Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident in Oklahoma?
Car accidents can happen in an instant, but the aftermath can linger for months—or even years. In 2021 alone, over 11,000 people were injured in car accidents across Oklahoma. Many of those victims were unable to return to work for extended periods due to the severity of their injuries.
If you’ve been in a crash, the physical pain is just one part of the challenge. The medical bills add up quickly, and most people don’t know who is responsible for covering those costs. Is it the at-fault driver? Your own insurance? Someone else entirely?
As experienced car accident lawyers in Oklahoma, the attorneys at Aizenman Law Group know that the answer depends on several factors—including fault, insurance coverage, and how the accident is investigated. The sooner you speak with an injury attorney, the better your chances of recovering full compensation for your medical expenses.
Common Injuries After a Car Accident
When you’re involved in a crash, your body can suffer more than you realize in the moment. Auto accidents in Oklahoma often lead to serious and sometimes fatal injuries—especially on rural roads and highways where vehicles travel at higher speeds.
Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
- Severe lacerations
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue damage
- Burns
- Loss of limbs
Medical care after an accident is not only critical—it’s expensive. A single ambulance ride can cost thousands. Add to that an emergency room visit, imaging tests, surgeries, medication, and physical therapy, and the total climbs fast. Even mental health support may be necessary to process the emotional trauma of a crash.
Understanding who should pay for all of this is essential. And if you aren’t careful, you could end up footing the bill for someone else’s mistake.
Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law
Negligence occurs when someone fails to act with reasonable care, causing harm to another person. This might mean speeding, ignoring traffic signals, or driving while distracted. The fault is rarely one-sided. That’s where Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law comes into play.
To determine financial responsibility after a car accident, Oklahoma follows a system called Modified Comparative Negligence. This means fault is divided among the parties involved—based on percentages.
Here’s how it works:
- If you are less than 51% at fault, you can seek compensation.
- Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- If you are more than 50% at fault, you can’t recover any damages.
Let’s say your total medical bills are $20,000. If you are found to be 20% at fault, you could still recover 80%, or $16,000. But if you’re 51% at fault or more, you’d be barred from recovery.
Here’s a real-world example: Imagine you’re driving through Tulsa and another driver—distracted by texting—runs a red light and hits you. You suffer a spinal injury. But it turns out you were slightly speeding. The court might assign 90% of the blame to the other driver and 10% to you. That small percentage affects your payout, but doesn’t bar your recovery.
Insurance companies love to exploit this rule. They’ll do whatever they can to shift more fault onto you to avoid paying a full settlement. That’s where an experienced personal injury lawyer comes in—to make sure your side of the story is heard and supported with solid evidence.
What Medical Expenses Can Be Recovered After an Accident?
If someone else caused your injuries, you shouldn’t be left paying out of pocket. Thankfully, Oklahoma law allows victims to recover nearly all accident-related medical expenses—as long as those expenses were necessary and reasonable.
This includes:
- Hospital stays
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance rides
- Surgeries and procedures
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy or rehab
- Mental health counseling
- Pain and suffering
Many people don’t realize that compensation isn’t just for what you’ve already paid—it also covers future medical costs and any ongoing treatment you may need.
Still, insurance claim lawyers know how common it is for insurers to undervalue these damages. If your insurer denies your claim or offers a lowball settlement, you may be dealing with a wrongful denial. That’s when a lawsuit may be necessary.
How a Personal Injury Attorney Proves Negligence
When you hire a personal injury attorney, their primary goal is to prove that the other driver was negligent—and that their actions directly caused your injuries.
Our team of auto accident attorneys will gather all the critical evidence, including:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Traffic camera footage
- Phone records (if distracted driving is suspected)
- Photos of the accident scene
- Vehicle damage reports
We may also work with accident reconstruction experts to recreate the crash, especially in cases involving severe injuries or wrongful death.
The goal is to create a clear, factual timeline that shows the other driver’s negligence. Maybe they were speeding, intoxicated, or texting behind the wheel. Whatever the case, we build a case that proves fault and protects your rights.
Meanwhile, insurance companies will look for any excuse to blame you. They’ll argue you weren’t paying attention, or you contributed to the crash. That’s why you need someone who knows how to fight back—and who has done it successfully before.
Important: Be Cautious About Giving Recorded Statements
After a car accident, insurance companies often ask for a recorded statement. It may seem like a simple request, but it can seriously hurt your case. You’re not legally required to give one, and your words may be twisted to make it look like you were more at fault or that your injuries aren’t as severe. Before speaking to any insurer, contact Aizenman Law Group’s attorneys first. They can protect your rights, handle the communication for you, and help you avoid common pitfalls.
Why Timing Matters After a Crash
If you’ve been in an accident, the clock is already ticking. Oklahoma has a two-year statute of limitations for car accident claims. Wait too long, and you could lose your right to seek compensation—even if the other driver was clearly at fault.
Acting quickly allows your injury attorney to preserve important evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and stay ahead of any attempts by insurers to weaken your claim.
Every moment counts. The sooner you call a car accident lawyer, the sooner we can start working on your case—and the stronger your case will be.
Need Help With a Wrongful Denial or Injury Claim?
Insurance companies don’t always play fair. Whether you’re dealing with a wrongful denial of your claim or just need help navigating a complicated injury case, our team is here to fight for you.
At Aizenman Law Group, our insurance claim lawyers know how to hold insurance companies accountable. We’ve helped clients across Oklahoma recover compensation for injuries, medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.
We’re here to answer your questions, take the pressure off your shoulders, and pursue the maximum recovery allowed under the law.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Don’t leave your future in the hands of the insurance company. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, reach out to Aizenman Law Group today. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights, and handle the insurance company so you don’t have to.
Call Aizenman Law Group at 918-215-8856 any time day or night for a free consultation. We’ll listen. And together, we’ll figure out the next right step for you and your family.
