If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of vehicle resulting in a collision caused by someone else's carelessness, you should seek legal advice immediately -- before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster and before signing any documents.
Whether referred to as automobile, motorcycle or truck accident, or as a collision, crash, or wreck, motor vehicle mishaps are an unfortunate fact of life. These costly and traumatic experiences make up the majority of personal injury claims in the United States. Auto accidents can be caused by any number of reasons including:
Driver negligence
Driver impairment
Driver recklessness
Defective automobiles or parts
Dangerous road conditions
Auto accidents can vary in severity from a simple fender bender to a fatal crash. A more serious accident will be investigated by the police in order to determine the cause. Automobile accidents can result in an array of injuries from whiplash to hearing loss, broken bones to burns. Victims of a car wreck may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, loss of income, disability, wrongful death, and pain and suffering.
Most accidents are settled outside of the legal system by the drivers’ insurance companies. Of course, insurance companies are businesses and one of their concerns is in limiting the amount of money that they pay out. When an insurance company presents a settlement offer, it is in the victim’s best interests to discuss the situation with a lawyer. The Smith Law Office, P.C. is familiar with the many tactics that insurance companies use to get you to settle quickly and for less compensation than you deserve.
Due to deadlines for filing injury claims, it is critical that you meet with an attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your case. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an automobile accident, you should speak with an experienced attorney to ensure that your legal rights are protected.
If a collision occurs, stay calm, be alert to your surroundings and think. Do not exit your vehicle unless it is safe to do so. Immediately call for help or dial 911. Attend to anyone who is injured. If you are injured, do not move until professional medical paramedics arrive to assist you. Assert and express your injuries and discomforts to everyone. Always take an ambulance to the local hospital if it is offered to you. It is not a time to worry about bills or expenses, it is a time to make sure your health is taken care of.
A few days after the collision, schedule a follow up medical appointment with your primary care physician who will further assess your injuries, make recommendations, refer you to physical therapy or to other medical specialties depending on your injuries and the situation at hand. Be sure to follow the medical professionals advice. Medical treatment and appointments are demanding, however, they are necessary to get you back on the road to recovery. Remember that the most important aspect of a Personal Injury Claim or Case is the medical care you receive for your injuries.
Call Douglas J. Smith at the Smith Law Office, P.C. at (405) 360-2660 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation in confidence.
There is no fee if no recovery.
HOW TO GET THE ACCIDENT REPORT
To obtain a copy of an accident report filed by a police officer within the city, contact the local police department. Telephone Norman Police : (405) 321-1600
To obtain a copy of an accident report filed by a state trooper with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, complete a "Records Request and Consent to Release" form and mail it to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. The reports are only obtained either by mail or in person, not by calling or emailing.
Personal Injury / Auto Accidents
