Got Involved in a Single Car Accident in Oklahoma City?

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Not all crashes involve multiple vehicles. In fact, Oklahoma Highway Safety Office data show that nearly 16,000 single-car accidents occur on state roads every year.

If you are a driver, passenger or pedestrian who has been injured in one of these serious crashes, you should seek legal help immediately. You have rights that must be protected.

Contact Burch, George & Germany, P.C. A lawyer from our firm can examine the facts in your case and provide a free consultation about the next steps you should take.

Who’s at Fault in a Single Car Accident?

The initial reaction after a single-vehicle crash is to blame the person at the wheel. This judgment often is too hasty. The driver in a single-car accident may actually be the victim of:

• Automotive defects – Faulty tires and other automotive parts can cause serious accidents, including rollovers. Also, defects in child safety seats, airbags, seat belts and other equipment can worsen the injuries suffered in a crash.
• Faulty roads – Government agencies that build and maintain roads in Oklahoma have a duty to ensure they are safe. Unfortunately, they often fail to fulfill that duty.
• Road work – Work zones are dangerous for motorists and crew members if the zone lacks proper warning signs and traffic control barriers.

A lawyer’s investigation of a single-car accident should closely examine these possible factors in a wreck. If any of these factors contributed to the accident, proper legal action must be taken.

Are You a Passenger or Pedestrian Injured in a Single Car Crash?

Drivers are not the only ones harmed in single-car accidents in Oklahoma. Passengers and pedestrians can be injured or killed as well.

In fact, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study found that fatal, “run-off-road” crashes are more likely to occur in cars with two or more occupants. According to the NHTSA, these crashes often are caused by:

• Speeding
• Sleepiness (fatigued or drowsy driving)
• Inattentiveness (distracted driving)
• Alcohol use (drunk accidents)
• Over-correction or crash-avoidance maneuvers

If you are a passenger or pedestrian who has been injured by a driver who engaged in this type of careless (if not reckless) driving, you may have the right to pursue a legal claim. You could seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and more.

Can You Recover from a Single Car Accident Insurance?

You may be in a position where you were injured in a single-car crash in which a friend was the driver. So, you hesitate to pursue a claim for compensation.

At Burch, George & Germany, P.C., we remind victims and their families that they are not seeking funds from the driver. Instead, they are seeking compensation from the insurance company.

However, dealing with insurance companies can be difficult. This is why an Oklahoma lawyer with experience in negotiating settlements or facing insurers in court can play a critical role in your case.

The auto insurance coverage you may turn to after a single-car crash includes:

• The driver’s liability insurance – Oklahoma drivers are required to carry insurance that pays for any bodily injury and property damage they cause. For bodily injury, the minimum amounts they must carry, or policy limits, are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (if two or more people are injured). This is the insurance coverage you would turn to if you were injured as a passenger or pedestrian in a single-car crash.
  
• Your own uninsured motorist / underinsured coverage (UM/UIM) – Insurers must offer this coverage to Oklahoma drivers in the same minimum limits as above. You can reject it in writing. If you have not rejected it, your insurer should cover you if you are injured in a single car accidents Oklahoma caused by a driver with no insurance (UM) or with insurance that doesn’t fully cover your losses (UIM). You should be covered if you are injured as a car passenger. You should also be covered if you are hit by a car while walking or biking.

You may have bought other optional coverage that can protect you after a single-car crash – regardless of who was at fault. Collision coverage can pay for damage to your car if you hit a tree or object. Personal injury protection (PIP) can cover your medical bills and lost income.

Our Single Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Single Car Accident Oklahoma Victims

Even when dealing with your own insurance company after a single-car crash, issues can arise. Insurers may be reluctant to pay a valid claim or act in bad faith.

However, a lawyer from Burch, George & Germany, P.C., will stand up for you. We will pursue every source of available compensation. To find out more, simply contact us today by phone or online. We serve clients throughout Oklahoma.

For More Information:

• Factors Related to Single-Vehicle Run-Off-Road Crashes, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Factors Related to Fatal Single-Vehicle Run-Off-Road Crashes, NHTSA
• Statewide Crashes, Oklahoma Highway Safety