First and foremost, if you have been injured, get medical treatment. If you are able, take photos of the vehicles involved and the accident scene, or in the case of a slip, trip, or fall, your surroundings and what caused you to fall. Also, pictures of your injuries and the progression of healing are helpful. Anything you say after the accident can, and will, be used against you if you pursue a claim and/or lawsuit, so do not admit fault and do not apologize. If you believe someone else is at fault for the accident, it is important to schedule a consultation with an attorney to learn what options are available to you.

The best way to learn if you have a case is to consult with a lawyer. This will allow you to learn what your options are based upon the law in your state and the facts and circumstances of your case. This is not a decision you have to make on your own. The lawyer can assist you in making an informed decision based upon the legal standard you, as a Plaintiff, will have to meet in court and the facts of your case.

In Oklahoma the statute of limitations for a person to file a personal injury lawsuit is generally two years. There are very narrow exceptions for the statute of limitations and you should not assume the exception is applicable to you.

If you know you intend to hire a lawyer it is best to not speak with the insurance adjuster and most certainly, do not agree to give a recorded statement. The insurance adjuster may sound friendly and sympathetic to your situation, however, they will use what you say to try to lower or negate liability. If you have hired an attorney, tell the insurance adjuster to contact your attorney.

If the insurance company is fighting you on liability you will need to pay those bills initially. If you have health insurance that will likely help or Medical Payments coverage may also apply after an accident. Any insurers will likely have a right to be reimbursed from any settlement you receive. If you have no insurance a medical provider may be willing to file a medical lien against any settlement proceeds. This allows you to receive the medical treatment you need and allow the medical provider to receive payment for services rendered at a later date.

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee. This means you do not have to pay any money up front to the attorney. The attorney will collect a percentage of any settlement or judgment that is obtained. So, this means if you get nothing from the case, neither does the attorney.