died in a car accident someone else caused, you might be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit. The losses you could pursue are:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering the deceased experienced from their fatal injury
- Lost wages and benefits the deceased would have earned if they survived the accident
- Punitive damages
The only person allowed to pursue a wrongful death case is the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. They must represent the interests of your loved one and any heirs or beneficiaries to the estate. The court could appoint a representative if one were never assigned, and it’s typically a surviving family member, such as a spouse or child.
Types of Car Accident Cases Abel Law Firm Can Handle
Unfortunately, all drivers and passengers risk being involved in an accident each time they take to the road. Because of the inherent danger of commuting, all drivers should stay alert, sober, and cautious when behind the wheel.
The smallest oversight can result in life-changing injuries or death to those involved in an accident. When another person’s error leaves you coping with new challenges, we are ready to help. Despite the vast number of daily accidents in America, every case is unique. They can have many underlying causes, including:
Drivers must remain focused behind the wheel and obey all traffic signs and signals. Running a red light or failing to yield the right of way could lead to a catastrophic accident.
Learn More About Learn MoreOklahoma statute § 47-11-901 defines reckless driving as operating a motor vehicle wantonly or carelessly without regard for another person’s safety or property. Examples of reckless driving include weaving in and out of traffic and road rage.
Learn More About Learn MoreAlcohol can significantly impair a person’s driving abilities, leading to a slower reaction time, poor decision-making skills, and reduced motor skills.
Learn More About Learn MorePedestrians can suffer severe injuries or death when a car crashes into them. A driver might blow through a stop sign or become distracted by their cell phone, preventing them from noticing someone crossing the street ahead.
Learn More About Learn MoreDefective parts result from manufacturer negligence. An error during the design, manufacturing, or marketing phase can create a defect, causing the vehicle to function incorrectly.
Learn More About Learn MorePotholes, cracked pavement, and other issues lead to hazardous conditions for motorists. Lack of proper maintenance and repairs leads to road defects that cause accidents.
Learn More About Learn MoreA driver who flees the scene of an accident not only breaks the law but also puts the occupants of other vehicles in danger. Abel Law Firm knows how to investigate this type of case and track down the at-fault driver or determine other options for recovering compensation.
Learn More About Learn MoreIllegal drugs, over-the-counter medication, and prescriptions could cause symptoms that prevent a person from driving safely. Common side effects of seemingly harmless drugs are drowsiness, headaches, and blurry vision.
Learn More About Learn MoreAnything that redirects a driver’s attention or focus from the task of driving is a form of distracted driving. 1,413 people sustained injuries or died due to distracted driving in 2018.
Learn More About Learn MoreTailgating typically leads to one driver colliding with the back of another person’s car. Without adequate space between both vehicles, avoiding an accident is nearly impossible if traffic comes to a standstill.
Learn More About Learn MoreDriving above the speed limit or too fast for conditions gives a motorist less time to react to a road hazard or a stopped vehicle ahead. The violent impact of two cars colliding at excessive speeds can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
Learn More About Learn MoreEven though laws require purchasing liability insurance, you could end up in an accident with an uninsured driver. Our Oklahoma City car accident attorneys are familiar with the options for recovering compensation after this type of accident.
Learn More About Learn MoreCars with a high center of gravity are susceptible to rolling over after crashing into another vehicle, stationary object, or road hazard. However, any vehicle could roll under the right circumstances.
Learn More About Learn MoreA T-bone accident occurs when one vehicle crashes head first into the side of another. The occupants of the impacted car could become pinned between the crushed metal, causing devastating injuries.
Learn More About Learn MoreMany factors could lead to an accident involving only one car. While the driver’s actions could be the reason for a crash, another driver, pedestrian, or malfunctioning traffic light could also play a role.
Learn More About Learn MoreMulti-Vehicle Accidents – Accidents involving more than two cars can cause massive destruction. Multiple parties typically suffer injuries requiring medical treatment to heal. It can be challenging determining who’s at fault when there are multiple drivers, but Abel Law Firm has experience handling this type of investigation.
Learn More About Learn MoreAt Abel Law Firm, our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to help you receive reparations for your suffering.
Injuries You Could Suffer In A Car Accident
The types of injuries seen in car accident victims vary widely, ranging from minor to incredibly severe and life-changing. Some typical injuries in a highway accident include:
- Cuts, bruises, and scrapes
- Broken bones
- Concussion
- Whiplash from sudden stops, causing neck and spinal cord damage
- Spinal injuries, possibly leading to partial or full paralysis
- Head and brain trauma from blunt impacts, sometimes leading to permanent brain damage
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and mental trauma related to the crash
Always get immediate medical attention after a car crash. It’s often a good idea to keep records of your injuries and the pain you experience. You should also take photographs of your injuries as soon as possible after the accident.
Deadline for Filing A Civil Lawsuit
An insurance claim isn’t your only option for pursuing compensation after a car accident. You might be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. There is a timeframe for filing this type of legal case known as a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Oklahoma is two years. That means you only have two years from the accident date to sue. If the statutory time limit passes before you file suit, you could lose your right to compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A serious injury can quickly complicate your life. If you are serious about finding the right lawyer, we know you have questions. We’ve compiled some frequently asked questions for your convenience. However, to discuss your case in more detail with one of our car accident lawyers, call us today at (405) 239-7046 for a free case evaluation.
Yes. We know that as an injury victim, you are already dealing with a somewhat sensitive financial situation. Medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage all come with a pretty high sticker price. That is why the injury attorneys at Abel Law Firm work on a contingency basis. This means that we don’t have any fees upfront. You only pay us for our services if we can secure a favorable settlement or verdict for you successfully. If we fail to recover any compensation, you will never owe us anything.
Oklahoma Statute – 23-13 outlines that your award will be reduced according to the percentage you are found at fault for the accident under the doctrine of comparative negligence. If you are more than 50% responsible for the accident, you’re barred from recovering any compensation. This means that if you incur $100,000 in losses and are found 25% responsible for the accident, you could only recover $75,000.
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible following a collision. Even if you believe that your injuries are not serious, if you plan on taking legal action against the party that caused your accident, it is important that you have your medical condition evaluated. Moreover, many injuries related to collisions are not accompanied by apparent external injuries. If a head injury like a concussion goes undiagnosed and untreated, the consequences could ultimately be fatal.