Personal Injury Law in Tulsa, OK

Were you hurt due to another’s negligence in Tulsa? If so, it may have far-reaching consequences such as a loss of wages or extensive medical treatment. Personal injury law allows an injured person to get damages if the responsible person acted recklessly. A personal injury attorney in Tulsa, OK can help navigate the lawsuit to make sure you receive all of the compensation you deserve.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law in Tulsa relates to the legal process of getting compensation for an injury caused by someone else’s negligent behavior. These cases involve one party, the plaintiff, trying to seek financial compensation for expenses incurred and money lost as a result of the defendant’s reckless behavior. These cases involve both parties’ insurance companies and may even settle before proceeding to litigation.

Examples of Personal Injury Claims in Tulsa, OK

Some personal injury claims are more common than others. However, almost any incident that ends with a physical or mental injury could qualify, depending on the circumstances.

A few of the most common personal injury claims are:

• Car Accidents
• Slip and Fall
• Dog Bites
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Accidents
• Burn Injuries

Most Common Injuries in Tulsa 

A 2016 Tulsa Municipal Court report says that almost ⅙ of traffic accidents resulted in injury. According to 2017 data from the State of the County’s Health Report, Tulsa County also has the fourth-highest motor-vehicle mortality rate in The Sooner State. These accidents account for a quarter of all unintentional injury deaths.

Steps in a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Tulsa, OK

Once you determine that you wish to proceed forward with a personal injury action in Oklahoma

A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed with the court and served on the defendant. The complaint alleges your assertion as the plaintiff that the defendant’s negligent behavior resulted in damage to your body or mental state. As the process proceeds forward, you may have to go through depositions, independent medical evaluations and document production. This discovery process is lengthy and ends in either settlement or a court appearance.

The last chance to settle before a trial occurs is the mediation and negotiation phase. You may reach an agreement at any time before the case goes before a judge in Tulsa County. Formal mediation proceedings don’t take place until discovery is complete for both parties.

Oklahoma Personal Injury Settlement

With most personal injury cases, insurance companies and injured parties prefer settlement negotiations rather than going to court for a trial. You may wonder how much you should seek in your settlement and factors that impact the final amount.

Awarded damages for personal injuries in Tulsa, OK vary depending on the details of the case. According to Oklahoma State Courts, a good rule of thumb is to triple the total for medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and minimum insurance limits in Oklahoma. Don’t get too attached to the numbers in front of you. Set some general expectations with your attorney and then focus on winning the case.

If the other party has insurance, the insurance company likely wants to settle out of court to avoid leaving the final settlement decision to a jury. Settlements benefit injured parties as much as they do insurance companies. This is because accepting a settlement means you receive compensation sooner rather than later. Also, by going to court in OK, that means you risk not receiving any compensation at all.

Damage Awards in Oklahoma

If your Oklahoma personal injury lawsuit goes before a judge or jury, your legal team will be ready with a request for damages. In personal injury cases, there are three types of damage awards a court may order the defendant to pay to compensate you for the damage he or she inflicted.

Special compensatory damages reimburse you for things such as lost income, medical bills and insurance deductibles. You submit receipts proving these losses.

General compensatory damages are subjective. If you receive special compensatory damages, you may also collect general damages. If your injury was particularly painful, you might request that the judge order the defendant compensate you for the pain and anguish.

Punitive damages are the most rarely awarded and are up to the court. The judge or jury may determine that the defendant’s negligence was particularly heinous and the resulting injury to you was equally horrific. 

Oklahoma’s Supreme Court ruled in 2019, that the previous $350,000 cap on personal injury law was unconstitutional. Defendants are liable for bigger payouts than any other time in a Tulsa County courtroom history.

Statute of Limitations in Tulsa, OK Personal Injury Law?

The injured party may have a set amount of time to file suit for a personal injury case. State law establishes statutes of limitation. Commonly, the plaintiff’s injury or discovery of the injury begins the statute of limitations. However, the latter factor is trickier, as the plaintiff will have to prove when the injury was first realized.

Tulsa, OK residents have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, with some exceptions:

• One year for libel or slander

• Three years for oral contracts and judgments

• Five years for collecting on debts or rent

We recommend you speak with a personal injury lawyer for this matter. Don’t wait too long and miss out on receiving the compensation you deserve for your injury. 

Work With an Experienced Tulsa, OK Lawyer

Pursue a personal injury claim in Tulsa against the responsible person if you are dealing with an injury caused by someone else. One of our experienced lawyers can help you navigate your personal injury claim. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Oklahoma state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in your area!