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Fatal crash in Muskogee County

Our roadways tend to be a little more sparce than other parts of the state and country, especially during these times of increased telework. However, regardless of the number of vehicles on the road, there is always danger. Inattentive and distracted drivers are all around us, and at any point, they can cause an accident. This, unfortunately, appears to be the case in a recent fatal accident in Muskogee County.

The motor vehicle accident

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, on Jan. 8, a about 6:00 a.m., troopers arrived to the accident at the intersection of Highway 64 and Old Taft Road in Checotah, Oklahoma. OHP believes that a vehicle failed o stop at the intersection’s stop sign and impacted another small sedan. The car accident resulted in the death of a 29-year-old passenger and her unborn baby. No other injuries were reported, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact OHP.

After a motor vehicle accident

While the cause of the motor vehicle accident is still under investigation, from the alleged facts, it appears that the vehicle that ran the stop sign was likely negligent as they failed to yield. This means that the driver of the impacted vehicle has a personal injury claim against the other driver and their insurance. It also means that the family of the deceased woman has a wrongful death claim against that driver and their insurance.

Personal injury and wrongful death claims

Personal injury and wrongful death claims are both negligence lawsuits. In both, they are seeking compensation for another driver’s negligence. Essentially, the key difference between the two is that a personal injury lawsuit is brought by the person or persons directly injured by the other negligent driver, but a wrongful death lawsuit is brought by surviving family members. In both, the civil justice system holds negligent drivers to account for their actions and the injuries and death they caused.

Of course, for Tulsa, Oklahoma, residents affected by the negligence of another, the loss of a family member or serious injury can never truly be made right through litigation. After all, winning a wrongful death lawsuit will not bring our loved ones back. A successful personal injury lawsuit cannot unbreak our bones. However, our civil justice system does allow car accident victims some recourse, some way to try to move on after being affected by another’s negligence.

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