Personal injury is a broad field within the legal profession that encompasses lots of different categories of injuries. There are two things that tie personal injury cases together: 1) someone has suffered an injury or death and 2) someone else can be held legally responsible for the harm that was caused. Personal injury cases can be quite complex with individuals, corporations, and insurance companies all getting involved in the role of defendant.

If you’ve been hurt and are facing the costs and losses or if a loved one has been killed due to someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering if you have a case that requires the help of a Duncan personal injury lawyer. Read more about what kinds of cases these we can help with as you make a decision about your next steps.

What accidents can a Duncan personal injury lawyer help me with?

Duncan personal injury lawyers help with a wide variety of cases. Some lawyers specialize in particular kinds of personal injury while others have broader experience in a wide range of these cases. You’ll want to find a lawyer who has experience working on cases like yours. These experienced professionals can provide a range of legal services that will make your case go more smoothly. These include the following:

Gathering evidence– Lawyers know what evidence is needed to establish your case. From medical documentation to lost wages and from witness statements to pointing out inadequate defense testimony, a Duncan lawyer can make sure that your case is as strong as possible.
Negotiating settlements– Many personal injury cases settle before going to trial. Getting a lawyer involved can help make sure that the offers you receive are fair and reasonable. If not, your lawyer can help negotiate on your behalf and show the defense that you’re prepared to take the case to court in Duncan if they don’t make a better offer.
Representing you in court– If a personal injury case does make it to the courtroom, you’ll be arguing your case against a defense team. If your lawsuit involves a corporation or an insurance company, that defense team will likely be well-resourced and formidable. You’ll want an experienced and capable Duncan lawyer on your side.

These basic principles are true regardless of the kind of personal injury case you’re facing. Here are some of the most common examples:

CAR ACCIDENTS

There are approximately 200 car crashes every day in the state of Oklahoma. While some of these are minor fender benders, others are devastating accidents resulting in fatalities. Many are somewhere in between with serious injuries and totaled vehicles. Around 22,000 car accidents in Oklahoma result in injuries every year.

After a car crash, you may be facing mounting medical bills, missed work, repair costs, and ongoing physical therapy for recovery. If the responsible party had driver’s insurance, your personal injury lawsuit will likely involve dealing with that company and their settlement offers. It can be a complicated process to make sure you’re getting a fair settlement that will adequately cover your losses.

SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS

“Slip and fall” is an umbrella term for a range of accidents that take place on unstable surfaces. Many of these result in personal injury cases against companies who failed to maintain safe conditions in public places. These cases may be brought by a customer who slipped and fell on a wet floor in a store or an employee who tripped in an unlit, cluttered hallway in their office building. From poorly maintained structures to inadequately managed icy sidewalks, slip and fall accidents result in a wide range of injuries.

DOG BITES

There are millions of pet dogs in the United States. While most pose little threat, there are unfortunately serious injuries inflicted by aggressive dogs. In Oklahoma, dog owners face a strict liability statute (§4-42.1.) that provides for full compensation for damages caused by an unprovoked dog when the injured person was in a place they were legally allowed to be. This opens the possibility of personal injury lawsuits to recover the costs of medical treatment and wages lost during recovery from a dog bite.

WRONGFUL DEATH

One of the most serious kinds of personal injury lawsuits is a wrongful death suit. These occur anytime the injured party has died as a direct result of someone else’s negligence. From defective products to medical malpractice, there is a wide range of wrongful death personal injury lawsuits where the family of a deceased individual can seek compensation.

What are the most common personal injuries in Duncan?

The most common personal injury cases in Duncan follow trends across the United States. Car accidents and slip and fall accidents are among the most prevalent of these types of legal cases because they are among the most common types of injuries sustained.

Do I need a personal injury attorney?

If you’ve been injured and someone else’s negligence is to blame, you will likely benefit from having a personal injury attorney working on your case. Navigating the complicated legal process of gathering evidence, negotiating with the defense to receive a settlement, and preparing to take your case to court can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney can make the process much smoother.

Important notes about personal injury cases in Duncan

The first important thing to note about the personal injury case process in Duncan is that there is a statute of limitations. For most personal injury cases, the injured party only has two years from the date of the injury to file suit.

Depending on the amount of the damages, you may file a personal injury case in small claims court (for damages under $6000). More often, the most common personal injury cases involve amounts higher than this, so you will be filing with the district court.

Additionally, Oklahoma operates as a comparative negligence state, which means that you may not be able to collect 100% of the damages if you are found to be partially at fault for the incident. This is another area where an experienced lawyer can step in and help you establish the maximum responsibility of the other party, ultimately providing you with a higher percentage of potential damages to recover.