Tulsa Car Accident Lawyer and Auto Crash Attorney

Tulsa Car Accident Attorneys

If you’ve been injured in a Tulsa car accident, you need an experienced and compassionate attorney. Injuries and deaths are caused by car accidents every day, and every day, insurance companies take advantage of those victims. Even so, car insurance alone may not be enough to pay for the expenses incurred by the accident. Even if it seems clear who is at fault for the incident, actually getting paid may be harder than you expect. If you’ve been injured in an accident, find a Tulsa car accident lawyer that protects the little guy and knows the tricks of insurance companies. Don’t let them bully you into a bad settlement or no money at all. Let the team at 222 Injury Lawyers protect you during this difficult time.

Experienced Legal Representation for Tulsa Auto Accident Victims

After an accident, the right Tulsa car accident attorney can help you every step of the way. When you work with 222 Injury Lawyers, you can trust that you have the right attorneys to handle difficult personal injury claims for you in the Tulsa area. Our team understands the challenges you are likely to face after a car accident and know the bullying tactics of insurance companies. From dealing with large insurance companies to looking out for the little guy, we are always in our client’s corner.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Tulsa, OK

If you have been involved in a car accident in Tulsa, OK, the first thing you should do is stop immediately. Never leave the scene of an accident until you have assessed if there are any injuries or damages to other drivers and their vehicles. After you safely stop your vehicle, follow the steps below to ensure your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of other drivers and their passengers.

• Move your vehicle to safety, if possible. Use your hazard lights and/or flares to alert other vehicles if you must move your vehicle in heavy traffic or in a fast-paced thoroughfare.
• Especially if there are injuries, call the police via 911. If you know there are injuries, report them to the dispatcher so that the appropriate emergency response team can be dispatched to your location. If there are no serious injuries, request an officer be dispatched to the scene of the accident.
• Assess your own physical injuries, keeping in mind that excitement, shock, and adrenaline may make you unaware of your own injuries. If you are seriously injured, do not try to move. If you can move around, assess the injuries of other parties involved in the accident, and assist if you can. If someone else appears to be seriously injured, do not attempt to move them. Provide first aid if you are trained in doing so; otherwise, provide emotional support until emergency medical professionals arrive.
• Once the safety of everyone involved is secured, begin gathering information from other drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others involved in the accident. Law enforcement officers may provide this information to you, but it is wise to collect a backup copy in case any information is missing from the police report. If you see any onlookers who were eyewitnesses to the accident, ask for their contact information as well. Their testimony could be essential later in a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver responsible for the accident.
• Notify your insurance provider either by calling the number on your policy or, if your insurance company provides service through an app, use whichever means they require to report your accident. If possible, it can be useful to report an accident from the scene of the accident so you can be sure to collect any information your insurance provider asks for before everyone leaves.
• Finally, contact your Tulsa car accident lawyer. In the meantime, don’t admit fault for the accident to any other drivers, passengers, insurance representatives or adjusters, lawyers of other parties, or law enforcement officers. Do not sign anything except the police report or citation. When speaking to police, it is important to answer their questions honestly and thoroughly regarding the sequence of events that led up to the accident; however, you do not have to answer questions that you do not feel comfortable answering. You can defer police officers to speak to your attorney if you feel it is necessary. One of the most important things you should remember if you are injured in a car accident is not to settle with an insurance company without an attorney’s input. Rather, have an auto crash attorney in OK negotiate on your behalf to ensure you get the optimal amount for your settlement.

Types of Auto Accident Cases We Handle in Tulsa, OK

At 222 Injury Lawyers, we believe in the relationships we build – with clients, with co-workers, and with anyone else we encounter. Contact us if you are having trouble after a car accident that another driver caused. It is normal to have lots of legal questions about how you can hold them responsible for what happened to you and how much you can expect to be paid for it.

One of the best things you can do in this situation is to hire a Tulsa car accident attorney you can trust. First, you need to know your attorney has experience handling problems like yours.222 Injury Lawyers are compassionate and client-focused. Our team has helped many clients recover money for very bad accidents. Establishing liability—or figuring out who’s at fault for something—is what we know how to do for a wide range of car accident claims, including:

• Motorcycle Accidents – Car drivers are most often at fault for motorcycle accidents because they disregard motorcyclists and cause accidents through negligent driving, such as making improper left-hand turns or opening their car door in the roadway without thoroughly checking for oncoming vehicles.Car drivers often look for vehicles and don’t see motorcyclists. Consequently, there are far too many motorcycle accidents, and many result in personal injury claims against at-fault car drivers.
• Pedestrian Accidents – Contrary to popular belief, pedestrians do not have the right of way in Oklahoma unless they are using a designated crosswalk, sidewalk, or other identified pedestrian walkway. Nonetheless, drivers have a duty to look for pedestrians just like they do motorcyclists, though many drivers overlook pedestrians. The most common cause of pedestrian accidents is drivers texting or driving distracted. As a result, the driver doesn’t see the pedestrian and inadvertently, yet negligently, hits the pedestrian. Other common causes of pedestrian accidents include impaired driving, speeding, and rolling stops in which drivers fail to stop in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
• Truck Accidents – Truck accidents are often caused by driver error. In many cases, truck drivers are on the road for long hours and drive while drowsy. They also spend a significant amount of their time behind the wheel and become comfortable with tending to other tasks, such as operating cell phones while driving. This can be very dangerous for the truck drivers themselves, as well as others on the road with them. Types of truck accidents include rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, truck rollovers, jackknife accidents, sideswipe accidents, wide turn accidents, and T-bone accidents. Unfortunately, most truck accidents cause serious injury due to the impact they can have on smaller vehicles and their drivers and passengers.
• Rideshare Accidents – Rideshare drivers, like truck drivers, spend much of their time behind the wheel and often become fatigued while driving. They also are prone to speeding to pick up their next passenger, picking up, parking, and dropping off passengers in unsafe locations, and navigating roads with which they are unfamiliar. They often engage in distracted driving because they are operating their rideshare app, which directs them to their passenger pickup and destination spots. Insurance companies often try to pay even less for these claims than they do regular car accident claims. For this reason, it is imperative that anyone involved in a rideshare accident in Tulsa hire an experienced auto crash attorney who is well-versed in the laws that govern rideshare accidents.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Tulsa, OK

Accidents occur in Tulsa, OK, every day and in many capacities. Below are some of the most common causes of accidents that occur on Tulsa roadways.

• Rear-end accidents. These are some of the most common vehicle accidents in Tulsa. A driver who hits another driver from behind will normally be at fault absent special circumstances.
• Drunk driving car accidents. The effects of drivers causing an accident while they are intoxicated can be severe. Not only can drunk drivers face criminal charges for driving under the influence (DUI), but their actions can hurt the people we love. Because of this, drunk drivers can face increased penalties for hurting others, and the at-fault drunk driver can face a criminal sentence along with paying for the harm he or she caused you or a loved one.
• Fatal car accidents. Unfortunately, some car accident victims do not survive their collisions, leaving their families little choice but to pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver.
• Highway car accidents. Accidents on state highways can cause very bad injuries and result in substantial property damage like a totaled car or truck. Determining who’s to blame for a high-speed wreck can be hard without a good attorney.
• Intersection accidents. Many accidents happen in the Tulsa area because drivers do not follow the right-of-way rules and hit other vehicles by running red lights or stop signs.
• Hit-and-run car accidents. If a driver flees the scene of an accident that they caused, they can face criminal charges once the police find them. They can also face the risk of punitive damages for abandoning someone who is injured and in need of medical care.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist accidents. To protect its residents from the effects of bad car accidents, Oklahoma law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to their insureds to protect them when the other driver either doesn’t have insurance or does not have enough insurance to pay for what happened. Some of the rules for handling these claims can be tricky, so a good attorney is necessary to make sure you get what you deserve.
• Distracted driver accidents. Distracted driving can happen for a lot of different reasons. From looking away to answer the phone to bending over to pick something up, not paying attention to the road is the leading cause of all vehicle crashes in the United States. An experienced Tulsa car accident attorney knows how to prove another driver was not paying attention before your accident.

When you choose 222 Injury Lawyers to help you as your Tulsa car accident attorneys, you will have a team of lawyers in your corner who are serious about protecting you. We will help you with every step of the process—from filing an insurance claim to actually suing someone and going to trial—222 Injury Lawyers is a law firm you can trust to make sure you get paid what you are owed because of someone else’s actions.

Negligence in Tulsa Car Accidents

Car accident claims are a type of personal injury claim, which is why personal injury attorneys take on these cases. Negligence is key in personal injury claims, including car accident cases. However, it can be difficult to understand what specifically constitutes negligence in a given scenario.

Negligence occurs any time a person or business neglects to fulfill all their legal responsibilities or ignores a pertinent law. In the context of driving, negligence occurs when a driver does not follow all the rules of the road. This includes even “small” or common infractions such as speeding or tailgating.

Other examples of negligence while driving include:

• Texting, talking on the phone, or scrolling
• Eating, drinking, or applying makeup
• Watching the scenery or becoming distracted by one’s environment
• Turning to engage with children
• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Ignoring or missing road signs or signals

This is not a complete list of the ways that a driver can be negligent and cause an accident. There may be other scenarios that apply to your situation.

To win a personal injury settlement, you and your attorney must prove that negligence occurred. The most effective way to do this is through evidence. Potential pieces of evidence include:

• Video footage of the accident
• Photos of the damage
• Eyewitness statements
• Medical records
• Phone records
• Police reports

Depending on your circumstances, there may be additional pieces of evidence that are relevant to your case. Your attorney can help you identify and assemble the necessary evidence for your claim.

Insurance Companies and Car Accident Claims

Oklahoma is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means that the insurance of the responsible party must pay for the damages to both vehicles. This can cause delays, as insurance companies often argue over who is at fault and who has to pay.

It is important to understand that the insurance companies are not on your side. Their only priority is profits, which means that they will do everything possible to avoid expensive payouts. They will use any statement that you make against you. Their agents will attempt to twist your words to prove that you are at fault. They may even ask leading questions as they attempt to shirk their responsibilities.

The tactics that insurance companies use can be frightening. To protect yourself, do not make any statements or comments to adjusters without your attorney present. In fact, with an attorney on your side, you can direct insurance questions and requests directly to your lawyer’s firm. Our attorneys have extensive experience with insurance company tactics. We have learned to avoid the traps that they set. We can answer questions on your behalf while preserving your claim.

Common Types of Injuries in Tulsa Car Accidents

Any car accident can cause very serious or even deadly injuries. This risk is much higher for any accident that occurs at high speed. Bone fractures, internal organ injuries, and traumatic brain damage are just a few of the issues that can result from a car accident. Whiplash-related injuries—meaning when someone’s head snaps forwards and backward—are also common, and even though the name is simple, whiplash can cause many problems that result in permanent injuries to the upper back, neck, shoulders, and head.

Car accident victims may need long-term medical care. Their recovery may be long and complex. In addition, a car accident can hurt a family’s budget. It can be difficult to get what you need when you must also manage medical bills, car repair, and time away from work. The at-fault driver’s insurance may cover some of these costs, but a personal injury claim will be the next step to making sure car accident victims receive the money they need.

Recovering From Your Tulsa Car Accident

After an accident when another driver was at fault, you may be able to get paid for all that you’ve lost per Oklahoma state law. This can include pain and suffering, disfigurement, lost income, lost future earning potential if you have been left disabled, and the cost of repairing or replacing your car or truck. An experienced Tulsa car accident attorney can help you get the most recovery money possible for your situation.

Fatal Crashes and Wrongful Death Claims

Unfortunately, the injured party does not always survive the car accident. These scenarios are devastating for the victim’s family. They can lead to financial insecurity as well as immense grief.

In these situations, it may be appropriate to file a wrongful death claim. These claims are similar to personal injury claims. However, the family of the deceased files them rather than the driver themselves.

The settlement from a wrongful death claim cannot bring a loved one back. However, it can help pay for funeral and burial expenses, lost income, support for the deceased’s dependents, and more.

FAQs About Tulsa, OK Car Accidents

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can be serious and may result in injuries or extensive damage. Fortunately, the law allows you to take legal action if someone else’s negligent driving or actions led to a car accident and injury. To get the settlement that you deserve after a car accident, it is vital to have a qualified attorney representing you. Without legal representation, many victims do not get the medical and financial support that they need.

Is Oklahoma a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

No, Oklahoma is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means that the at-fault party’s insurance company pays for the damages to both drivers. Unfortunately, insurance companies are focused on profits. They will go to great lengths to avoid paying for damages. This can result in lengthy debates between insurance companies to determine who is at fault. In turn, this leads to a lapse in financial support for the drivers involved in the accident. It is critical to hire an accident attorney after a Tulsa collision.

Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Oklahoma?

In most rear-end vehicle crashes, the car that hits the other vehicle is at fault. In other words, the car that is last in succession is usually at fault. However, it is possible for the front vehicle to contribute to the rear-end collision by stopping suddenly or failing to proceed through a green light. Rear-end collisions can lead to lengthy litigation, especially in at-fault states like Oklahoma. In all car accident cases, you should hire a Tulsa car accident lawyer.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Insurance Claim in Oklahoma?

In most motor vehicle collisions, a driver has two years from the date of the accident to file an insurance claim. Despite this, insurance adjusters may pressure you into making a claim right after the accident. It is important to understand that you have time to call your attorney. You are also not under a legal obligation to speak to the insurance company immediately. However, it is important to begin the process as soon as possible to preserve evidence.

How Do I Start a Car Accident Claim?

The first step to filing a car accident claim against another driver is to contact your attorney. Attorney representation is important if you want to earn the settlement that you deserve, and we can help you begin the process. The legal system requires precision and attention, as there are several forms you will need to complete and submit. With an attorney’s help, this process can proceed smoothly. You can also rest assured that you have completed all steps correctly.

Contact Our Tulsa Car Accident Attorneys Today

Insurance companies often put people in vulnerable situations. When you work with us, we will stick up for you. When you work with us, you can approach this situation with peace of mind. Contact 222 Injury Lawyers today and schedule your consultation with a Tulsa car accident attorney you can trust.