Stillwater Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal Injury Representation Throughout Payne County, Guthrie, Pawnee, Perry, Ponca City, and all of Oklahoma State
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Oklahoma Personal Injury Guide
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The silver lining here is that you may be eligible to bring a personal injury claim so that you can see the compensation you deserve. With the help of an experienced Stillwater personal injury lawyer, you can determine who was at fault, determine the value of your injuries, and fight the insurance company tooth and nail to get what is fair. We work on a contingency fee basis — there’s no cost to you unless we win.
Hiring the Right Attorney
It could very well be a tough, long battle with the insurance company, so having someone who you like and trust on your side will make all the difference in the world. Your attorney should be someone who you feel like can take care of you. There will be challenges and obstacles, and if you don’t have confidence in your attorney, that is going to be an issue. You might not get what you deserve. To ensure that you have the right attorney on your side, you should look for someone who is experienced and competent. During your free consultation, interview your attorney to make sure that they are a good fit. Ask them about their past cases. See if they have handled cases like yours.
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At Murray Law Firm, we are confident that you will find a good fit with Stillwater personal injury lawyer James Murray. Please call our office to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and see how we can help you on your way to getting compensation.
Accidents in Oklahoma
Personal injury is a broader term for many subcategories. Your injury will probably fall into one or more subcategories of personal injury. The types of personal injury cases include:
- Accidents at the workplace
- Traffic accidents
- Dog bites
- Slip and falls
- Product liability
- Chemical exposure
- Burns
It is best to meet with an attorney to discuss the details of your accident and tell them the extent of the injuries that you sustained so that you can figure out your next steps.
Modified Comparative Fault State
In Oklahoma, they use what is called modified comparative fault. Essentially, what this rule does is it allows for there to be shared fault. In some states, if you are even a little bit at fault, 1%, you cannot bring a claim. You would be completely barred from filing a personal injury claim. In Oklahoma, thankfully, there is some leniency. The only way you will NOT receive compensation is if you have 51% fault or more for the accident — at 50% or less, you can still recover. In theory, if you were only 20% at fault, you will be able to file a claim. The only limitation with having that 20% fault is how much you can recover in damages. Let’s say you would be awarded $15,000. Because you were 20% at fault, your compensation is reduced by that percentage. You would receive the remaining 80% of $15,000, which is $12,000. Getting an attorney involved early on can help you avoid costly mistakes that the insurance company can use to make you seem more at fault than you really are. While you may have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, you should not wait that long to hire an attorney. It will make it very difficult for them to get you the compensation you deserve.
Avoiding Critical Mistakes
The insurance company that represents the at fault party will do everything in their power to fight your claim. They will try to pin the blame on you. They do this because they don’t want to give you what your case is worth. They will try to turn the blame on you every chance they get. That’s why it is so important that you do not make any statements for them. If they call, they may ask you a simple question, “How are you doing?” Many people just automatically respond politely. They will say, “I’m doing well, how are you?” or something along those lines. If you say that, or anything like that, they can and will use that against you. You will be trying to ask them for money for the severe injuries you are suffering from because their insured was careless, and they will throw that statement back in your face. They will try to argue that you said you were well and that you can’t possibly need compensation if you were doing well. This is extremely unfair, but it can be avoided. If the insurance company calls you and wants to talk, don’t give them anything. You can tell them, “I’m acquiring council and all communications will go through them.” You will avoid any issues with making a statement by turning them away to your lawyer.
Arrange A Free Consultation With A Dedicated Stillwater Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are in serious pain, dealing with piling medical bills, and have an insurance company pestering you for a statement, you should talk to a lawyer. Call an experienced Stillwater personal injury lawyer at Murray Law Firm today for a free consultation. You can focus on recovery while James Murray takes on your case and fights to get you the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and damages — there’s no fee unless we win.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury in Stillwater, OK
Yes. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence system. You can recover damages as long as you are found 50% or less at fault for the accident; if you’re found 51% or more at fault, you’re barred from recovering. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Stillwater personal injury attorney James V. Murray can help minimize fault attributed to you and fight for maximum compensation based on the circumstances of your case.
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence — whether in a car accident, a slip and fall, a defective product, or another type of incident — you likely have grounds for a claim. The best way to know for certain is to speak with an attorney who can evaluate the details of your accident and injuries during a free consultation.
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In cases involving permanent injury or wrongful death, additional damages may also be available. An attorney can evaluate your specific case to determine the full value of your claim.
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Waiting until that window is nearly closed makes it much harder to gather evidence and build a strong case, so it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after your accident.
It’s best to avoid giving any detailed statements to an insurance company before you’ve spoken with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions designed to minimize your claim, and even an innocent, polite response can later be used against you. Once you have an attorney, all communication with the insurance company should go through them.
Murray Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, meaning there’s no cost to you unless we win your case. We also offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation with no obligation.
Look for an attorney with real experience handling cases similar to yours, and use your free consultation to ask about their past results. Just as importantly, choose someone you feel comfortable with — you’ll be relying on this person throughout what can be a long process, and having confidence in your attorney makes a real difference in the outcome.