When another driver’s mistake leaves you injured in a Tulsa car accident, Oklahoma law gives you the right to demand payment for the harm you’ve suffered. But what does that really mean for you, right now?
It means the stack of medical bills, the lost paychecks from missed work, and the cost of repairing your vehicle are all losses that the at-fault driver’s insurance should cover. However, getting fair payment is not a given. You will be dealing with insurance companies whose business incentives are at odds with your needs. You will face strict legal deadlines and complex rules of evidence.
This is a heavy burden to carry while you’re trying to heal.
At Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys, our Tulsa car accident lawyer is here to take that weight off your shoulders. We handle the insurance adjusters and the legal work so you can focus on your recovery. If you’ve been hurt in a crash, call us at (918) 747-1000 for a free, no-obligation conversation about your case.
Why Tulsa Families Choose Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys
For more than 50 years, Carr & Carr has been a constant for Oklahomans facing difficult times. Our firm was founded in 1973 with one clear mission: help people injured in accidents get their lives back on track.
We believe that financial concerns should never prevent you from getting the help you need. That’s why we promise every client:
- A Free Consultation: Your first conversation with us is always free. We will listen to what happened, explain your legal rights, and provide a straightforward assessment of your options.
- A No-Win, No-Fee Guarantee: You will not pay us any attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover money for you. That is our commitment.
- Personalized Attention: You are our neighbor, not a case file. Our team offers compassionate support to you and your family while we work relentlessly to secure a fair outcome from the insurance companies.
Our Tulsa office is located at 4416 South Harvard Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74135, just south of 41st Street. We are a local firm, and our attorneys are active in the community, from sponsoring local events to appearing on programs like Good Day Tulsa to share important legal information. We are proud to be your neighbors and are ready to help.
What Compensation Can You Pursue After a Car Accident?
The goal of financial compensation is to pay for every loss the accident inflicted on you. It is designed to restore you, as much as possible, to the position you were in moments before the collision. We group these losses into three distinct categories.
Economic Damages: The Billable Costs
These are the most concrete losses because they come with a paper trail—an invoice, a pay stub, a receipt.
- Medical Bills: This covers the full spectrum of care, from the ambulance ride and emergency room treatment to future surgeries, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
- Lost Wages: Payment for the income you lost while you were unable to work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injuries permanently affect your ability to do your job or force you into a lower-paying line of work.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair your vehicle or, if it’s a total loss, its replacement value. This also includes other damaged property, like a laptop or phone that was in the car.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Costs
These losses are just as real as the medical bills, but they don’t come with a price tag. This is compensation for how the accident has fundamentally rewritten your daily existence.
- Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and emotional distress your injuries have caused.
- Emotional Anguish: For the anxiety, fear, and trauma that can linger long after the physical wounds have healed.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the inability to take part in the hobbies, activities, and experiences that once brought you joy.
Punitive Damages: A Measure of Punishment
In rare situations where the at-fault driver’s conduct was exceptionally reckless or malicious, a court may award punitive damages. This type of compensation isn’t for your losses; it is intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar behavior. Under Oklahoma law, this might apply in a case against a drunk driver or a driver who intentionally caused harm, though the standard of proof is very high.
Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most in Tulsa?
A collision can occur on any street, but some roads and intersections in Tulsa are consistent sites of crashes. In one recent year, there were 1,506 injury or fatal accidents in the City of Tulsa. Heavy traffic volumes, confusing intersection designs, and the mix of highway and city speeds create conditions where mistakes are more likely to happen.
The Intersections We See Most Often:
Our firm handles cases from across the city, but certain locations appear in accident reports with alarming frequency. Local news and traffic data consistently identify several high-risk areas.
- The Broken Arrow (BA) Expressway: The interchanges along the BA, especially at Memorial Drive, Sheridan Road, and Lewis Avenue, are known for serious accidents.
- 71st Street: The stretch of 71st Street near Mingo Road and Memorial Drive is a major commercial artery with a hospital, a high school, and countless stores, leading to intense congestion and a high number of crashes.
- U.S. 169: The intersections where U.S. 169 (Mingo Valley Expressway) meets 41st, 51st, and 71st Streets are significant hotspots, largely due to the volume of traffic entering and exiting the highway.
- Memorial Drive: Intersections along Memorial Drive, particularly at 61st and 81st Streets, see frequent accidents, often related to traffic from Woodland Hills Mall and other shopping centers.
Contributing Factors in Tulsa Crashes:
- Time of Day: Accidents spike during the evening rush hour, between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
- Day of the Week: Fridays see the highest number of collisions in Tulsa.
- Common Causes: Speeding and distracted driving are two of the leading causes of preventable accidents throughout Tulsa County.
Understanding Your Tulsa Car Accident Claim
Every collision is different, but most fall into a few common patterns.
Types of Car Accidents We Handle:
- Rear-End Collisions: Extremely common in stop-and-go traffic, these crashes are a frequent cause of whiplash injuries.
- T-Bone (Side-Impact) Accidents: These usually happen at intersections when a driver fails to yield. The side of a vehicle offers little protection, often leading to serious injuries.
- Head-On Collisions: While less frequent, these are among the most destructive crashes, typically caused by a driver crossing the centerline into oncoming traffic.
- Sideswipe Accidents: Common on multi-lane roads like I-44 or U.S. 169, these occur when a driver changes lanes without properly checking their blind spot.
- Rollover Accidents: SUVs and trucks are more susceptible to these types of accidents, which can be triggered by a high-speed turn or an impact from another vehicle.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents:
We help clients with a wide spectrum of injuries, from those that heal within weeks to those that permanently alter a life.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The violent back-and-forth motion of a crash can damage the delicate soft tissues of the neck and spine.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: These can range from a herniated disc causing sciatica to catastrophic paralysis, requiring a lifetime of medical care.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even a seemingly mild concussion can have lasting cognitive and emotional consequences.
- Broken Bones: Fractures are common and can require surgery, plates, screws, and extensive rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs can be life-threatening and may not be immediately obvious at the scene of the accident.
Key Oklahoma Laws That Will Shape Your Case:
You don’t need to become a legal scholar, but a basic grasp of a few rules helps explain why certain actions are so important for your claim.
- Statute of Limitations: In Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you permanently lose your right to seek compensation.
- Modified Comparative Negligence: Oklahoma uses a “50 percent” rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of the blame is 50% or less. Your final payment is then reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if you are found 10% at fault, your award is reduced by 10%. If you are 51% at fault, you cannot recover anything.
- Accident Reporting: You are required to report any accident involving injury, death, or apparent property damage over $300. This is outlined in Oklahoma Statutes § 47-10-108.
How Insurance Companies Approach Accident Claims
Insurance companies are businesses with a primary duty to their shareholders: to maximize profit. This is achieved, in part, by critically examining payouts on claims. This financial reality puts their goal in direct conflict with yours. The friendly-sounding adjuster on the phone has a job to do, and that job is to protect the company’s bottom line.
We know what to watch for. An insurer might:
- Request a Recorded Statement: A simple “I’m feeling okay” can be twisted to mean you weren’t seriously hurt.
- Offer a Quick, Low Settlement: A fast offer looks tempting when bills are piling up, but it is almost always a fraction of your claim’s true value.
- Dispute Your Medical Treatment: They may hire a doctor to review your records for just fifteen minutes and conclude that your injuries weren’t caused by the crash or that your treatment was excessive.
- Use Delays as a Tactic: It’s a long, detailed process. It’s easy to get frustrated and accept a lower offer when bills are piling up. However, remember that doing so bars you from ever seeking compensation for your injuries again.
What Should You Do to Protect Your Claim?
While our team handles the legal work, there are steps you should take to strengthen your case and protect its value.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Plan: Attend every follow-up appointment and physical therapy session. Gaps in treatment are a red flag for insurance companies, who will argue your injuries must not have been serious.
- Keep a Journal: Each day, write down how you feel. Note your pain levels, difficulties with daily tasks, and the emotional toll.
- Track Every Expense: Keep a folder for all receipts, bills, and co-pays. Include mileage for trips to and from the doctor. Each envelope is a reminder of the crash’s true cost, and no expense is too small to document.
- Obtain the Police Report: We will do this for you, but having your own copy is always a good idea.
- Stay Off Social Media: An insurance company can easily take a photo or post out of context. A picture of you smiling at a family event could be used to argue you aren’t really suffering. The safest bet is to avoid posting until your case is resolved.
- Don’t Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurer: You have no obligation to speak with them. Simply refer them to our office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tulsa Car Accidents
What if the other driver didn’t have insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you can typically turn to your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is a part of your own policy that you pay for, designed to protect you in this exact scenario. We’ll review your policy to identify all available sources of recovery.
Do I have to go to court to get compensation?
The vast majority of car accident cases—more than 95%—are settled out of court. As experienced negotiators, we are often able to secure a fair settlement without ever filing a lawsuit. However, if an insurance company refuses to be reasonable, we are always prepared to take your case before a judge and jury to pursue the outcome you deserve.
How long will my Tulsa car accident case take to resolve?
The timeline varies significantly. A more straightforward claim might resolve in six to nine months, while a case involving severe injuries could take longer. The most important factor is not speed; it’s ensuring you have reached what doctors call “maximum medical improvement.” This allows us to understand the full, long-term cost of your injuries before we demand a final settlement.
Your Path Forward Starts with a Conversation
Let us provide the clarity you need. You do not have to face the insurance companies and the legal system alone.
Our Tulsa personal injury lawyer at Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys is here to answer your questions and protect your rights. For a free, confidential discussion about your case, call us now at (918) 747-1000.
Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys – Tulsa Office
Address: 4416 S Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135
Contact No: 866-510-0580