Broken Arrow Hit and Run Accident Lawyer

Hit and Run Accident Lawyer Broken Arrow, OK

If someone hit you and fled the scene, you’re dealing with injuries and unanswered questions. Who was that driver? Will they ever be found? How will you pay your medical bills if the person responsible has vanished?

Hit and run accidents leave victims feeling helpless. The driver who caused your injuries chose to flee rather than face consequences. That decision compounds the harm they caused. But disappearing from the scene doesn’t mean disappearing from accountability.

Wandres Law has nearly 20 years of experience representing injured Oklahomans in complex auto accident cases. Our attorneys have helped clients recover millions of dollars throughout the Tulsa metro area, including cases where the at-fault driver initially fled. We know how to track down hit and run drivers, work with law enforcement, and pursue recovery through every available source when the driver remains unidentified.

If a hit and run driver left you injured and searching for answers, our Broken Arrow, OK car accident lawyer can help you find them.

Why Choose Wandres Law for Hit and Run Accident Cases in Broken Arrow, OK?

Aggressive Investigation to Identify Fleeing Drivers

Many hit and run drivers are eventually identified. Surveillance cameras capture license plates. Witnesses note vehicle descriptions. Debris at the scene matches a specific make and model. Body shops report suspicious damage repairs. We work alongside law enforcement and conduct our own investigation to identify the driver who hit you.

Firm Partner Patrick Wandres has represented injured plaintiffs in Oklahoma since 2006. He understands how to gather evidence in hit and run cases, coordinate with police investigators, and pursue claims once the driver is identified. When drivers remain unknown, Patrick knows how to maximize recovery through uninsured motorist coverage and other available sources.

Patrick holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating for legal ability and ethics. He has been named a Super Lawyer in personal injury for 12 consecutive years and recognized as a Top 100 Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers every year since 2012.

Proven Track Record in Auto Accident Cases

Our firm has secured significant recoveries for clients injured in car accidents in Broken Arrow and throughout Oklahoma. We obtained $750,000 in a motor vehicle collision case and $600,000 for a client who suffered rib fractures and neck strain. Another collision involving neck and back strain settled for $225,000. We bring the same commitment to hit and run cases, whether the driver is identified or not.

Multiple Paths to Recovery

Hit and run cases require exploring every avenue for compensation. If the driver is found, we pursue their liability insurance. If they’re uninsured or underinsured, your own policy may provide coverage. If the driver remains unidentified, uninsured motorist coverage becomes your primary source of recovery. We analyze all available policies and pursue maximum compensation from each.

No Fee Unless We Recover

We take hit and run cases on contingency. No retainers. No hourly charges. You pay nothing unless we obtain compensation for you.

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“Patrick took our case and the outcome was much more than we expected. He took care of every detail and in a very timely manner. He stayed on top of events and kept us informed. He’s very professional and understands the emotional toil the case can take. We knew from the start that we were in good hands. We are very Blessed to have Patrick as our attorney.” — Eva Isam

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Hit and Run Accident Cases We Handle in Broken Arrow

Hit and run crashes occur in various circumstances, from parking lot fender benders to high-speed collisions on major roadways. The common thread is a driver who flees rather than stopping to exchange information and render aid. Our firm handles all types of hit and run cases throughout the Broken Arrow area.

• Intersection Hit and Runs. A driver runs a red light or stop sign, strikes your vehicle, and speeds away before you can react. These crashes often happen quickly, leaving victims disoriented and unable to get a license plate. Traffic cameras and nearby business surveillance may capture the fleeing vehicle.
• Rear-End Hit and Runs. A driver slams into the back of your car at a stoplight or in traffic, then reverses and drives around you before fleeing. These crashes cause whiplash, herniated discs, and other injuries. Understanding rear-end collision liability helps build your case once the driver is identified.
• Sideswipe Hit and Runs. A driver changing lanes strikes the side of your vehicle and continues driving without stopping. These crashes may seem minor but can cause loss of control, secondary collisions, and significant injuries. Paint transfer and debris can help identify the fleeing vehicle’s make and color.
• Parking Lot Hit and Runs. You return to your parked car and find damage with no note, no contact information, nothing. While these cases often involve only property damage, some result in injuries to occupants or pedestrians. Parking lot cameras frequently capture these incidents. Parking lot accidents are more common than many people realize.
• Pedestrian Hit and Runs. A driver strikes a pedestrian crossing the street and flees, leaving the victim injured in the roadway. These crashes cause catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and spinal cord damage. Hit and run pedestrian accidents often involve impaired drivers attempting to avoid DUI charges.
• Cyclist Hit and Runs. A driver clips a bicycle rider and continues without stopping. Cyclists have minimal protection and suffer severe injuries even in relatively low-speed collisions. Witnesses and surveillance footage become critical in identifying the fleeing driver.
• DUI-Related Hit and Runs. Drunk drivers flee accident scenes to avoid arrest and blood alcohol testing. If they’re found quickly enough, evidence of intoxication may still be available. DUI hit and runs can support claims for punitive damages beyond standard compensation.

Oklahoma Legal Requirements for Hit and Run Accident Claims

Oklahoma law imposes duties on drivers involved in accidents and provides remedies for hit and run victims. A Broken Arrow car accident attorney can help you navigate these requirements and pursue all available compensation.

Driver’s Duty to Stop

Under Oklahoma Statutes Title 47, Section 10-102, drivers involved in accidents resulting in injury or death must immediately stop at the scene or as close as safely possible. They must provide their name, address, vehicle registration, and insurance information to the other party and render reasonable assistance to anyone injured. Fleeing the scene of an injury accident is a felony in Oklahoma.

For accidents involving only property damage, Title 47, Section 10-104 requires drivers to stop and provide contact and insurance information. Failing to do so is a misdemeanor. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety maintains records of reported hit and run incidents.

Statute of Limitations

You have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit under Oklahoma Statutes Title 12, Section 95. This deadline applies whether or not the hit and run driver has been identified. Acting quickly preserves evidence and maximizes the chance of identifying the fleeing driver.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

When a hit and run driver cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist coverage becomes the primary source of recovery. Oklahoma law requires insurers to offer UM coverage, though drivers can reject it in writing. Under Title 36, Section 3636, UM coverage applies to accidents caused by unidentified drivers who leave the scene.

Filing a UM claim against your own insurer requires meeting specific conditions. Many policies require physical contact between your vehicle and the hit and run vehicle, though some courts have interpreted this requirement narrowly. We review your policy carefully and fight for coverage.

Reporting Requirements

Reporting the hit and run to police immediately creates an official record and triggers investigation. Oklahoma law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $300. A police report documents the incident, preserves witness information, and may help identify the fleeing driver through subsequent investigation.

What Damages Are Recoverable in Broken Arrow Hit and Run Accident Cases?

Hit and run victims deserve full compensation regardless of whether the driver is identified. Oklahoma law allows recovery through multiple channels.

Economic Damages

These cover your financial losses: emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and future treatment needs. Lost wages include income missed during recovery and reduced earning capacity if injuries prevent returning to your previous work. Property damage covers vehicle repair or replacement and damaged personal belongings.

Hit and run drivers often flee because they’re impaired, uninsured, or driving stolen vehicles. The crashes they cause are frequently severe because they make no attempt to brake or avoid impact. Injuries requiring long-term medical care are common.

Non-Economic Damages

These compensate for harm without dollar figures: physical pain, emotional trauma, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Hit and run victims often experience anger, frustration, and anxiety beyond the physical injuries. The knowledge that someone hurt you and ran away adds psychological harm to physical damage.

Oklahoma does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases. The value depends on injury severity, duration of symptoms, and impact on your daily life.

Punitive Damages

If the hit and run driver is identified and their conduct was particularly egregious, such as fleeing while intoxicated, punitive damages may be available. These damages punish reckless behavior and deter others from similar conduct. Proving entitlement requires clear and convincing evidence of willful misconduct. The Oklahoma Court System has upheld punitive awards in cases involving drunk driving and fleeing the scene.

Recovery Sources

Compensation in hit and run cases may come from multiple sources: the at-fault driver’s liability insurance if identified, your uninsured motorist coverage if the driver is unknown or uninsured, your underinsured motorist coverage if the driver’s policy limits are inadequate, and potentially your medical payments coverage for immediate expenses regardless of fault. We identify and pursue all available policies to maximize your settlement.

Contact Wandres Law

Hit and run drivers think they can escape responsibility. They’re wrong. Whether we track them down or pursue recovery through your own insurance, we fight for every dollar you deserve.

Our Broken Arrow hit and run accident attorneys offer free consultations to review your case and explain your options. We handle these cases on contingency. No upfront costs. No fee unless we recover compensation for you.

Contact us today to discuss your hit and run accident case with a car accident lawyer in Broken Arrow.