A car accident is often a traumatic experience, especially when the other driver involved in the collision flees and leaves you at the accident scene.
If you suffered a hit-and-run accident in Oklahoma, record every detail of your incident and talk to an experienced hit-and-run attorney as soon as possible. Learn more below about steps you should take after a hit-and-run accident in Oklahoma.
What To Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Oklahoma
If you or anyone else on the accident scene needs emergency medical help, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, you should:
- Stay put and don’t try to chase the offender, as this could put you at risk. If you memorized the motorist’s license plate number, write it down.
- Call the police and report the hit-and-run. Try to recall as much information as you can about the offender to help law enforcement find them.
- Get a full medical check-up, even if it doesn’t seem like you suffered serious injuries—and save any medical records.
- Notify your insurance company of the accident, but refrain from accepting any settlement offer before you talk to a personal injury lawyer.
Your Legal Options as a Hit-and-Run Victim
As a hit-and-run victim in Oklahoma, you can pursue two parallel courses of action:
- File a claim with your insurer. If your policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, you may expect your insurer to compensate you for medical expenses, vehicle repair or replacement, and other accident-related costs. This is true even if the police never apprehend the offending driver.
- Take action against the offender. If law enforcement catches the driver who was involved in your hit-and-run, you can file a claim against the responsible party’s insurer and/or pursue a civil lawsuit against the offender. In many cases, hit-and-run offenses in Oklahoma get charged as a felony punishable by heavy fines and jail time. A court may also award you punitive damages for the offending driver’s unlawful behavior.
Compensation You May Expect to Recover After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Oklahoma
It’s hard to predict how much your car accident claim may be worth, but typically, hit-and-run accident in Oklahoma victims recover compensation for:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization, rehabilitation, and prescription drugs costs
- Past and future lost wages
- Vehicle damage
- Punitive damages, in case the police find the offending driver and you pursue legal action against them
Like other personal injury claims, hit-and-runs are subject to Oklahoma’s two-year statute of limitations. However, you should file a claim as soon as possible, while it’s easier to source fresh evidence relevant to your case.
Why You Need to Contact an Experienced Hit-and-Run Lawyer ASAP
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is vital in every car accident case, especially if you suffered a hit-and-run accident in Oklahoma. A skilled hit-and-run attorney can:
- Evaluate your claim and explain your legal options
- Handle communication with your insurer and the at-fault party’s insurance provider and file a claim on your behalf
- Fight any attempt to deny or minimize your claim
- Help you take legal action against the offending driver
- Represent you at trial if necessary
Bryan Garrett, PLLC: Trusted Legal Support for Hit-and-Run Victims in OKC
A hit-and-run accident in Oklahoma can leave you with serious injuries, overwhelming medical costs, lost wages, and emotional trauma. If you suffered a hit-and-run accident in Oklahoma City, contact our law firm.
At the law offices of Bryan Garrett, PLLC, we have over 15 years of legal experience in Oklahoma car accidents and hit-and-run cases. We can evaluate your case, help you file a personal injury claim, and pursue compensation. For a free initial consultation, call us at (405) 369-4498 or fill out our online form.