Ylla Gosney represents injured car accident victims in Norman, OK. If you’ve found yourself injured in a car accident, you’re most likely looking at extensive medical bills, property damage, and ongoing treatment costs. Just the financial toll alone can be overwhelming, especially when you’re unsure how to manage the aftermath of a car accident. You may find yourself asking: How much money will the insurance company cover? What if I can’t go back to work? Do I need to file a lawsuit?
If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, then we can help. At Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law, we will manage your accident claim and recover all your costs, as well as additional compensation needed to get your life back on track. Get trusted, legal help in Norman, OK, after a car accident by contacting us today for a no-cost, no-obligation case review.
How Ylla | Gosney Helps Oklahoma Car Accident Victims:
The city of Norman may not be as crowded as the more populated Oklahoma city, but it is still considered one of the most high-traffic areas in Oklahoma, with the third-highest population in the Bluegrass State. With Interstate 35, drawing drivers from all over Oklahoma, the city’s high-traffic roadways present a high risk of car accidents for local Norman drivers.
If you find yourself involved in a car accident in Norman, you may face life-altering injuries, impacting your health and financial security for the foreseeable future. This is, unfortunately, the frightening reality most car accident victims face.
But that’s where Ylla | Gosney comes in. Our firm specialize in helping injured car accident victims get their lives back on track after a horrific accident. We do this by connecting them to immediate medical resources, protecting them from liability, and fully recovering compensation for the following damages:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
If you’ve sustained injuries from an accident, it is advisable to seek legal counsel from a reputable Car Accident Attorney at Ylla | Gosney. Even if you believe the insurance company will cover your damages, speaking with a personal injury lawyer will help you understand all of your legal options and what your case is worth before you decide to settle.
If you decide to file a lawsuit with our firm, we will:
- Identify All Liable Parties: Accidents typically involve multiple cars or “at-fault” parties. Our attorneys will identify all responsible parties and file a personal injury lawsuit against them, maximizing your chance at full, financial recovery.
- Follow Proper Legal Procedures: Our team of attorneys understands the complexities of suing liable parties and the specific legal rules that must be followed. Having your lawsuit properly filed and the details of your situation perfectly outlined for the insurance adjuster will let the defense know you are aware of your rights and are prepared to exercise them professionally and efficiently.
- Prepare for Litigation: Our trial attorneys will expedite the litigation process if no acceptable offer is made. They will prepare you for trial, handle all legal proceedings, and represent you in court.
- Allow you to focus on Recovery: Working with one of our well-practiced attorneys will allow you to recover, while they deal with the legal side of your case for you. Not only will this give you a better chance at compensation, but it will alleviate your stress and give you peace of mind while dealing with a very traumatic time in your life.
Proving Liability in a Car Accident in Norman OK:
In Oklahoma, a person can be liable for causing injuries in a car accident if they did not act with reasonable care. When assessing liability, law enforcement and the courts will consider both parties actions and decide how careless they were being.
For example, let’s say a driver pulling out on Main Street in downtown Norman had a legal obligation to yield to a passing vehicle. The driver failed to yield and entered the intersection, resulting in a wreck, causing both drivers serious injuries and property damage. In this case, the driver who pulled out in front of the oncoming car would be responsible for the other driver’s injuries because:
- They violated their duty of care: drivers have a legal obligation to drive with caution and prevent any hazardous incidents that could injure someone
- Their violation caused an accident: the other driver’s carelessness, and inattention to the other driver, was a direct cause of the car accident
- Their actions caused damages: the other driver suffered verifiable damages and incurred heavy losses due to the injuries sustained from the accident
If a violation of “duty of care” can be established, then you will have proven the driver liable for the car accident. Establishing liability is also important to understanding the amount of compensation you can receive. If the other party is 100% liable, then you are entitled to 100% of the settlement.
Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law for Car Accidents:
Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law is considered a “50-percent” rule. Basically, the ability to pursue damages under comparative negligence applies when a crash victim is 49 percent or less liable for the accident. This percentage of fault can be decided by a police report, but all accident victims have the right to object to their assumption of fault, and ultimately have their fault decided by a judge and jury in court.
So, let’s say a motorcyclist caused your car accident because they were lane splitting. Lane splitting is illegal in the state of Oklahoma and they would most likely be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident because they violated the law. If liability is in question in your case, and you fear you may be liable for the accident, contact Ylla Gosney today to discuss your case. Our firm will help you take the necessary steps to protect you from liability or eliminate it entirely, so you can recover compensation.
“Negligence Per Se,” for a Norman OK Car Accident:
If you can establish that a driver’s careless actions caused your accident, you may be able to establish “Negligence Per Se” and recover damages. Negligence Per Se means the driver broke the law, which directly caused your injuries. Illegal U-turns, distracted driving, speeding, or running a red light typically come with citations, which will make proving “Negligence Per Se” fairly easy in court if your lawsuit goes to trial. Proving Negligence Per Se is much easier than proving negligence.
Proving negligence usually involves an investigation to obtain video footage or witness statements. Sometimes, there is no available evidence, and your case becomes one person’s word over another’s. For this reason, it is important to report your accident to law enforcement the moment it happens and speak with Ylla Gosney to build a strong case and protect your right to compensation.
How Police Assign Fault for a Car Accident in Oklahoma:
When a police officer is called to an accident, they will attempt to capture as much information as they can about the accident. At first glance, they’ll look to see what happened leading up to it, how it started, and who was likely the at-fault party. While determining fault at the scene of the accident, police officers will look at the following:
- Evidence at the scene:
- Tire marks
- Road damage
- Vehicle damage
- Eyewitness statements
- Appearance and behavior of both drivers
- Whether a citation has been issued to either driver in the past (speeding, tailgating, DUI, or other concerning violations)
- Any other available evidence such as street cameras, dash cams, or photos
After an investigation, police will issue citations for any violations committed by either driver. Citations can be harmful to both drivers in an accident case. However, guilt of a traffic violation is only settled after a ruling, conviction, or the payment of the fine without pleading “nolo contendre.” So, if you are given a citation, but feel it was unwarranted, you do not have to admit fault. Contact one of our Car Accident Attorneys to help you build your case and protect your rights.
The Importance of Getting an Accident Report After a Car Accident:
After an accident, it is normal to be too overwhelmed with medical appointments, managing insurance companies, and keeping up with daily life while you’re recovering. However, having an accident report is crucial information necessary to recover compensation from your vehicle accident claim.
Accident reports detail how the collision occurred and should include:
- Names and contact information of the involved drivers
- Parties of interest, such as passengers, property owners, vehicle owners, drivers, witnesses, and anyone else involved
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Citations for any type of driving behavior, including whether a driver was intoxicated, speeding, or otherwise violating traffic laws
- A police officer’s opinion as to who or what caused the accident
Car Insurance Regulations in Oklahoma:
As stated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department, drivers are required by law to have the following coverage before they can legally ride:
- $25,000 for bodily injury protection per person injured
- $50,000 coverage per car accident
- $25,000 in property damage protection
Uninsured drivers are not only at risk of facing a citation, but not having insurance can affect the outcome of your personal injury case if you decide to take legal action. So, for any driver in Norman, OK, it’s always important to have the proper insurance before going for a drive. Drivers may also opt for additional coverage, as car accidents can end up being extraordinarily costly.
It is important to note that purchasing the minimum coverage may leave Oklahoma drivers financially vulnerable. For example, if there’s an accident involving multiple victims, the at-fault driver’s insurance may not be able to fully cover all of their expenses. If that’s the case, then these costs would have to come out of the at-fault driver’s pocket. If they cannot cover the costs, then they can be sued, resulting in serious financial problems.
Contact Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law
If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident in Norman, Oklahoma, Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law can help. While insurance companies will typically reduce your compensation or outright deny your claim, our firm stands up on behalf of injured car accident victims and protects their right to fair compensation.
Taking the first step toward legal action can seem intimidating, but with us, you’re never alone in this fight. Contact Ylla Goseny today for a free consultation and see what legal options are available for your situation.