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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Clayton T. Hasbrook who has years of legal experience as a personal injury lawyer. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
If you have suffered serious injuries in an accident in Lawton, you need to see a doctor first. Then, contact our personal injury law firm for a free case review.
At Hasbrook & Hasbrook, our Lawton personal injury attorneys prioritize client needs. Now, we can do the same for you. We have helped personal injury victims deal with accidents that cause everything from traumatic brain injuries to spinal cord injuries.
Let our law office provide you with the expert legal representation you deserve. Learn more about personal injuries in Lawton below. Then, contact us for a free consultation.
What Accidents Can a Lawton Personal Injury Attorney Help Me With?
Lawton personal injury lawyers help with a wide variety of cases. Some lawyers specialize in particular kinds of personal injuries, while others have broader experience in various cases.
You’ll want to find a lawyer with experience working on cases like yours. These experienced professionals can provide various legal services to make your case go more smoothly. These include the following:
- Gathering evidence: Lawyers know what evidence is needed to establish your case. A Lawton lawyer can ensure that your case is as strong as possible, from medical documentation to lost wages and witness statements to pointing out inadequate defense testimony.
- Negotiating settlements: Many personal injury cases settle before going to trial. Getting a lawyer involved can help ensure 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 Lawton 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 Lawton 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 insurance company and its settlement offers.
It can be complicated to ensure you’re getting a fair settlement that will adequately cover your losses.
SLIP AND FALL ACCIDENTS
Slip and fall is an umbrella term for accidents on unstable surfaces. Many of these result in personal injury cases against companies that fail 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 many 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 financial compensation.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries We See
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). TBIs can result from falls, car accidents, or sports injuries. They can lead to long-term cognitive issues and require extensive rehabilitation.
- Spinal cord injuries. Spinal injuries often lead to partial or complete paralysis. They require lifelong medical care and adaptive equipment.
- Broken bones. Fractures can range from simple breaks that heal with casting to complex fractures needing surgical intervention. Recovery times vary widely.
- Burn injuries. Burns can occur from fires, chemicals, or electrical accidents. They may result in scarring and disfigurement and require multiple surgeries.
- Soft tissue injuries. Sprains, strains, and tears can happen in any accident, leading to severe discomfort and impaired mobility. They often require physical therapy.
- Psychological injuries. Accidents can lead to mental health issues like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. These injuries, similar in nature to physical ones, demand the assistance of a medical professional.
- Wrongful death. In the most tragic cases, accidents result in fatalities. Families left behind may face emotional and financial hardships.
Factors Determining the Value of My Personal Injury Case
The value of a personal injury case depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the impact on the victim’s life, and the costs associated with recovery. These factors collectively influence how much compensation you may receive for your injuries.
Severity and Nature of Injuries
The severity and nature of your injuries are primary factors in determining the value of your personal injury case. More severe injuries often require extensive medical treatments and longer recovery periods, which can increase the compensation amount.
Injuries resulting in permanent disability or major life changes are evaluated to ensure all future needs are considered. The impact of these injuries on your overall well-being and ability to lead a normal life is a critical aspect of case valuation.
Medical Expenses
Medical expenses are critical to any personal injury claim, covering everything from emergency room visits to long-term rehabilitation costs. These expenses are meticulously documented and calculated to ensure the compensation covers all health-related costs incurred due to the accident.
Future medical expenses are also estimated and included, especially if ongoing treatment or surgery is necessary. Proving the extent of these costs often requires detailed medical records and expert testimony.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
Compensation for lost wages includes the income lost while recovering from the injury and the loss of future earning potential if you cannot return to your previous employment. This factor considers your current and future income, including bonuses, benefits, and other forms of compensation.
Suppose an injury leads to a permanent disability that prevents you from working or forces a career change.
In that case, the loss of earning capacity can substantially increase the value of your claim. Economic experts often provide testimony to quantify these losses accurately.
Pain and Suffering
Compensation for pain and suffering accounts for the physical pain and emotional trauma experienced as a result of the injury. This non-economic damage is more subjective than medical bills or lost wages and varies widely among cases. Factors influencing the amount include:
- the injury’s severity
- the recovery process’s duration
- the impact on your daily life and mental health
Calculating this compensation often involves a multiplier method or per diem approach, considering the individual’s personal experience.
Impact on Quality of Life
The impact on your quality of life post-injury is a significant consideration in personal injury cases. Injuries that prevent you from engaging in hobbies, sports, or activities you once enjoyed contribute to the case’s value.
The loss of enjoyment of life also encompasses the inability to perform daily routines or participate in family and social activities. This factor aims to compensate for the overall detriment to your lifestyle and happiness, recognizing that some losses go beyond financial metrics. Let our Lawton personal injury lawyer help you.
What Are the Most Common Personal Injuries in Lawton?
Lawton’s most common personal injury cases follow trends across the United States. Car and slip-and-fall accidents are among the most prevalent legal cases because they are among the most common types of injuries sustained.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’ve been injured and someone else’s negligence is to blame, you will likely benefit from having a personal injury lawyer 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 Lawton
The first important thing to note about Lawton’s personal injury case process 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 that you will be filing with the district court.
In addition, Oklahoma operates as a comparative negligence state, which means that you may be unable 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 other party’s maximum responsibility, ultimately providing you with a higher percentage of potential damages to recover.
Contact Our Lawton Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you’re considering filing a personal injury suit, speaking with a Lawton personal injury attorney immediately is best. You want to find a lawyer experienced in these kinds of cases and can walk you through the process with clarity and confidence. At Hasbrook & Hasbrook, we would be honored to help you.
Contact us immediately for a free consultation to discuss your Lawton personal injury case.