If another driver’s negligence injured you in Oklahoma City, the law gives you a direct path to seek compensation for your harm. Pursuing a car accident claim holds the responsible party accountable and secures the financial resources you need to cover medical treatments, lost income, and the personal disruption to your life.
But how do you do that?
The time after a crash is filled with phone calls from insurance adjusters, medical appointments, and the pressure of bills that don’t stop arriving. Trying to manage a legal claim in the middle of all that is a heavy burden, especially when you should be focused on healing. This is where an experienced Oklahoma City car accident lawyer can help.
Our purpose is to manage the entire claims process for you. For over 50 years, our firm has helped Oklahomans in this exact situation. We handle the investigation, evidence gathering, and all negotiations, so you can put your energy where it belongs: on your recovery.
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, call Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys today at (405) 691-1600 for a free, no-obligation conversation about your case.
Why Choose Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys?
A Legacy of Trust in the Oklahoma City Community
Since our founding in 1973, Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys has been a steadfast presence for Oklahomans. Our deep roots here mean we have a fundamental understanding of how local courts and insurance companies operate.
A Team Approach Focused on You
From the moment you call, you will notice a difference. Our team of eleven attorneys and dedicated support staff works together, ensuring you receive direct and personalized attention. We believe in clear communication, keeping you informed, and providing steady guidance when you need it most.
Our Promise to You:
- Free Case Consultation: We will listen to your story and explain your options with no cost or commitment.
- No Win, No Fee Guarantee: You will not pay us anything unless we successfully recover compensation for you. This is called a contingency fee basis, and it means our goals are directly aligned with yours.
- Proven Trial Experience: While most cases settle, insurance companies know which firms are willing and able to go to court. Our reputation for being prepared for trial gives your claim significant leverage from the start.
How Much Is My Oklahoma City Car Accident Case Worth?
The goal of a car accident claim is to make you whole again, at least financially. Compensation is intended to cover every single loss the accident forced upon you. These losses, or “damages,” are typically grouped into three categories.
Economic Damages: The Tangible Costs
Think of these as the stack of bills and receipts that pile up after a crash. They are the most straightforward part of a claim because they have a clear dollar value.
- Medical Expenses: This includes everything from the initial ambulance ride and emergency room visit to future surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and assistive devices.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for the paychecks you missed while out of work.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or limit your ability to earn a living in the future, this damage covers that long-term financial impact.
- Property Damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any other property damaged in the crash.
Non-Economic Damages: The Human Cost
These damages are harder to quantify but are just as real. They address how the accident has rewritten your life.
- Pain and Suffering: Acknowledges the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries.
- Emotional Anguish: Covers the anxiety, depression, fear, or sleep disturbances that frequently follow a traumatic event.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If you can no longer play with your children, garden, or participate in hobbies that once brought you joy, this compensates for that loss.
Punitive Damages: A Penalty for Reckless Behavior
This category is different. It is not designed to compensate you for a loss but to punish the at-fault party for extreme conduct and to deter others from similar behavior. In Oklahoma, punitive damages are reserved for rare cases involving actions like drunk driving or a hit-and-run where the defendant showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others.
Where Do Car Accidents Happen Most in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City’s position as a major crossroads, with I-35, I-40, and I-44 all converging here, creates a high volume of traffic and, unfortunately, a significant number of accidents.
Major Interstates are Known Hotspots:
- I-40: As a primary east-west corridor, I-40 is one of the busiest and most dangerous roads in OKC. Hotspots frequently appear near interchanges like N Martin Luther King Ave and Choctaw Rd.
- I-35 and I-240 Interchange: The “Crossroads of America” is notorious for congestion and accidents. The cloverleaf design at the I-35/I-240 interchange has been a known hazard for years, leading to ongoing construction projects aimed at improving safety.
- Lake Hefner Parkway: This major artery on the northwest side of the city sees a disproportionate number of serious accidents each year.
The Most Dangerous Intersections in OKC
While any intersection can be dangerous, we frequently see accidents occurring at:
- Intersections along the Northwest Expressway, particularly at Pennsylvania Ave, Rockwell Ave, and Belle Isle Blvd.
- South Western Avenue at SW 59th Street and SW 62nd Street.
- The interchanges of I-40 & I-44 and I-240 & US 77 (I-35).
- Reno Avenue where it intersects with S. Klein Avenue.
Understanding Your Oklahoma Car Accident Claim
Common Types of Car Accidents in Oklahoma City
- Rear-End Collisions: Typically caused by distracted driving or tailgating, these are among the most frequent types of crashes.
- Intersection Accidents (T-Bone Crashes): These happen when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield the right-of-way. The Federal Highway Administration notes that about half of all injury accidents in the U.S. happen at intersections.
- Sideswipe and Unsafe Lane Change Accidents: Common on multi-lane roads like I-240 or the Northwest Expressway, where drivers fail to check their blind spots.
- Head-On Collisions: Though less common, these result in some of the most severe injuries due to the combined force of impact.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Despite awareness campaigns, impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatal and serious injury crashes in Oklahoma.
Common Injuries We See
- Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries: The sudden jarring motion of a crash can strain muscles and ligaments in the neck and back.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have lifelong consequences.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries: Herniated discs or, in the worst cases, paralysis can result from the forces in a crash.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact can easily cause fractures to arms, legs, ribs, and hips.
Important Oklahoma Laws That Will Shape Your Case
- The Two-Year Deadline (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, the door to seeking compensation closes forever. This two-year clock does not stop just because you are negotiating with an insurance company.
- The 50% Fault Rule (Modified Comparative Negligence): Oklahoma law uses a system to assign fault. It’s a legal concept that means you can still recover damages even if you were partially to blame for the accident, as long as your share of fault is 49% or less. Your final compensation award is then reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 10% at fault, your $100,000 award would be reduced to $90,000. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything.
- Minimum Insurance Requirements: Oklahoma law requires all drivers to carry at least 25/50/25 liability coverage: $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 total per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Unfortunately, a serious accident can easily burn through these minimum limits, which is why carrying Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is so important.
Dealing with the Insurance Company
Remember that an insurance company is a business. Its primary responsibility is to its shareholders, which involves protecting its bottom line. This financial reality creates a direct conflict with your need for full and fair compensation.
Common Tactics to Watch For:
- Requesting a Recorded Statement: You are not obligated to provide one to the other driver’s insurer. These statements can be used to twist your words and assign partial fault to you. A skilled Oklahoma City car accident lawyer will advise you on how to handle these requests.
- Offering a Quick, Low Settlement: An early offer might be tempting, especially when bills are piling up. However, these offers rarely account for the full, long-term cost of your injuries, such as future medical needs or lost earning potential.
- Downplaying Your Injuries: An adjuster might suggest your pain isn’t as bad as you claim or that it was from a pre-existing condition. They may scrutinize your medical records looking for anything to reduce the value of your claim.
- Delaying Tactics: Some insurers may drag out the process, hoping you will become frustrated and accept a lower offer out of desperation.
What You Should Do Now to Protect Your Claim
While we handle the legal work, there are practical steps you should take to strengthen your case.
- Follow Your Doctor’s Treatment Plan: It is critical to attend all follow-up appointments, go to physical therapy, and take prescribed medications. This not only helps your recovery but also creates a clear medical record that documents the extent of your injuries.
- Keep a Pain and Symptom Journal: Write down your daily pain levels, how your injuries are affecting your sleep and daily activities, and any emotional struggles you are experiencing. Witness memories are like ice cubes melting in the sun, and so is the memory of your own day-to-day struggles. This journal becomes a powerful piece of evidence.
- Track All Expenses: Keep every bill, receipt, and invoice related to the accident. This includes medical co-pays, prescription costs, and even mileage for driving to doctor’s appointments.
- Obtain the Official Police Report: The police report is the rough draft of the truth. It contains important details about the crash, witness information, and the officer’s initial assessment of fault.
- Stay Off Social Media: Insurance companies absolutely will look at your social media profiles. A photo of you at a family barbecue could be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you claim. It is best to avoid posting anything about the accident or your recovery until your case is resolved.
Frequently Asked Questions for an Oklahoma City Car Accident Lawyer
What happens if the driver who hit me was uninsured or fled the scene?
This is where your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage comes into play. This is coverage you purchase as part of your own policy to protect you in exactly this situation. We’ll help you file a claim with your own insurance company to cover your damages.
How long will my car accident case take to resolve?
The timeline varies greatly depending on the specifics of the case. A straightforward case with clear fault and minor injuries might settle in a few months. A case involving severe injuries or disputed fault could take a year or longer, especially if a lawsuit becomes necessary. Our focus is on securing the best possible outcome, not the fastest one.
Will I have to go to court?
It is unlikely. The vast majority of car accident cases—around 95%—are settled out of court through negotiations. However, we prepare every case as if it is going to trial. This thorough preparation puts us in the strongest possible negotiating position and ensures we are ready to go to court if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement.
Your Path to Recovery Begins Here
Let our team at Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys handle the legal details and the insurance negotiations so you can put all your energy into what matters most: your health and your family. For over 50 years, we have stood beside injured Oklahomans as their trusted Oklahoma City personal injury lawyer, and we are ready to stand with you.
Call us today at (405) 691-1600 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
Carr & Carr Injury Attorneys – Oklahoma City Office
Address: 1350 SW 89th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73159
Contact No: 405-691-1600