1. McIntyre Law PC
Focus Area: Personal injury and product liability litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, drug liability, defective medical devices, product liability, mass torts, wrongful death
Background: The firm brings 90-plus years of combined legal experience to personal injury cases. Attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The firm regularly conducts focus groups to prepare for trials and understand jury perspectives. Licensed to practice in Oklahoma state and federal courts, with nationwide case handling capability.
Location: 8601 S. Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73139
Contact: (405) 917-5500 | https://mcintyrelaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. Contingency fee basis means no fees unless the case is won.
2. Abel Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation serving Oklahoma City and surrounding communities
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall, workplace injuries, wrongful death, premises liability, catastrophic injuries
Background: Established in 1976 with decades serving Oklahoma residents. The firm has secured significant verdicts and settlements across various case types. Attorneys are familiar with Oklahoma City courts, local insurers, and regional legal procedures. Located near The Village and serving the greater Oklahoma City metropolitan area.
Location: 900 NE 63rd St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Contact: (405) 239-7046 | https://www.abellawfirm.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation. Contingency fee structure with no payment required unless the case results in recovery.
3. Johnson & Biscone, P.A.
Focus Area: Personal injury and workers’ compensation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, spinal cord injuries, workplace injuries, workers’ compensation, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: Nearly a century of combined legal experience among the firm’s attorneys. The practice model ensures clients speak directly with an attorney from the initial call and work with that same attorney throughout the case. The firm handles both personal injury claims and workers’ compensation matters, understanding the intersection of these practice areas.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Contact: (405) 232-6490 | https://www.oklalegal.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available. The firm is prepared to go to court when necessary to achieve appropriate compensation.
4. Colbert Cooper Hill Attorneys
Focus Area: Personal injury representation throughout Oklahoma
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, disability claims
Background: The firm has secured millions in settlements for clients across Oklahoma. Attorneys work to negotiate with healthcare providers to delay payment obligations until cases conclude and often help reduce medical bills. The practice emphasizes fighting for fair compensation rather than quick settlements that may leave clients financially vulnerable.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (serving statewide)
Contact: (405) 755-2266 | https://getcolbert.com/
Consultation: Free case review. Contingency fee arrangement with no payment unless the firm wins.
5. Law Offices of Stipe & Belote
Focus Area: Personal injury representation for Oklahoma City residents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, work injuries, slip and fall, wrongful death, premises liability
Background: Over 40 years of combined experience between the firm’s founding attorneys. James Belote graduated from the University of Oklahoma Law School in 1988 and has practiced personal injury law since that time. Jack Stipe graduated from the University of Oklahoma Law School in 1999. The firm has achieved numerous million-dollar settlements and verdicts throughout Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Contact: (405) 235-9300 | https://www.stipeinjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation. The firm operates on contingency fees with no upfront costs.
Personal Injury Laws in Oklahoma
Statute of Limitations
Oklahoma imposes a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. This deadline begins on the date the injury occurred. For intentional torts such as assault and battery, the deadline is only one year. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within two years, with the clock starting from the date of death rather than the date of injury. Claims against governmental entities have additional requirements, including filing written notice within one year of injury and then filing suit within 180 days after the claim is denied or deemed denied after 90 days of inaction.
Negligence Rule
Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 50% bar. Under this rule, an injured person can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for causing their own injuries. The compensation awarded is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the injured party. If the injured person is found to be 50% or more responsible, they are completely barred from recovering any damages. This system applies in court proceedings and encourages careful evidence gathering to establish fault percentages.
Damage Caps
Oklahoma previously had a $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages, but the Oklahoma Supreme Court declared this cap unconstitutional in 2019. Currently, there are no statutory caps on economic or noneconomic damages in personal injury cases resulting from negligence. Punitive damages are capped at $100,000 or the amount of actual damages awarded, whichever is greater, for cases involving reckless disregard. For intentional and malicious conduct, the punitive damages cap increases to $500,000, twice the actual damages, or the financial benefit gained, whichever is greater. When suing governmental entities, damage caps apply: $125,000 for most government claims, $175,000 for cities or counties with populations over 300,000, and $200,000 for medical malpractice against state-owned hospitals.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Oklahoma is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for paying damages. All drivers must carry minimum liability insurance of 25/50/25: $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. Insurance companies must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers can reject it in writing. Medical payments coverage and collision/comprehensive coverage are optional. An estimated 16-25% of Oklahoma drivers are uninsured, making additional coverage advisable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma law gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This applies to collisions on Interstate 35, Interstate 40, the Kilpatrick Turnpike, or any other Oklahoma City roadway. If you fail to file within this two-year period, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case and you will lose the right to recover compensation, regardless of how serious your injuries may be or how clearly the other driver was at fault.
Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault for my accident in Oklahoma?
Yes, but only if you were less than 50% at fault. Oklahoma uses modified comparative negligence, which means your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if your damages total $100,000 and you were 30% responsible, you would receive $70,000. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover anything. Insurance adjusters often try to assign fault to injured parties to reduce payouts.
Are there caps on what I can recover for pain and suffering in Oklahoma?
No. The Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down the previous $350,000 cap on noneconomic damages as unconstitutional in 2019. This means juries can award appropriate amounts for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life based on the specific facts of each case. Economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages have never been capped. Punitive damages still have limits but are rarely awarded in typical personal injury cases.
What should I do if I am hit by an uninsured driver in Oklahoma City?
First, file a police report and document everything about the accident. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage on your own policy, you can file a claim with your insurance company to cover your injuries and damages. Without this coverage, you may need to sue the uninsured driver directly, though collecting money from someone without insurance or assets can be difficult. This situation highlights why insurance professionals recommend carrying uninsured motorist coverage, especially given that nearly one-quarter of Oklahoma drivers lack insurance.
How do claims against Oklahoma City or other government entities differ from regular injury claims?
Claims against government entities in Oklahoma face stricter requirements. You must file written notice of your claim within one year of the injury. If the government does not act on your claim within 90 days, it is treated as denied. You then have only 180 days to file a lawsuit after denial. Additionally, damage caps apply to government claims that do not apply to private parties. For Oklahoma City specifically, the cap is $175,000 because its population exceeds 300,000. These special rules make prompt consultation with an attorney particularly important.