Whenever you or a loved one is in a car accident, the first thing on your mind is likely about the health and safety of the individual involved. Sadly, the second thing on your mind is all too likely the cost associated with this accident and how you’ll be able to pay for what you just experienced.
Injured in Oklahoma City? Call Warhawk Legal at (405) 397-1717 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
At Warhawk Legal, we get this line of questioning all the time. Being in a motor vehicle accident in Oklahoma City isn’t cheap, which is why we wrote this guide. Below, we’ll discuss the costs you’ll likely experience after a car accident in Oklahoma City. We’ll also look at the other types of fees you might experience after being in an accident, no matter who was at fault.
If you have questions after reading our blog, call us at (405) 397-1717 or schedule your appointment online so we can discuss your questions with you.
Common Costs of Economic Damages in Car Accidents in Oklahoma
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the more severe a car accident is, the more expensive it is for those involved. The average cost of a car accident is $6,100 – that’s if only property damage is involved. As soon as there is a possible injury, the average cost skyrockets to $26,000 per accident.
If an injury is considered disabling, the average cost of an accident for the victim is $162,000. If the victim loses their life, the cost to their surviving relatives and family is $1,869,000.
When contemplating how economically expensive it is to be in a car accident, here are the common costs that begin adding up:
- Vehicle Replacement or Repair Cost
- Medical Bills
- Rehabilitation Costs
- Lost Wages and Future Earning Potential
- Lowered Future Earning Capacity
- Assisted Living Costs
- Funeral or Burial Expenses
Often, a car accident is a chain reaction, causing not just financial turmoil to you but also your family and those who rely on you.
Non-Economic Damages in Oklahoma Car Accidents
After considering the direct financial costs of your car accident, there are the “invisible” costs associated with the incident. Not only do you experience intense physical injury and property damage, odds are you will have some situations arise from the accident that are difficult to quantify. Up to 48% of all car accident victims end up experiencing some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Non-economic damages will help you financially if you experience any of the following:
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress
- Anxiety and/or Depression
- PTSD
- Loss of Companionship
- Loss of Consortium
Other Costs and Fees Of Car Collisions
Even after economic and non-economic damages, there are some hidden costs associated with car accidents. It makes sense that you’d likely have repairs on your car or medical bills, but there may be some costs you’re not prepared for.
You may experience the following after your car accident
- Higher Insurance Costs
- Court Costs or Traffic Tickets
- Towing Service Fees
- Vehicle Rentals
- Loan Payments on Inoperable Car
- Expert Witness Testimony
So, if you’re struggling under the weight of unexpected car accident costs like any discussed in this blog, give our team a call at (405) 397-1717 for a free case review and consultation. You can also book it online.
How Oklahoma Courts Calculate and Document Car Accident Damages
Medical damages in an Oklahoma car accident claim are documented through billing records, explanation of benefits statements, and provider testimony projecting future treatment costs. An economist or life-care planner converts future medical needs into a present-dollar figure the jury can evaluate. Lost wage documentation comes from employment records, pay stubs, and employer testimony about missed days and lost advancement opportunities. For self-employed claimants, tax returns and business records establish earning capacity. Non-economic damages — pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life — are argued through medical records, the victim’s own testimony, and treating physician accounts of the injury’s functional impact. The result is a damages package that is far more detailed than a stack of medical bills, and it is what distinguishes serious injury settlements from quick, low offers.
Oklahoma’s personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the crash date. Warhawk Legal builds this complete damages record before any settlement negotiation — which is why our clients recover more than unrepresented claimants who settle before the full cost of their injuries is known. Free consultation: (405) 397-1717.
Frequently Asked Questions
The other driver’s insurer offered me a settlement the day after the crash — should I take it? No. First-day offers are calculated before the full extent of injuries is known. Soft-tissue injuries, concussions, and internal trauma often develop over days to weeks. Accepting closes all future claims — including for treatment you have not yet received.
What if my medical bills exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits? Your own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage steps in when the at-fault driver’s limits are insufficient. An attorney identifies all available coverage sources, including UIM, employer policies, and any third-party liability, before settling.
Are punitive damages available in Oklahoma car accident cases? Yes, when the at-fault driver’s conduct was reckless — drunk driving, street racing, extreme speed. Punitive damages are separate from compensatory damages and come directly from the defendant.
Learn more from our contact us for a free consultation. Call us for a free case review.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Oklahoma City car accident attorney at Warhawk Legal. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.