Edmond Hit & Run Accident Lawyer
Have you been seriously hurt in a hit and run accident in Edmond, OK? You have options to recover the compensation you deserve, even if the at-fault driver cannot be located. At McGuire Law Firm, we are here to help you explore your legal options and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
McGuire Law Firm has proudly represented Oklahoma injury victims for decades with over 50 years of combined legal experience.
Contact our law office today at (405) 513-5658 to schedule a free, no-obligation case review with an Edmond hit and run accident lawyer who will fight for you.
How McGuire Law Firm Can Help with a Hit & Run Injury Case?
A negligent driver hit you and left you injured, but now you’re in a difficult position. How will you recover the compensation you need for your medical bills, property damages, and lost wages? You may be successful in a claim against the driver, if they are found, or you may turn to your own insurance policy if you have UM/UIM coverage.
However, recovering the compensation you need can be an uphill battle without an experienced Edmond personal injury lawyer on your side. A skilled hit and run accident lawyer will advocate for you to attempt to find the negligent driver, protect your legal rights, and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company.
McGuire Law Firm is here to fight for your rights and help you move on with your life with the compensation you deserve. We have more than 50 years of combined experience handling complicated hit and run cases. Founding attorney Kent R. McGuire also spent 13 years representing insurance companies with crucial insight into the techniques insurance companies use to undervalue and deny claims.
When you hire McGuire Law Firm, you can count on us to:
- Offer experienced legal advice at every stage of your case
- Protect your constitutional rights and safeguard your claim against any admissions you may make
- Perform an investigation into your accident to determine how it happened, the value of your damages, and attempt to locate the at-fault driver
- Negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement deal
- Take your case to court if necessary
The overwhelming financial burden of a hit and run accident should not be left on your shoulders alone. Contact McGuire Law Firm to schedule your free consultation. We will put our decades of expertise and legal experience to work for you.
Oklahoma Hit and Run Accident Statistics
Hit and run accidents have become increasingly more common in recent years. In fact, AAA found that hit and run fatalities reached an all-time high in America with 2,049 fatalities in 2016, up 60% from 2009. The study found that 65% of people killed in a hit and run were pedestrians or bicyclists.
That same year, there were 25 hit and run fatalities in Oklahoma. Across the state, there are 23 hit and run accidents every day. Oklahoma City alone has 300-400 hit and runs per month.
Hit & Run Laws in Oklahoma
Oklahoma takes hit and runs very seriously. Under Oklahoma Statute § 10-104, a motorist has a legal duty to provide information and render aid when they are involved in an accident that causes injury, death, or property damage. Each motorist must provide their name, address, registration number, and show their license and insurance.
This statute allows for criminal charges against drivers who do not stop after an accident and comply with these rules. If the accident results in property damage but no injuries, a hit and run is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail. It is a felony to leave the scene of an accident with non-fatal injuries and may be punishable by up to two years in prison. Leaving the scene of an accident that causes death is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
If the hit and run driver is located, they may face these criminal penalties which are separate from a civil claim you may have. A civil lawsuit allows you to recover damages from the at-fault driver, if they are found. They do not need to be charged criminally to be found civilly liable for your injuries.
Why Do Edmond Hit & Run Accidents Happen?
Drivers flee the scene of an accident for many reasons. Sometimes these reasons are not malicious, such as panic or genuinely not realizing they were in an accident. However, criminal behavior is often linked to hit and runs.
Our injury lawyers often represent victims of hit and run motor vehicle accidents in which the at-fault driver fled for one of the following reasons.
- No car insurance
- No driver’s license or a suspended license
- Criminal record or active warrant
- Panicked or in shock
- Drunk driving or drugged driving
- Did not want to be responsible for damages
It’s even possible for a hit and run driver to legitimately not realize they were involved in an accident. This is more likely in minor accidents involving property damage in a parking lot or at a crosswalk involving a pedestrian accident.
There are many reasons someone may flee the scene of an accident, but it is virtually never excusable. Sadly, every day, victims across Oklahoma are left injured on the side of the road after a negligent driver leaves without a care. If you have been injured by a hit and run driver, it’s important to consult with a compassionate Edmond hit and run injury attorney as soon as possible.
Common Injuries in a Hit & Run Crash in Edmond, OK
Victims of hit and run accidents in Edmond are often left with serious injuries. The injuries sustained in a hit and run crash can be even more serious than the typical car accident because victims may not receive prompt medical attention if they are unable to call for help and they are not discovered by a bystander quickly.
At McGuire Law Firm, we represent victims who have suffered injuries such as:
- Broken bones
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries
- Chest injuries
- Back injuries
- Burns
- Organ damage
- Limb injuries
- Soft tissue injuries including whiplash
- Wrongful death
Have you been seriously injured in a hit and run crash? Contact an Edmond hit and run accident lawyer at McGuire Law Firm for the help you deserve. We will fight for maximum compensation to help you pay for your medical expenses and other damages.
Compensation Available After an Edmond Hit and Run Accident
It’s bad enough for an at-fault driver to flee the scene of a crash and fail to provide aid to an injured victim. However, that is just the beginning of your problems as an accident victim in a hit and run. You may find it difficult to recover the compensation you need when the at-fault driver is gone.
There are typically two options for recovering compensation:
- Filing an injury claim against the negligent driver
- Filing a claim against your own insurance carrier
To file a lawsuit against the other driver, they must first be located. This can be easier said than done. Most hit and run drivers are not found, although the police and your injury lawyer will try to find them.
If the driver is located, they will probably be charged with a crime and you can make a claim. If your claim is successful, you can recover damages such as:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses, both current and future
- Lost wages
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages like mental anguish and disfigurement
However, even if the driver is located, they probably do not have any or enough insurance to cover your damages.
In this case, you can turn to your own car insurance policy if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This coverage can pay for damages in a hit and run, including medical bills and property damages. It may also pay for your pain and suffering and lost wages. An uninsured motorist claim is usually the best option for recovering damages after a hit and run.
An Edmond car accident lawyer can still be invaluable if you decide to file a claim against your insurance policy. This is because your insurance carrier will step into the role of the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They may fight your claim by blaming you, downplaying the severity of your injuries, or offering low settlements that do not fully compensate you.
Contact Our Car Wreck Lawyer in Edmond Today
A hit and run crash can be a traumatic and frightening experience. It’s made even worse when you are left out of work with a painful recovery ahead and an unclear path to the compensation you need. An Edmond hit & run accident lawyer at McGuire Law Firm is here to help you fight for the compensation you deserve, whether it’s from the at-fault driver or your own insurance policy.
Recovering compensation after a hit and run accident can feel hopeless, but an experienced personal injury lawyer can help. Call our law office today to schedule your free consultation to discuss your case.