Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law represent families impacted by car accidents in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Car accident injuries can devastate families and their communities, which is why it is recommended to consult with one of our attorneys if your life has been impacted by a car accident injury.
In this article, we’ll go over the next legal steps you and your family can take, as well as ways we can help you get past this difficult time in your life. If you need immediate legal guidance for your car accident, please don’t hesitate to contact Ylla | Gosney today for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.
Do I Need a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve suffered the sudden loss of a loved one in a fatal car accident in Tuttle, one of the best things you can do to help your situation is to consult with a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer at Ylla | Gosney. Our lawyers will take the time to understand your situation and explain how we can help. If you’d like to take legal action, we can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the liable parties to ensure they’re held accountable for compensating you.
A wrongful death settlement or verdict from a fatal car accident typically covers damages endured by the decedent and their family. These damages are thoroughly considered when determining the outcome and compensation of a wrongful death lawsuit. Wrongful death damages include:
- Funeral and burial expenses: cover the costs associated with saying goodbye to a loved one
- Loss of financial support: compensation for the loss of income provided before the untimely loss of a loved one
- Cost of medical treatment: this applies if your loved one received medical treatment before their unfortunate passing
- Emotional distress and support: compensation for the psychological and emotional toll a loss can have on the surviving family members
- Pain and suffering: if the decedent was exposed to pain and injuries before their untimely death, your family can seek compensation for what they had to endure
- Loss of consortium: this covers the loss of love and companionship you and your family have lost
When to Consult with a Lawyer for a Fatal Car Accident
Generally speaking, wrongful death claims after a fatal car accident must be asserted on behalf of the deceased’s personal representative within the statute of limitations of two years. There are exceptions to the statute of limitations, which are listed in the link contained in this article. It is important to know that if you miss the deadline for filing a wrongful death claim, you waive your rights to recover damages. For that reason, it is important to consult with a Fatal Car Accident Attorney at Ylla | Gosney as soon as possible.
Additionally, the following is a list of reasons families should contact a lawyer after a fatal bicycle accident:
- Your loved one was killed by someone else: the details of your loved one’s accident will determine whether your loved one’s wrongful death is a civil or criminal action. A civil action would be considered an accident, such as a car accident or work-related accident. A deliberate act such as murder would involve criminal charges being brought against the liable party.
- The insurance company is neglecting you: It is not uncommon for insurance companies to attempt to lessen your damages. A wrongful death attorney can help you prove the defendant was careless and maximize your compensation. An experienced attorney will be able to show the defendant owed the decedent a “duty of care.” And this duty of care was breached by a direct act from the defendant, which caused your loved one’s death.
- You need financial help: A wrongful death attorney will advocate on your behalf to get you the maximum amount of compensation you are owed. There are numerous losses families suffer due to the untimely loss of a loved one, and there are legal processes to recover all the damages families have been forced to suffer.
What is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Oklahoma?
According to Oklahoma Title 12. Civil Procedure 12-1053, surviving family members or the estate may sue for damages when a person dies as the result of someone else’s wrongful act. Family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Oklahoma regardless if the act of causation was careless, reckless, or intentional, however, the nature of the fatal action will impact many aspects of the case such as financial compensation, punishment, and liability.
What Evidence is Needed to Prove a Wrongful Death in a Fatal Car Accident in Tuttle?
If negligence causes the death of a loved one and can be proven, you have a strong case. The following are four elements of evidence necessary to prove fault in a fatal car accident:
- Had an obligation to act with reasonable care: If a person is driving a car or a truck they are expected to follow traffic laws, as well as be aware of other drivers on the road.
- Breached their “duty of care:” The plaintiff must demonstrate they were owed a duty of care by the person at fault. For example, in a fatal car accident, the duty of care would have been ignored if another car broke a traffic law and was driving dangerously before the collision.
- Acted careless or reckless: If the defendant failed to provide a duty of care to other drivers and caused another’s death, the plaintiff must prove the other’s careless or reckless actions resulted in the loss of their loved one.
- Damages: The plaintiff must be able to prove they suffered damages due to the loss of their loved one.
Recent Fatal Car Accident Statistics in Oklahoma
Since 2020, Oklahoma’s traffic fatalities have spiked, according to NHTSA, but in recent years, we’ve seen a decline in traffic fatalities. The following stats show how frequent fatal car accidents have been over the years in Oklahoma:
- 2023: Approximately 744 traffic fatalities (a slight decrease from the prior year of 762).
- 2024: Oklahoma ranked 13th in the nation for highest traffic fatalities, a slight decline from previous years.
- 2025: This past year, Oklahoma experienced a record 770 traffic fatalities, unfortunately, reflect an upward trend since 2020.
Common Fatal Car Accidents
Fatal car accidents are more common than you think. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over 33,244 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 alone. This is a sobering truth that any driver, passenger, or pedestrian must recognize every time they get on the road. The most common acts of carelessness, or recklessness, involving fatal car accidents include:
- Distracted Driving: even momentary glances can cause devastating accidents. Distracted driving can be proven through camera footage, cell phone records, and collision investigations.
- Speeding: speeding only increases the severity of accidents and is a leading contributor to fatal motorcycle accidents every year in Oklahoma. A driver’s CPU data can potentially reveal their speed before an accident.
- Moving violation: running red lights, illegal U-turns, or failing to yield can disrupt the flow of traffic, leading to major accidents. These illegal actions can typically be proven by traffic camera footage and eyewitnesses.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Penalties for this illegal action are harsh and can include criminal charges, jail time, license suspension, and other heightened penalties.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Fatal Car Accident in Tuttle?
It is difficult to assign a dollar amount to the grief and trauma experienced by the surviving family members of a fatal car accident. However, the severity of your economic damages (such as lost wages and medical bills) and non-economic damages (emotional harm, depression, and anxiety) will give you an idea of what you can expect from a wrongful death settlement. These damages combined include:
- The financial support received from the decedent
- Loss of income the decedent would have continued to earn
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of benefits the family would have received from the decedent
- Loss of consortium
- Mental trauma and anguish associated with the loss of a loved one
No one should have to continue to suffer financial burdens after the tragic loss of a loved one due to a fatal car accident. Our Fatal Car Accident Attorneys at Ylla | Gosney are standing by to give you and your family the support they need to get through this difficult time. When you’re ready, contact Ylla | Gosney to get the legal help you need to get your life back on track.
Contact Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law
At Ylla | Gosney, we hold the insurance companies responsible and protect the right to compensation for families who have suffered an unfortunate loss at the hands of a careless person. We don’t waste any time in the legal process. We connect you with an attorney, build your case, and get you and your family a fair settlement, so you can take the time to grieve and focus on more important things.
If you’d like more information, our door is always open. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. We’d be happy to help you understand your legal options and offer you our support during this difficult time.