Personal injury representation on a contingency basis. No attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
If you have sustained injuries in an accident in Oklahoma City, you may be facing substantial medical expenses, lost income, and prolonged uncertainty about your legal options. Our Oklahoma City, OK black personal injury lawyer can provide the guidance you need during this critical period. Our attorneys bring 54 years of combined plaintiff-side experience to personal injury cases throughout Oklahoma. Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers offers a free consultation to every prospective client.
Personal Injury Lawyer Oklahoma City, OK
A personal injury case arises when someone suffers harm because another person or entity acted negligently. Oklahoma law gives the injured party the right to pursue compensation from whoever caused the harm. That compensation can cover the cost of medical treatment, income lost during recovery, and the physical and emotional toll the injury has taken on your daily life.
These claims come from a wide range of situations. Some involve a single moment of carelessness, such as a driver who runs a red light on Reno Avenue during rush hour. Others involve ongoing failures, like a property owner who leaves a broken staircase unrepaired for months. The question at the center of every case is the same: did someone else’s failure to exercise reasonable care cause your injury?
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Oklahoma City
Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers represents injured clients across a broad range of accident and injury matters in Oklahoma City. Below are the primary case types we handle.
- Car accidents. Vehicle collisions on Oklahoma City roads account for a significant share of the injury claims we see. We handle cases involving distracted driving, speeding, failure to yield, and at-fault drivers who are uninsured.
- Truck accidents. Crashes involving commercial vehicles tend to produce severe injuries because of the sheer size and weight difference between a tractor-trailer and a passenger car. We investigate driver logs, federal compliance records, and maintenance histories when building these claims.
- Motorcycle accidents. Riders face a much higher risk of serious physical harm in any collision. We pursue full compensation for motorcycle crash victims and push back against the bias that adjusters sometimes apply to riders.
- Pedestrian accidents. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle often faces a long, difficult recovery. According to NHTSA pedestrian data, thousands of pedestrians are killed and tens of thousands more are injured on American roads every year.
- Bicycle accidents. Cyclists hit by motor vehicles routinely sustain fractures, head trauma, and severe road rash. We hold negligent drivers accountable and fight for the medical costs, lost income, and pain these injuries cause.
- Slip and fall. Property owners in Oklahoma have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. When wet floors, uneven pavement, poor lighting, or broken handrails cause someone to fall, the property owner may be liable.
- Wrongful death. When negligence causes a death, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
- DUI accidents. Crashes caused by impaired drivers frequently result in catastrophic injuries. We bring civil claims against drunk and drugged drivers on behalf of the people they have harmed.
- Workers’ compensation. A workplace injury can leave you unable to earn a living while medical bills pile up. We help injured workers in Oklahoma City navigate the claims process and pursue the benefits they are owed.
Why Choose Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers as my Personal Injury Lawyer in Oklahoma City, OK?
Decades of Trial and Litigation Experience
Houston M. Smith has practiced personal injury law for more than 35 years. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law and holds bar admissions in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. Over the course of his career, Houston has tried numerous jury trials and secured verdicts in the seven-figure range. He is a member of ABOTA, the National Bar Association, the J.L. Turner Legal Society, and the Oklahoma Bar Association. He is also a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the Thurgood Marshall National Alumni Association.
Ryan Polchinski has handled personal injury and workers’ compensation cases in Oklahoma since 2014. Before turning 30, he had an opinion published by the Court of Civil Appeals of the State of Oklahoma. Andrew Polchinski, licensed in both Oklahoma and Texas and a graduate of SMU Dedman School of Law, has tried several jury trials to verdict.
Proven Results for Injured Oklahomans
Our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients throughout Oklahoma. Our results include recoveries in car accident, truck crash, motorcycle collision, and slip and fall cases. Our personal injury lawyer in Oklahoma City, OK takes every case on a contingency fee basis. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
What Is Important to Understand About a Personal Injury Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Personal Injury Cases
Oklahoma law allows injured individuals to pursue several categories of damages. The amount and type of compensation available depend on the severity of the injury, the facts of the accident, and the evidence preserved during the claim. Recoverable damages in personal injury cases generally fall into these categories:
- Wages lost during the time you were unable to work, as well as any reduction in your future earning capacity resulting from the severity of your injuries
- The physical pain sustained in the collision, along with the emotional and psychological distress experienced throughout your recovery
- All medical costs arising from the accident, including emergency care, surgical procedures, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and any future treatment your physicians deem necessary
- The loss of your ability to engage in hobbies, recreational activities, and other pursuits that contributed to your quality of life prior to the accident
Liability in a personal injury case is established by proving that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, failed to meet that duty, and directly caused your injuries. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence standard under 23 O.S. § 13. Under this rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 51 percent or more responsible for the accident, you cannot recover any damages at all.
What are Important Aspects of a Personal Injury Case?
A number of factors shape the strength and ultimate value of a personal injury claim in Oklahoma City, OK. Addressing these early on makes a meaningful difference in the outcome.
- Preserving evidence from the scene, including photographs, witness contact information, and any police or incident reports filed at the time
- Seeking medical attention promptly and following through with your treatment plan, because gaps in care give insurance companies a reason to challenge the seriousness of your injuries
- Avoiding recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney, since even well-intentioned answers can become costly mistakes
- Keeping organized records of every expense, missed workday, and limitation connected to the injury
What Is The Personal Injury Case Timeline?
Most personal injury claims in Oklahoma follow a general progression, though each case moves at its own pace depending on the case’s complexity and the severity of the injuries. A typical timeline looks like this:
- Initial consultation and case evaluation with a personal injury attorney
- Medical treatment and documentation of injuries, continuing until you reach maximum medical improvement
- Investigation, evidence gathering, and full calculation of damages
- Filing of an insurance claim or formal demand, followed by negotiation with the insurer
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached
- Discovery, depositions, and pretrial preparation
- Trial, if the case proceeds that far
Some claims resolve within a few months. Others, especially those involving disputed liability or serious injuries, may extend well beyond a year.
What Should You Bring to Your Personal Injury Consultation?
Gathering relevant materials before your first meeting with a black personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City helps us evaluate your situation more effectively. Bring whatever you have from the following:
- Any police report or incident report from the accident
- Medical records and bills tied to the injury
- Photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and property damage
- Proof of missed work or lost income, such as pay stubs or a letter from your employer
During the consultation, we review the facts, discuss your legal options, and outline how the process works from that point forward. There is no cost for this initial meeting and no obligation.
What Are Important Oklahoma Legal Resources for Personal Injury Cases?
Oklahoma’s personal injury laws are contained in the state’s statutory code. The following resources provide a starting point for understanding the rules that govern injury claims in the state.
- The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Oklahoma is two years from the date of injury, as established by 12 O.S. § 95
- Oklahoma applies a modified comparative negligence system under 23 O.S. § 13, which reduces or bars compensation based on the injured person’s share of fault
- Damages in Oklahoma personal injury cases are governed by state tort law, which permits recovery for both economic and non-economic losses
- The CDC provides national data on leading causes of accidental injury and death
- Who pays after an accident in Oklahoma depends on the circumstances of the incident and the insurance coverage available to both parties
Reach Out to Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation
If you or a family member has been injured in Oklahoma City due to someone else’s negligence, Polchinski & Smith Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help. We offer free consultations and handle every case on a contingency basis, so you will not owe attorney fees unless we secure a recovery on your behalf. Our Oklahoma City black personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and pursue the compensation you are owed. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.
