Have you or someone you care about been injured in a car accident? Our Oklahoma City attorneys only represent injured individuals. As Oklahoma auto accident attorneys, we do not defend insurance companies or responsible parties who were not injured, but whose actions contributed to car accident injury.
Injuries suffered in auto accidents can change the course of a life. Victims often find themselves having to adjust to constant pain, an inability to participate in the activities enjoyed before the accident, or even continue earning a living. Meanwhile, medical bills accrue, along with on going expenses for physical therapy, replacing lost possessions, adding ramps or other accommodations to homes the list goes on and on. In the wake of a car accident, we believe injured victims should only have to concern themselves with recovering their health, not about how they will afford necessary care or how to feed their families.
Our car accident lawyers pursue each case, large or small. We understand that the most important issue to you is experienced guidance and representation. Our goal is getting you the maximum allowable compensation for your losses.
Each Oklahoma car accident attorney at Ryan Bisher Ryan Phillips & Simons is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured people. We are highly adept at standing up against large insurance companies, identifying the responsible parties, and understanding how injuries from the crash have affected our clients' lives. Contact us for help with the following types of accidents:
- automobile collisions on city streets or interstate highways
- trucking accidents
- motorcycle accidents
- single vehicle crashes
- negligent entrustment of vehicles
- pedestrian or bicycle / vehicle collisions
- boating collisions
- dram shop cases involving liability of restaurants and bars that served alcohol to drunk drivers
- railroad crossings
- collisions involving city, country or state vehicles
- construction zone accidents
- wrongful death cases such as those resulting from fatal car accidents
Click on a question below to see the answer.
What if the automobile accident was partially my fault?
What can I recover?
How do I know what my automobile injury is worth?
What if I have been hurt before?
Where will the money come from to compensate me?
What if the person at fault in an automobile accident has no insurance?
Am I entitled to have my car repaired?
If my car is damaged in an automobile accident, am I entitled to a rental car?
Can I choose my own doctor?
Do I have to file a lawsuit?
How long do I have to file my claim?
Why do I need an attorney?
How much does an attorney charge?
How long will it take to finish my claim?
Where can I get more information about personal injury claims?
What if the automobile accident was partially my fault?
If you are in an accident with another person, you may still be able to recover for your injuries, even if the accident was partially your fault. However, in order to recover, you must be able to prove that the other person's fault was greater than yours. In addition, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are less than 50% at fault you will have a viable claim.
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What can I recover?
You are entitled to recover damages directly caused by your accident. Although every case is different, the law allows the victim of a personal injury to be compensated for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Loss of ability to work
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional and mental suffering
- Permanent physical damage
- Disfigurement, including scars and limping
- Property damage
- Other financial loss caused by the injury
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How do I know what my vehicle injury is worth?
The value of a Personal Injury case depends upon a number of factors, including:
- How difficult it is to prove the other party was at fault,
- the seriousness of your injuries,
- the type of medical treatment you receive for your injuries, and
- the amount of insurance coverage available to pay for your injuries.
The severity of your injuries and the final total amount of your medical bills are important factors in determining the value of your Personal Injury case. If your medical treatment is not yet completed, it is hard to estimate the value of your case. The insurance companies always want you to settle for a low estimate. As Oklahoma City lawyers, we do not recommend that anyone settle their case until they have reached minimum medical recovery.
Every accident case is different. The assistance of an injury attorney thoroughly familiar with personal injury law may be absolutely vital to properly determine the fair value of your personal injury claim.
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What if I have been hurt before?
Previous injuries do not affect your right to recover compensation. You are still entitled to recover damages for the re-injury or aggravation of the earlier injury.
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Where will the money come from to compensate me?
Usually, the party who caused your injury has insurance to pay for your damages. Also, your own insurance policy may contain coverage for your injuries. However, many times sources of compensation are overlooked. The assistance of a lawyer experienced in handling claims can often increase your ability to recover.
Do not expect the insurance company to tell you about all available coverage. Their goal is to minimize claims. Ours is to make sure that you are provided the maximum allowable compensation for your injury from all available, legally responsible parties.
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What if the person at fault in an automobile accident has no insurance?
Oklahoma law requires drivers to maintain insurance coverage on their vehicles. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore this requirement. If your automobile policy provides for "uninsured motorist" coverage, even if the party at fault has no insurance on his vehicle, or does not have enough insurance to pay your damages, your insurance company may provide compensation. This is one of the most technical and complicated areas of personal injury law. The advice of a car accident lawyer experienced in handling personal injury claims may be extremely important in this situation.
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Am I entitled to have my car repaired?
Yes! If you are involved in an automobile accident that was not your fault, the responsible party or their insurance company is liable for the damages to your vehicle. If your automobile is a total loss, you are entitled to the reasonable market value for the vehicle.
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If my car is damaged in an automobile accident am I entitled to a rental car?
Yes! If the accident was not your fault, and your vehicle is not drivable as a result of the accident, the responsible party or their insurance company will pay your expenses while your car is being repaired, if the vehicle is not a total loss.
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Can I choose my own doctor?
Absolutely! The law specifically gives you the right to select your own treating physician. You do not need advance approval from an insurance company to begin medical treatment.The law provides that YOU have the freedom to choose the type of medical care you receive as the result of an accident, as long as the care is reasonable and necessary.
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Do I have to file a lawsuit?
Absolutely not! In fact, most personal injury cases are agreeably settled without filing a lawsuit. Your attorney is an experienced and skilled negotiator on your behalf. He knows your rights under the law, presses the insurance company to accept their full responsibility for your injuries and will accept nothing less.
The filing of a lawsuit may increase your expenses, therefore, we feel that a lawsuit should usually be filed only as a last resort. However, sometimes a lawsuit must be filed in order to obtain a full and fair recovery and we aggressively pursue the responsible parties if they will not agree on just compensation for our clients.
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How long do I have to file my claim?
Usually you must either settle your case or file a lawsuit within two years of the date of your accident. If suit is not filed within this time period, you may be prevented from pursuing your claim. However, there are a number of exceptions to this rule. Sometimes the filing period is shorter. You should seek the advice of a qualified lawyer to be sure your rights are fully protected.
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Do I need an attorney?
You are not required by law to have an attorney represent you. However, without a lawyer you must deal with an experienced insurance adjuster or insurance company lawyer on your own. Both of these parties make a living protecting the insurance company's interests. The best way to be sure that you receive each and every benefit provided by law is to have the help of an experienced lawyer who understands personal injury law and whose only goal is to protect YOUR RIGHTS.
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How much does an attorney charge?
In personal injury cases, we do not charge an attorney fee for personally consulting with you about your case. In fact, many people who have been injured through no fault of their own do not have the money to hire an attorney to protect their rights. We understand. Protecting your rights is important to us. That's the reason our fee is paid at the end of the case out of a portion of the recovery. If we are unable recover compensation for you, you do not owe us a fee. This is called a "contingency fee" arrangement and is common among attorneys.
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How long will it take to conclude my claim?
The length of time necessary to conclude an injury case depends upon a number of factors. You will not be in a position to consider settling your claim until you know the full extent of your injuries and how much the final medical expenses will total. Therefore, the amount of time required to heal is often one of the biggest factors in determining the length of time necessary to conclude a claim. In most cases, once you have been released from medical treatment, settlement negotiations can begin almost immediately. Most claims can be settled promptly at that point.
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Where can I obtain additional information about personal injury claims?
If you or your family members have been injured in a vehicle accident, contact the law office of Ryan Bisher Ryan Phillips & Simons in Oklahoma City. Let us use our knowledge, experience and resources to compel responsibility for your injuries. We will vigorously pursue the maximum allowable compensation for your loss under the law. There is no charge for discussing your situation with us.
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Attorneys listed in this practice area typically represent individuals (Plaintiffs) who have been involved in an auto or trucking accident and are seeking legal representation to recover damages for the injuries they have sustained to both their person and property.
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