Tanya is a former corporate lawyer turned copywriter and legal content writer. Through her writing, she aims to make the legal world less intimidating and more relatable. When she's not working, you can find her exploring random topics on the internet or reading fiction and books on human psychology.
Tanya Shrivastava
Tanya is a former corporate lawyer turned copywriter and legal content writer. Through her writing, she aims to make the legal world less intimidating and more relatable. When she's not working, you can find her exploring random topics on the internet or reading fiction and books on human psychology.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Reviewed
Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Tulsa is the second most populated city in Oklahoma and has an average of two cars per household. So, it is not surprising that the roads of the city can get a bit crowded. While it is often just an annoyance during the morning and evening commute, increased road traffic also results in more car accidents. In fact, in 2020 alone, 7,695 car crashes were reported in the city.
We have compiled a list of the best car accident lawyers in Tulsa who can assist you if you are ever in a car crash. We have also added a guide to help you understand the car accident laws in Oklahoma.
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Show Summary
- Best Car Accident Attorneys in Tulsa
- Daniel Aizenman
- Michael L. Barkett
- Jacob W. Biby
- Patrick E. Carr
- Guy A. Fortney
- Laurie Koller
- W. Chad McLain
- Jason C. Messenger
- Caroline M. Shaffer Siex
- Douglas E. Stall
- Compare Top Car Accident Attorneys
- Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma
- How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Tulsa, OK
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Next Up
Best Car Accident Attorneys in Tulsa
Compare Top Car Accident Attorneys
Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma
To file a car accident lawsuit in Oklahoma, you should be aware of the rules you need to follow to win a favorable outcome. Read the guide below to understand when you can file the lawsuit, the rules you must follow while driving and the factors that affect your compensation.
Oklahoma Statute of Limitations
If you were injured in a car accident in Oklahoma, you must file a lawsuit against the negligent party within two years from the date of the accident. If you approach the courts after the statute of limitations has run out, your case will most likely be dismissed.
There are a few exceptional circumstances when the statute of limitations can be paused. If the injured victim is a minor or mentally incompetent at the time of the accident, the statute of limitation starts from the date when they turn 18 or are declared competent.
Another exception is when the defendant leaves the state or conceals themselves before an action can be taken against them. In this case, the statute of limitations will pause during the period of absence. It will resume once the defendant returns to the state.
Oklahoma Laws for Car Drivers
If you are driving a car in Oklahoma, you must follow the following rules:
- Registration Requirements. Your car must be registered at a designated Service Oklahoma location. It proves that you have paid the required taxes and fees. Whenever you buy or sell a car you must get it registered immediately.
- Insurance Requirement. You must carry proof of liability insurance for your car at all times while driving, otherwise, your license may get suspended. The insurance must have a minimum coverage of $25,000 for the injury or death of one person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage.
- Safety Requirements. The driver and the front-seat passenger must wear seat belts at all times. Every child under the age of eight must be secured with a child passenger restraint system. The restraint system must be rear-facing for children under the age of two.
- Basic Speed Rules. While you must always adhere to the prescribed speed limits while driving, you should also adjust your speed based on the current conditions. Your speed should always be reasonable considering the amount and speed of traffic, presence of pedestrians, surface and size of the road, visibility, weather conditions and your driving ability.
- Alcohol and Drug Restrictions. As per the implied consent laws, when you drive in the state, you are consenting to take one or more tests to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC) upon request. Refusing the tests will result in revocation of your driving privileges. If you do take the test and your BAC is higher than 0.08%, you will be charged with a DUI in Oklahoma and your license will be revoked.
Identifying Fault for a Car Crash
Oklahoma is an at-fault state, meaning the person responsible for causing the car accident pays for the damages caused. Your car accident lawyer in Tulsa can help you identify the negligent party in your case. This process can sometimes get complicated in seemingly simple cases, especially if the party was not actively involved in the accident, for example, a government agency that constructed a faulty road.
The amount of compensation is then calculated using the modified comparative negligence rule. It states that if your negligence contributed to the accident that caused your injury, your total compensation will be deducted by the percentage of your negligence. If however, your negligence was greater than that of the other party, you are not entitled to any compensation.
For instance, if you were 35% responsible for causing the accident, you can only claim 65% of the total damages. But if you were 51% responsible for causing the accident, you are not eligible to receive any compensation.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
Car accidents can be a traumatic experience and can result in significant physical, mental and property damage. It will only get more stressful once you start the legal procedure to fight for the compensation you deserve. Therefore, it can be extremely helpful to hire a car accident lawyer in Tulsa to assist you in navigating the legal system.
Your lawyer will essentially take over all the legal tasks so you can completely focus on your recovery. They can help you file the claims with the correct insurance companies, build a strong case and negotiate a settlement.
If you are not happy with the settlement offer, your car accident lawyer in Tulsa can file a lawsuit against the defendants and represent you in court.
How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Tulsa, OK
If you are filing a car accident lawsuit in Oklahoma, you will heavily rely on your lawyer to assist you in obtaining the best possible compensation. Therefore, it is necessary to look for a lawyer who can guide you to success. Here are a few things you should consider before hiring a car accident lawyer in Tulsa:
- Customer Reviews. Talking to someone who has worked with the lawyer would give you a good insight into their process and temperament. But if you don’t know any of their previous clients personally, you can always check reviews on the lawyer’s website and other review websites.
- Experience. You should aim to hire a lawyer with a vast car accident as well as significant trial experience. If your lawyer knows and regularly applies strategies to win big car accident cases and they have a record of taking cases to trial, you have higher chances of winning a favorable outcome.
- Fee Structure. Most car accident lawyers in Tulsa do not charge upfront and only take a fee only if they win the case. They receive a predetermined percentage of your compensation as their fee along with some extra charges for additional services. Therefore, it is essential that you discuss the fee structure and its terms and conditions before you hire a lawyer.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Tulsa in 2023, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the consequences of a hit and run in Oklahoma?
If you did not stop after causing a car accident in Oklahoma, you may face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000 depending on the damage and injury you caused. In addition to the penalty, you may also end up paying compensation three times the value of the damage caused.
If you were a victim of a hit and run and the culprit is not found, you can still claim your damages from your own insurance company if you have collision coverage, MedPay, personal injury protection coverage or uninsured motorist coverage.
How long does an insurance company have to settle a claim in Oklahoma?
Once you file a claim after a car accident, the insurance company has at least 75 days to settle the claim. They must acknowledge it within 30 days from the day they receive the claim. They have 45 days after acquiring the proof of loss to complete their investigation unless it is reasonably impossible to complete it within this time. They should then either accept or deny your claim. Otherwise, they must notify you within these 45 days of the reasons for the delay in investigations.
Do you have to file an accident report in Oklahoma?
If you are involved in a car accident that has caused injury or death, you must report it to law enforcement immediately using the quickest mode of communication available. Further, every accident causing injury, death or property damage of more than $300, should be reported to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety within six months from the date of the accident. The report should include any settlement that has been made between the parties.
