When someone is injured in an accident, one of the first questions we often hear is, “Who is responsible for covering the costs?” Whether it’s medical bills, lost wages, or property damage, knowing where financial responsibility lies can be confusing. If you’re dealing with this situation, speaking with an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer early on can help you understand what steps to take and what your options may look like.
At Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over 54 combined years successfully defending the rights of injury victims and their families. We understand how scary it is to be injured and suddenly face a pile of bills.
The Person Who Caused The Injury
In most cases, the person or party who caused the injury is legally responsible for paying for the damage. This could be a driver who ran a red light, a business that failed to clean up a spill, or a property owner who didn’t fix a known hazard, or anyone who caused an innocent person to be traumatically injured. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means if someone is mostly at fault—more than 50%—they are financially responsible. If you’re partially at fault, any compensation you receive may be reduced by your share of responsibility.
Their Insurance Company
When an at-fault party has insurance, the claim usually goes through their insurance provider. For example, if you were injured in a car accident, the at-fault driver’s auto insurance is typically responsible for paying damages. In a slip-and-fall at a store, the company’s liability insurance may cover the costs. One thing to keep in mind—insurance companies often try to settle quickly and for less than the full amount. That’s one reason it helps to speak with an attorney before agreeing to anything.
Your Own Insurance Coverage
In some situations, your own insurance may come into play. This happens when the other party is uninsured or underinsured. If you have uninsured motorist coverage or medical payments coverage on your auto policy, that can help cover some of the costs. Health insurance may also help with immediate medical expenses. However, your insurer may later seek reimbursement if someone else is found responsible. If it is at all possible to get the negligent or malicious person who caused your injury to pay, even if you have to hire a lawyer to do this. Most personal injury lawyer’s work on a contingency basis. This means that you do not have to pay them unless they get compensation awarded to you.
Commercial Vehicle And Truck Accidents
When a large truck or commercial vehicle is involved, things can get more complicated. The driver, the company they work for, and even third-party maintenance providers could all share some of the responsibility. A truck accident lawyer can help sort out which parties may be liable and identify all available insurance coverage. These types of cases often involve more serious injuries and higher financial stakes, which means it’s even more important to act quickly.
What To Do Next
If you’ve been hurt, focus on getting medical care first. Then, start collecting any documentation that shows what happened and how you’ve been affected—this includes police reports, medical bills, and photos. The more information you have, the easier it is to support your claim. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own, and you shouldn’t feel pressured to make decisions without understanding your rights.
At Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re here to help you take the right steps. We have multiple decades of experience successfully defending the rights of injury victims and their families against big insurance companies. We know how scary it is to to be injured and we have 247 live answering so that you don’t ever have to feel like you are alone
