Published date: February 22, 2022

Personal injury is a broad field within the legal profession that encompasses many different categories of injuries. Two things 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 caused. Personal injury cases can be quite complex, with individuals, corporations, and insurance companies all getting involved in the defendant’s role.

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 an Owasso personal injury lawyer. Read more about what kinds of cases we can help with as you decide your next steps.

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What accidents can an Owasso personal injury lawyer help me with?

Owasso 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 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. An Owasso lawyer can ensure 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 make sure that the offers you receive are fair and reasonable. If not, your lawyer can help negotiate and show the defense that you’re prepared to take the case to court in Owasso 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 Owasso 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 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 face 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 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 occurring on unstable surfaces. Many of these result in personal injury cases against companies that 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 many injuries.

DOG BITES

There are millions of pet dogs in the United States. While most pose little threat, serious injuries are inflicted by aggressive dogs. In Oklahoma, dog owners face a strict liability statute (§4-42.1.) that provides for total 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

A wrongful death suit is one of the most serious kinds of personal injury lawsuits. These occur anytime the injured party has died due to 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 Owasso?

Owasso’s most common personal injury cases follow trends across the United States. Car 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 Owasso

The first important thing to note about Owasso’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.

Additionally, 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 maximum responsibility of the other party, ultimately providing you with a higher percentage of potential damages to recover.