Contact the OKC car accident lawyers today of Abel Law Firm if you were injured in an accident with a reckless driver. According to Oklahoma statute § 47-11-901, reckless driving involves operating a motor vehicle wantonly or carelessly without regard for another person’s safety or property or violating the conditions of statute 47-11-801. Violating this statute could result in a misdemeanor charge with fines and a jail sentence.

Auto accidents in Oklahoma City are common. With many roadways, waterways, and mountains, the chance you’ll be involved in a collision is quite high. It is always painful to become injured in a car accident, but few things are more complicated than knowing another driver’s violent recklessness caused your suffering. It is incredibly infuriating when someone’s indifference towards another driver’s safety results in an injury.

At Abel Law Firm, our Oklahoma City reckless driving lawyers understand the unique pain you and your family must feel. In our 150 years of combined legal experience, we have built a reputation for helping reckless driving victims get the financial compensation they deserve. We understand this is a difficult time in your life. Our goal is to resolve your case as favorably and quickly as possible.

When you hire us, you will be our top priority. We will be by your side every step of the way to provide you with the legal and emotional support you need. We treat our clients like family. Our attorneys, paralegals, and staff will always treat you respectfully and compassionately. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today by calling (405) 239-7046 for a free consultation.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is when an individual completely disregards the rules of the road and the safety of other drivers. Many factors can contribute to reckless driving. Unfortunately, an accident can still happen even if you take all the necessary precautions. The most common examples of reckless driving are:

Speeding
Tailgating
Illegal passing
Weaving in and out of traffic
Failure to use turn signals
Failure to yield the right of way
Drunk driving
Distracted driving
Running stop signs or red traffic lights

Crossing paths with a reckless driver can devastate the victim and their family. No one should have to go through a situation like this. The Oklahoma City reckless driving lawyers at Abel Law Firm are ready to take on your case so you receive the maximum settlement available.

How We Can Help

At Abel Law Firm, we fight tenaciously to get our clients the money they deserve following their accidents. We believe in the American ideal of justice for all and have a reputation for backing up that belief with experienced representation. We use all the resources we have at our disposal to prove the other driver caused your accident and should be held responsible.

Serious injuries can be expensive. Victims may pay out of pocket for medical bills and other expenses, including lost wages. If you cannot work because of your accident, you might be worried about where you’ll get the money to pay for your treatment. No one should be forced to bear this financial burden alone. Our Oklahoma City reckless driving accident attorneys may be able to help get you the compensation you deserve if you or someone you love has been injured, or worse, in a car accident.

When you hire one of our Oklahoma City reckless driving lawyers, we will begin to work on your case immediately. It is a legal requirement for all drivers in Oklahoma to carry auto insurance with minimum liability limits. These limits can cover the losses you sustained while undergoing treatment. We will file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your behalf and open a full investigation into the crash to prove the other person caused it. Some of the evidence we’ll collect during our investigation to prove your claim includes:

Police reports
Witness statements
The liable driver’s insurance policy
Photos of the accident scene
Video surveillance of the traffic crash
Your medical records

While we’re securing all the evidence we need to build a solid case for you, it is your responsibility to undergo the necessary treatment. Seeking care at a hospital or urgent care facility immediately after the accident can be vital evidence. You should also follow your doctor’s orders and receive treatment from any specialty physician they refer you to see.

Insurance companies are known for not playing fair. They will perform their investigation into the accident and try to find a way to deny your claim. Sometimes, they resort to sneaky tactics by intimidating claimants into signing forms with confusing language that waives the claimant’s right to the maximum available liability limit. Our Oklahoma City reckless driving accident attorneys won’t allow anyone to take advantage of you. We will aggressively pursue the compensation you need to cover your losses.

Compensation for Your Injuries After A Reckless Driving Accident

You could receive compensation for various losses based on the severity of your injuries and the length of treatment. These include physical, emotional, and financial losses from a car accident. Throughout your medical care, you could end up with tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in past and future costs you cannot pay for on your own. It should be the responsibility of the at-fault driver and their insurance company to cover everything.

Some of these losses could include:

Medical Expenses: Any past or future treatment that is medically necessary for your recovery, such as ER visits, diagnostic testing, home health nursing, surgery, physical therapy, ambulance services, and prescription drugs.
Emotional distress: Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological damage impacts your happiness and well-being.
Pain and suffering: Severe physical pain caused by your injuries prevents you from performing your daily tasks.
Lost Wages: You won’t be able to earn past and future pay. This also includes commissions, bonuses, promotions, and paid time off you can’t receive because your injuries kept you out of work.
Loss of Consortium: If a victim’s injuries affect their relationships, an immediate family member can seek compensation.
Death Benefits: If an individual dies due to someone else’s reckless driving, loved ones can seek compensation for expenses, such as funeral and burial costs.

Our Oklahoma City reckless driving attorneys know how to handle cases like yours. We can aggressively fight against insurance companies or take your case to court if necessary. You can rest assured you will be in excellent hands when you hire us.

Oklahoma City Car Accident Laws

The fault system in Oklahoma determines who should be held liable after a car crash. In other words, whoever is at fault becomes financially responsible for the injured victim’s losses. State law requires all motorists to purchase liability insurance with minimum limits of:

$25,000 for bodily injury per person
$50,000 for bodily injury per accident
$25,000 for property damage

The amount of coverage on the at-fault driver’s policy will determine the maximum settlement you could pursue in a claim. Unfortunately, not all drivers carry liability coverage. If an uninsured driver caused your reckless driving accident, you might be entitled to compensation from your auto insurance company.

Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) insurance is an optional coverage that provides compensation if:

The at-fault driver does not have liability insurance;
The at-fault driver’s liability limits aren’t high enough; or
A hit-and-run driver caused the accident.

When you file a UM claim, you could pursue the following losses:

Medical bills
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Out-of-pocket expenses

Another option is to file a civil lawsuit against the driver and their auto insurance company. Typically, it is best to sue for compensation if the liable driver doesn’t have insurance or the insurance company denied your claim unfairly. Abel Law Firm can review the facts of your case to determine how we should proceed.

You must follow a two-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for the injuries you sustained in a car crash. That means you have two years from the accident date to sue. If the deadline passes, you could lose your right to seek compensation in court in this matter.

What You Should and Should Not Do After An Accident

Even if it is clear that another person’s recklessness caused your injuries, there are crucial steps you should take and actions you should avoid. If you make a mistake during the legal process, you could receive much less compensation than you deserve.

Do seek immediate medical treatment. Insurance companies will look at a gap in treatment (i.e., delayed initial treatment or significant periods between appointments) as evidence that you didn’t sustain an injury or it isn’t severe enough to require treatment.

Don’t speak with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They aim to avoid paying as little money as possible, or they may try to deny your claim altogether. They could use anything you say to them against you. Let your Oklahoma City reckless driving lawyer handle all communication on your behalf.

Do hire an attorney to handle your case. You could represent yourself in a claim or lawsuit, but you probably won’t know how to overcome the obstacles you face or the specific state laws you must comply with during the legal process. Abel Law Firm knows the ins and outs of reckless driving accidents and will ensure we protect your rights.

Don’t admit any amount of fault. Oklahoma follows a modified comparative negligence rule that could diminish the maximum compensation you’re entitled to if your actions partially contributed to the crash.

Do maintain copies of all documentation associated with your case. That includes medical records, bills, vehicle repair estimates, insurance company letters, and anything you receive. Evidence is critical in proving another person was at fault for your injuries and that they should be held accountable for their actions.

Don’t settle your case without consulting with an attorney first. Most people don’t understand that they don’t have to accept the first offer an insurance company provides. Typically, it’s low and not nearly enough to cover all losses. Abel Law Firm will review all insurance policies to determine the maximum amount of coverage available and how much you should receive based on the facts of the case.

Contact Abel Law Firm Today for A Free Consultation

If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident caused by a reckless driver, we may be able to help. It would help if you did not have to pay the financial expenses of an accident when someone else was at fault. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients. There will be no risk or obligation to speak with us. We will be happy to meet with you and review the details of your case to determine if we can proceed with it.

Our legal professionals are available 24/7 to provide you with the legal advice and guidance you need. We never pressure anyone into making a decision they’re not entirely comfortable making. We’re here to let you know your options so you can decide what best fits your needs. To learn more about how the Oklahoma City reckless driving accident attorneys of Abel Law Firm may be able to get you the compensation that you need, contact us today by calling (405) 239-7046.