An Oklahoma car accident lawyer notes that a woman and her granddaughter were killed in a hit-and-run accident just outside their home. The accident, which also caused injuries to two other people, remains under investigation. In addition to criminal charges, people who drive recklessly may be liable to the others they harm, and victims of negligence, as well as the families of those killed, may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of Oklahoma auto accident attorneys.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Oklahoma car accident lawyer who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Report: One-Year-Old Baby Among The Victims
Authorities in Oklahoma continue to search for the driver who was allegedly responsible for a hit-and-run accident that claimed two lives and left two other people with injuries. KSWO News reports that the accident occurred when the driver struck a woman who was walking outside of her Mangum home with her infant granddaughter. Tragically, the collision caused fatal injuries to both individuals. Two people who were riding in the driver’s vehicle also sustained injuries that were serious enough to merit hospitalization.
The driver reportedly left the scene on foot immediately after the crash occurred. Local police are still searching for him and investigating the circumstances of the accident. Authorities know that the driver struck two other cars that were parked on the street just before he hit the woman and the one-year-old infant, but they have not yet determined why any of these collisions occurred, the website reported.
Criminal Liability for Reckless Driving is Different than Civil Liability
Regardless of the outcome of any criminal action against the driver, the determination of the criminal court is different than any civil case that may be brought against the driver. In a criminal matter, a person is accused of a crime and, if convicted, can be sentenced to jail or probation. Sometimes monetary fines and restitution are imposed on the guilty party.
However, the outcome of a criminal matter is often not relevant to a civil matter that could be brought against the person committing the wrongful act. A person who drives recklessly, commits a crime, but if that person also injures or kills another person while driving carelessly, he or she may face civil liability in addition to criminal charges.
In a civil case, a person’s actions are not judged on whether they were illegal, but instead on whether they constituted negligence, reckless or malicious behavior, or other fault. If those actions are found to constitute fault, and if those actions caused injury to another person, then the wrongful actor may be held liable to the injured party for the payment of money to compensate for the injuries and other damages caused.
How an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Drivers or passengers who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from their injuries, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
If the actions causing injury are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Oklahoma. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
