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What Are My Options If I’m Hit by an Uninsured Motorist?

The state of Oklahoma mandates that its drivers carry liability insurance in the event of a car accident. This type of insurance is used to pay for damages to vehicles, as well as injuries, that result from a collision. Despite the requirement, there are many drivers in Oklahoma that do not carry liability insurance. Not only are these drivers in violation of the law, but in the event that you are involved in a crash with one of them, recovering the compensation that you need to pay for your losses could prove difficult. Here are some options if you are hit by an uninsured motorist:

File a Claim Under Your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Policy

You are not required to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under the law. However, if you do carry this type of coverage–often referred to just as UM/UIM coverage–it can help to pay for injuries suffered by you and members of your vehicle in the event of a crash.

File a Claim Under Your Collision Coverage

While UM/UIM coverage is used to pay for the costs of physical injuries suffered, it does not pay for damage to a car; for this type of coverage, you will need to turn to your own insurance policy’s collision coverage. Like UM/UIM coverage, this coverage type is not required in Oklahoma.

File a Lawsuit Against the Uninsured Driver

Another, but less common, option that you have is to file a lawsuit against the uninsured driver. While your lawsuit may be successful in proving negligence and holding the driver liable for harm that you have suffered, you may be unsuccessful in actually recovering compensation if the other driver does not have the money to pay your claim. This is very possible, as a lack of funds may be why the driver failed to purchase car insurance in the first place.

Contact Our Law Firm for Help Following a Crash with an Uninsured Driver

Being involved in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have insurance, or who doesn’t have enough insurance to pay your claim, can be very unsettling. If you have been involved in a crash with an uninsured driver and you have questions about how to recover compensation for the losses you have suffered, please contact our law firm today. We can help you to negotiate a fair settlement, and even file a lawsuit if need be. You can schedule your free consultation with our Oklahoma car accident law firm by contacting us online or by phone.

 

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