Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law helps car accident victims in Tulsa by answering their questions about the legal process. While you have options, there’s very important deadlines you have to meet in Tulsa or anywhere else in Oklahoma. Our team will make sure your claim is strong and that you have the best chance at a fair result. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim After a Car Accident in Tulsa?
When you’re injured in a car accident in Tulsa, you only have a certain amount of time to actually file an injury claim. This is called the “statute of limitations,” and is currently set at:
- Two years from the date of the accident.
If you don’t file your claim within this time frame, you’ll lose your right to file a claim at all. At that point, you would have to either:
- Rely on your own insurance or;
- Negotiate directly with the other party’s insurance, but without the same leverage.
So, you have options, but it’s fairly dependent on acting quickly. What’s more, the longer you wait, the more time there is for evidence to dry up and your injuries to heal.
Should You Wait to File an Injury Claim After a Car Accident?
Because there’s a deadline in place, you definitely shouldn’t wait to file a claim after you’re in a car accident in Tulsa. While you have up to two years to file a claim, starting the process early is crucial. Here’s why:
- Preserving evidence – The longer you wait, the harder it can be to collect strong evidence like photos, witness statements, or accident reports. Memories fade, and key details might be lost over time.
- Building a stronger case – Acting quickly allows our legal team to start investigating the accident and gathering the proof needed to support your claim.
- Avoiding insurance tactics – Insurance companies may use delays to their advantage, arguing that your injuries aren’t serious or didn’t result from the accident. Filing sooner shows you’re serious about your claim.
- Getting financial support sooner – Waiting to file also means waiting to receive any potential settlement. This can leave you struggling to cover medical bills, car repairs, or lost wages.
While you do have time, it’s always better to get started sooner rather than later. Acting quickly can help strengthen your claim and give you the best chance of receiving the result you need to recover.
What Damages Do You Get in a Car Accident Claim?
Your main goal after being hurt in a car accident that’s caused by someone else’s carelessness is to get financial support, which is called “damages.” This legal protection also holds the at-fault party accountable. Specifically, though, you do this by:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
Once your claim is filed, it’s going to come down to how well you show the extent of your damages to see what you can recover. Usually, this involves things like:
- Medical expenses – This covers costs of things like surgeries, medications, therapy, and long-term care related to your injuries.
- Lost wages – This covers any income lost due to your injuries, as well as future earnings if you can’t return to work.
- Property damage – This pays for repairs or replacements of damaged property, such as your car or phone.
- Pain and suffering – This takes your physical pain and mental suffering caused by the accident and your injuries into account.
- Emotional distress – Similarly, these damages cover the emotional and psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, or PTSD resulting from the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – This covers any changes that reduce your quality of life, such as being unable to participate in hobbies or maintain your relationships.
Remember, you only have two years from the date of the accident to file your injury claim. Missing this deadline means losing your chance to recover damages, no matter how valid your case is. Acting quickly and taking the proper steps to build a strong claim is extremely important to maximizing your damages. And one of the best ways to do that is to work with our experienced team.
Contact Ylla Gosney After a Tulsa Car Accident
If you were injured in a car accident in Tulsa, you might wonder if hiring a lawyer is necessary. While minor accidents may seem straightforward, any accident has the potential to get complicated. That’s where having our team on your side can make a big difference. We’ll help you by:
- Explaining your rights and options
- Gathering information and evidence to strengthen your claim
- Negotiating and communicating with insurance companies to protect your claim
- Making sure your claim is filed on time, whether it’s through insurance or a lawsuit
Our ultimate goal is to help you secure a fair settlement for your injuries and make the process as stress-free as possible. Plus, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency-fee basis, so there’s no upfront cost to get started. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Tulsa, don’t wait–contact us today to set up your free consultation.
