Why Should Car Wreck Victims Pick Aggressive Representation?
Have you ever been involved in a car accident? Following a collision, confusion and urgency fill the moments as individuals grapple with the aftermath and seek assistance. As you check for injuries and assess the damage, your next steps are crucial for your physical and financial recovery. It's essential to understand your rights and the resources available to you. If you've been impacted by a traffic incident in Oklahoma, securing support from a knowledgeable car wreck attorney in OKC is crucial.
Initial Actions After a Car Accident
Experiencing a car accident can leave you feeling confused and unsettled. It's important to regain your composure and follow a set of proactive steps to safeguard your interests moving forward. Here is a guide to knowing the post-accident process, which can help you when it's time to manage the claims:
Secure Your Safety
Initially, ensure your immediate safety. If it's safe to do so, move your vehicle away from traffic to avoid further incidents. If moving your car isn't possible, activate your hazard lights and move to a safe area off the road, such as the sidewalk or the shoulder.
Assist Other Parties
Check on the well-being of others involved in the accident. Should there be any injuries, it's critical to call 911 immediately to get medical assistance to the scene.
Alert the Authorities
It's crucial to have the police come to the site of the accident. They will document the event in an official report, which is invaluable when filing insurance claims. Speak to the authorities when they arrive, but refrain from discussing fault at the scene to protect your legal rights.
Document Everything
Collecting thorough information at the scene is essential:
Obtain all drivers' names, contact details, and insurance information.
Note the license plate numbers, as well as the make and model of all vehicles involved.
Record the specific location of the incident.
Take note of the names and badge numbers of any responding officers.
Use your phone to take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including all vehicles, visible damages, and any relevant road conditions or signs.
Notify Your Insurer
Inform your insurance company about the accident as promptly as possible. Providing them with detailed information and the acquired evidence will help streamline the claims process.
Common Causes of Car Accidents Due to Driver Negligence
Drunk or Drugged Driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs epitomizes reckless driving. Statistics from 2020 indicate that drunk driving led to 871 injuries and 199 fatalities in Oklahoma. Similarly, drugged driving resulted in 288 fatalities and 391 injuries, highlighting the severe risks associated with impaired driving.
Distracted Driving: Beyond texting, distracted driving includes eating, grooming, and engaging with passengers or external distractions. In 2020, distractions caused 1,437 injuries and 44 deaths, highlighting the peril of not fully focusing on the road.
Speeding: This includes driving over the posted speed limit or too fast for conditions like inclement weather. Speed-related accidents in 2020 amounted to 1,637 incidents, resulting in 185 deaths and 1,929 injuries, showing the deadly consequences of speeding.
Drowsy Driving: Fatigue impairs a driver's reaction time and awareness, making it a critical risk factor. Drowsy driving shares dangerous similarities with drunk driving, as both drastically reduce a driver's ability to react to road conditions and hazards.
Ignoring Traffic Rules: Many accidents are caused by simple failures to adhere to road rules. Common violations include failing to yield the right of way, unsafe lane changes, running red lights, and not stopping for stop signs or other traffic signals.
Not Stopping for Pedestrians: Whether pedestrians are in a crosswalk or not, drivers must stop. Failure to do so can lead to severe accidents involving pedestrians, who are particularly vulnerable in traffic situations.
What Causes Oklahoma Car Accidents Not Related to Driver Error?
While many vehicle collisions involve human mistakes, there are also significant factors unrelated to driver behavior that can lead to serious accidents. These include faulty vehicle components, inadequate road design or maintenance, insufficient lighting or signage, and unexpected wildlife encounters. A proficient car wreck attorney in OKC is ready to defend your rights and advocate for your needs if you've suffered due to these conditions.
What Types of Injuries Do Car Accidents Commonly Cause?
The variety and severity of injuries in car wrecks depend on several factors. The speed of the vehicles at the moment of impact, the state of their brakes, and other elements can determine the outcome—from minor injuries to fatal outcomes.
Common injuries include:
Concussions and Head Traumas: Objects within the car or the windshield itself can cause significant head injuries with long-lasting effects.
Brain Damage Cases: This can occur with direct impact to the head or from severe shaking and the resultant brain trauma. Such injuries can profoundly affect an individual's lifestyle and capabilities. OKC car wreck attorneys dedicate themselves to securing justice for victims of accidents, ensuring their rights are protected.
Whiplash Impact: This injury involves damage to the neck's muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerves, often caused by rapid back-and-forth movement of the head. While some whiplash cases resolve over time, others lead to persistent pain and complications.
Neck and Back Strains: The force of a crash can injure the back and neck without visible wounds. Symptoms like pain, headaches, numbness, and restricted motion might not appear immediately due to adrenaline.
Spine Damage Analysis: Such injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, with victims potentially needing lifelong assistance. Car wreck attorneys understand the extensive needs of spinal injury patients and strive to obtain the necessary compensation.
Fracture Risks: Severe impacts can break ribs, knees, arms, and other bones, necessitating substantial medical attention and recovery time.
Organ Trauma Insights: Car accidents can cause critical damage to organs like the kidneys, liver, and lungs and lead to internal bleeding. Without prompt and effective treatment, these injuries can be fatal.
Lacerations and Scrapes: Shattered glass and vehicle debris can cause deep cuts, posing risks of severe infection and damage to deeper body structures.
Burns and Scalds: Burns in accidents can range from mild irritations to severe, disabling conditions that impact all aspects of life, including physical health and employment ability.
How Fault is Determined in Oklahoma Car Accidents
Determining fault in a car accident in Oklahoma hinges on the principle of negligence. Injury from another driver's negligence requires proving their fault caused the accident and ensuing injuries to secure compensation. Oklahoma employs a modified comparative negligence rule for calculating damages in incidents involving shared fault. According to this model, each party bears a percentage of responsibility relative to their contribution to the accident. It's important to note that if an injured party's fault is over 51%, they are ineligible to receive compensation under Oklahoma law.
The Role of a Car Wreck Attorney in Your Injury Case
Following a serious injury from a car wreck in Oklahoma City, victims often face overwhelming medical expenses and loss of income. During this challenging period, the guidance of a dedicated car wreck attorney becomes indispensable. A skilled attorney prioritizes your rights, securing adequate compensation for injuries and losses resulting from accidents, ensuring justice prevails.
Proving the other party's negligence in a car wreck aftermath is crucial for establishing liability and securing compensation. This can be daunting, especially when facing an insurance company equipped with experienced lawyers intent on minimizing your claim to safeguard their profits. A seasoned car wreck attorney will construct a robust case for compensation, strategically countering low settlement offers and advocating tirelessly on your behalf.
Need Legal Assistance After a Car Accident?
If you've been involved in a car accident in Oklahoma and are seeking justice and compensation, Foshee & Yaffe Attorneys at Law are here to help. In Oklahoma, our seasoned car wreck attorneys pledge to provide assertive legal representation, safeguarding your interests and securing rightful compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward recovery with a team that fights relentlessly for your rights.
**Disclaimer: This content is not to be construed as legal advice nor does it establish terms of a client-attorney relationship.