Types of Accidents That Cause Brain Injuries in Oklahoma City
A traumatic brain injury can completely change your life, causing memory problems, headaches, mood changes, and other serious symptoms. In addition to the mounting medical bills, you may be in need of home care, physical therapy, and other services. You might even lose the ability to support yourself.
Ray Maples, Rilee Harrison, and Christian Zeaman are experienced brain injuries lawyers in OKC. The attorneys at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC help victims and families manage the complex legal and medical challenges that follow a serious head injury.
Why Brain Injuries Are Legally Complex
Unlike broken bones, brain injuries are often invisible. A CT scan may appear normal, yet the injured person struggles with:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
- Sensory sensitivity
- Chronic headaches
- Personality changes
Because symptoms are not always obvious and the stakes are so high, insurance companies frequently dispute TBI claims. Early medical documentation and experienced legal guidance are essential.
Oklahoma follows a fault-based system for personal injury cases. That means the party who caused the accident is financially responsible. But proving fault and connecting it to a brain injury requires careful investigation.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of brain injury accidents in Oklahoma City. Even when airbags deploy, the force of a collision can cause the brain to move violently inside the skull.
Common causes include:
- High-speed highway collisions
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Rear-end crashes
- T-bone accidents at intersections
Liability Under Oklahoma’s Fault System
Oklahoma law requires drivers to carry liability insurance. If another driver caused the crash, their insurance should apply. But medical bills and care costs for brain injuries can be astronomical, and insurance company’s are looking for any excuse to deny your claim or minimize the full extent of your injuries.
The insurer may argue that your symptoms are minor, or they could argue that you are suffering from a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies might also try to shift blame away from their client by claiming that the accident was caused by your own negligence.
Under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence rules, your compensation can be reduced if you are partially at fault. If you are more than 50 percent responsible, you cannot recover damages.
A traumatic brain injury lawyer understands how to gather crash reports, medical records, and expert testimony to establish liability and demonstrate the full extent of your injury.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists lack the physical protection of a vehicle. As a result, TBIs are common in motorcycle crashes, even when riders wear helmets.
Common causes include:
- Drivers failing to yield
- Left-turn collisions
- Blind spot crashes
- Speeding vehicles
Truck Accidents
Commercial truck accidents often cause catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of these vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Brain injuries from truck crashes frequently involve:
- High-speed interstate collisions
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride crashes
- Multi-vehicle pileups
Multiple Liable Parties
Truck accident TBI claims are legally complex because multiple parties may be responsible:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo loader
- The maintenance provider
- The manufacturer of defective parts
Additionally, trucking companies must comply with federal regulations regarding:
- Hours-of-service limits
- Vehicle maintenance
- Driver qualifications
Violations of these regulations can strengthen your claim. However, trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to protect themselves. Early legal intervention is critical to preserve evidence such as driver logs and black box data.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls are a leading cause of TBIs, especially among older adults, but anyone can suffer a brain injury after striking their head on a hard surface.
Common hazards include:
- Wet floors
- Broken stairs
- Uneven sidewalks
- Poor lighting
- Icy walkways
Premises Liability in Oklahoma
Property owners have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. To win a premises liability case involving slip and fall brain injuries, you generally must prove:
- A dangerous condition existed
- The property owner knew or should have known about it
- They failed to fix it or warn visitors
- The hazard caused your injury
Insurance companies frequently argue that the victim was not paying attention or that the hazard was obvious. Thorough documentation and witness statements are often key to overcoming these defenses.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have virtually no protection when struck by a vehicle. Brain injury accidents in Oklahoma City frequently involve pedestrians hit in:
- Crosswalks
- Parking lots
- School zones
- Residential neighborhoods
Common causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Running red lights
Liability Considerations
Oklahoma law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. However, insurance companies may attempt to argue that:
- The pedestrian stepped into traffic unexpectedly
- The pedestrian was distracted
- The pedestrian crossed outside a designated area
Because pedestrian TBIs are often severe, these cases require aggressive advocacy to ensure compensation reflects long-term medical and cognitive impacts.
Defective Products and Brain Injuries
Not all TBIs are caused by traffic accidents. Some occur because a product failed to function safely.
Examples include:
- Defective motorcycle helmets
- Faulty airbags
- Unsafe industrial machinery
- Malfunctioning safety equipment
Product Liability Claims
Oklahoma product liability law allows injured individuals to pursue claims when a product is:
- Defectively designed
- Improperly manufactured
- Sold without adequate warnings
These cases often require engineering experts and extensive investigation. Manufacturers and their insurers aggressively defend these claims.
A traumatic brain injury lawyer can evaluate whether a defective product contributed to your injury and identify all responsible parties.
Workplace Accidents and Brain Injuries
Brain injuries frequently occur on job sites, especially in industries such as:
- Construction
- Oil and gas
- Warehousing
- Manufacturing
Common causes include:
- Falls from heights
- Falling objects
- Equipment malfunctions
- Vehicle accidents on the job
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Claims
Most on-the-job injuries fall under Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system. While workers’ comp provides medical treatment and partial wage replacement, it does not provide compensation for pain and suffering.
In some cases, a third-party lawsuit may also be available. For example:
- A subcontractor caused the accident
- A defective machine malfunctioned
- A negligent driver hit a worker
These third-party claims can significantly increase compensation beyond workers’ compensation benefits.
Understanding whether you have both options requires careful legal analysis.
The Long-Term Impact of Brain Injuries
TBIs are often life-altering. Long-term consequences may include:
- Cognitive impairment
- Emotional instability
- Depression or anxiety
- Inability to return to work
- Need for ongoing therapy
Insurance companies frequently underestimate these long-term effects. Early and thorough medical documentation is essential to show how the injury affects your daily life and earning capacity.
Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC works with medical experts, neurologists, and vocational professionals to present a clear picture of how a brain injury impacts your future.
Why Legal Representation Matters
Brain injury cases are rarely straightforward and carry unique liability standards and insurance challenges.
An experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly
- Identify all liable parties
- Preserve critical evidence
- Handle negotiations with insurers
- Calculate long-term damages
- File suit within Oklahoma’s statute of limitations
Without legal representation, you risk accepting a settlement that does not account for lifelong medical and cognitive consequences.
Speak With a Trusted Brain Injury Lawyer in OKC
The personal injury attorneys at Maples Harrison Zeaman PLLC have been helping people get justice in OKC since 2002, and we are ready to help you understand your legal options.
Call (405) 705-5050 to schedule your free consultation.