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Calculating a car accident settlement in Oklahoma entails two basic steps. First, you add together compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and other losses. Then, you subtract any expenses, such as attorney fees, filing costs, medical liens, and health insurance reimbursements. The result of this calculation is the net payment to the injured person.
While the math might seem straightforward, determining how much you might be entitled to claim can be complicated. An experienced car accident attorney from our law firm can give you a more informed estimate of your personal injury claim’s worth.
Contact us now for a free consultation with an Oklahoma car accident lawyer at Edwards & Patterson Law. We are ready to discuss your Oklahoma car accident claim and the factors influencing the value of your potential recovery.
What Factors Impact the Value of an Oklahoma Car Accident Settlement?
Several factors can influence the value of car accident settlements in Oklahoma, including:
- Severity of accident injuries – More severe injuries typically result in a more substantial settlement value due to increased medical expenses and longer recovery times.
- Duration of recovery – Longer recovery periods often lead to greater compensation for lost wages and ongoing medical care.
- Impact on daily life – Settlements may be higher if injuries significantly affect your ability to perform routine activities or enjoy hobbies.
- Strength of evidence – Clear documentation of the other driver’s fault and your injuries can lead to more favorable settlements.
- Insurance policy limits – The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage may cap the maximum settlement amount.
- The skill of your attorney – An experienced car accident attorney can often negotiate a better settlement agreement and protect you from lowball offers from the insurance company for the at-fault driver.
Who Will Calculate a Car Accident Settlement in Oklahoma?
When you work with our skilled Oklahoma car accident attorneys, we will gather the evidence that is relevant to your motor vehicle accident claim. One of the goals of our investigation will be to determine the extent of your losses so we can calculate your case’s worth. While there is no such thing as an average car accident settlement, our attorneys know what factors into the settlement process in Oklahoma. Once we have arrived at what we believe is a fair sum for your compensation claim, we will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company outlining how much you are claiming and why.
Meanwhile, the at-fault party’s insurer will conduct its own investigation of the accident and calculate what they think you should receive – or what they think they can get away with paying you. The insurance adjuster’s goal will be to minimize the amount the company will pay you. If possible, they will aim to reject your claim entirely by arguing that your injuries are not the result of the accident or that you were primarily responsible for the crash. Your personal injury attorney can protect you from these tactics and negotiate aggressively for the fair settlement amount you deserve.
If the insurer is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, you must file a lawsuit against the at-fault party to seek compensation. If your suit is successful, the court will calculate the value of your award based on the evidence presented. Our skilled Oklahoma car accident attorneys can work to maximize your compensation by presenting a clear and convincing case on your behalf.
What Are Economic Damages After a Car Accident in Oklahoma?
Economic damages are the compensation you can claim for your current and future financial losses resulting from a car accident. Such losses may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, doctor’s appointments, diagnostic scans, surgical procedures, medications, assistive devices, rehabilitation, and ongoing care for injuries sustained in the crash
- Lost income from missed time at work
- Future earning capacity reduction if an accident-related disability forces you to take a lower-paying job
- Transportation and accommodation expenses if you must travel to receive treatment
- Property damage
You can demonstrate these losses by maintaining all medical bills, documentation showing your missed time at work, and vehicle repair invoices. Economic and financial specialists may help your attorney determine the difference between the long-term income you would have received if the accident had never occurred and what you are projected to earn if you must take a lower-paying occupation because of your injuries.
What Is Pain and Suffering?
Pain and suffering make up a category of non-economic damages that compensate you for the physical discomfort and emotional distress resulting from your car accident injuries. Pain and suffering are more subjective than economic damages, which have a clear dollar value. This category of damages may include compensation for:
- Physical pain from injuries related to the accident
- Emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience caused by injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium, including adverse effects on personal relationships
Oklahoma does not use a specific formula to calculate pain and suffering damages. Instead, insurance companies and courts consider factors such as the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery, and the long-term impact on your life.
Documenting your pain and suffering through medical records, personal journals, and testimony from friends and family can strengthen your claim. Our experienced Oklahoma car accident attorneys can help you present a compelling case for fair compensation for your pain and suffering.
What If I Am Partly Responsible for the Car Crash?
Under Oklahoma’s comparative fault law, an injured individual is eligible to recover compensation as long as they are less than 51 percent responsible for the accident. However, your percentage of fault will affect the calculation of your settlement amount. The insurance company or court will reduce your award by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are deemed 25 percent at fault for the crash, you will receive 75 percent of the amount you would otherwise have been eligible to recover. An experienced and assertive Oklahoma car accident lawyer from Edwards & Patterson Law can protect your recovery by building a strong case that demonstrates that the other driver was entirely or overwhelmingly at fault.
Contact an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer
After suffering injuries in a car accident in Oklahoma, securing a fair settlement award can allow you to begin rebuilding your life. However, even if it seems like the facts of your case are clear-cut, there is no guarantee that you will get the settlement you deserve. Procedural mistakes, missed deadlines, and unscrupulous insurance adjusters can result in unfair reductions and denials.
At Edwards & Patterson Law, we understand that your future depends on a favorable result. Our many decades of legal experience have given us the insights necessary to fight intelligently and efficiently for the compensation you deserve.
Call us today or contact us online to get a free consultation and find out what a difference it makes when you work with personal injury attorneys who care.
