Oklahoma Is an At Fault State for Car Accidents
When a car accident occurs, there are nearly always damages and injuries. Determining who will pay for resulting damages comes largely down to whether a person lives in an at fault state or a no-fault state.
Oklahoma is an at fault state for car accidents, which means that the person who is found liable for the accident is responsible for covering the cost of damages. Here, the car accident lawyers at The Tawwater Law Firm go into further detail about what it means to live in an at-fault state, and how it may affect our Oklahoma City, OK, clients.
No Fault vs. At Fault
The primary difference between a no-fault state and an at fault state for car accidents is who is responsible for covering the cost of accident damages. In a no-fault state, each person involved in the accident goes through their insurance company to recoup accident losses such as property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages.
In an at fault state, an investigation is performed to determine who caused the accident, or who is liable. The person or party that is found liable for the accident is responsible for covering the cost of accident damages for all involved parties. On top of being held accountable for financial losses, the liable party may also be responsible for non-financial damages, such as pain and suffering.
Benefits of Living in an At Fault State
Living in an at fault state is often beneficial for our Oklahoma City clients. At fault laws hold reckless and negligent drivers responsible for their actions so that others don’t have to pay the financial cost of their mistakes. In addition to saving accident victims from paying for the losses of an accident, at fault states may also prevent insurance premium increases for drivers who are found to be not at fault for a collision.
Protecting Yourself from Liability
One potential downside of living in an at fault state is that a driver is likely to face steep financial losses if they are found liable for a car accident. If drivers are involved in an accident that they believe to be the fault of another person or party, they should take certain steps to protect themselves from liability. We recommend that our Oklahoma City clients do as many of these things as possible after a car accident:
- Notify local authorities
- Exchange information with all involved drivers (name, phone number, and insurance info)
- Get contact information for any accident witnesses
- Take photos of involved vehicles and the accident scene (road conditions, street signs, etc.)
- Seek medical attention for any injuries
- Make notes regarding the details of the accident
- Alert your insurance company of the accident
- Avoid claiming liability for the accident, either at the scene or when talking to insurance companies
Contact Us
If you have been involved in an accident that was caused by another driver, the attorneys at The Tawwater Law Firm can fight to get you just compensation for accident damages. To learn more about your legal options, contact our team at your earliest convenience or call our practice at (405) 673-8021.