According to Oklahoma’s Own News 9, an Oklahoma City family is struggling to get by in the wake of a fatal hit-and-run boating accident. The accident happened last July 4 on Lake Eufaula when a boater reportedly crashed his boat into a vessel carrying members of the family and fled the scene.

The accident took the life of one man and resulted in serious injuries to his granddaughters, one of whom had to have rods inserted in her leg and learn how to walk again. The medical bills for the girls’ injuries have been mounting and have nearly reached $200,000. Meanwhile, the hit-and-run suspect, who turned himself in to Oklahoma City Highway Patrol (OHP) three days after the accident, is not facing charges.

“Nothing has been done to him; he can go back out to the lake again,” said the daughter of the man who was killed and mother of the girls who were injured. “He can hit another person; he can kill another person.”

The hit-and-run suspect did not have any boat insurance, which the OHP reported is not required in Oklahoma. The boat the man and his granddaughters were in did have liability insurance but no uninsured motorist coverage. The family has filed a lawsuit against the hit-and-run suspect, but according to their lawyer, the man does not have any assets to recover.

“I wish I could win the lottery or something just so I can at least pay the bills,” said the grandmother of the girls who were injured and ex-wife of the man who was killed. “I mean that would take a load off of them.”

What Should I Do if a Family Member is Killed in a Hit-and-Run Boating Accident?

As nationwide maritime trial lawyer Carolyn Latti explains in the video below, many times recreational boats are covered by insurance through the owner’s homeowner policy and/or an “umbrella” policy over and above their home’s coverage.

However, some boaters are not homeowners and do not bother to cover their boats with insurance in any other way. If you have had a loved one injured or killed in a recreational boating accident involving an uninsured boater, you and your family deserve the time and resources to deal with the devastation of your loss without being overwhelmed by hospital bills, lost income and a drawn out and complicated legal battle.

At Latti & Anderson LLP, you will have legal representation that you can trust to secure the justice you deserve and the compensation you and your family needs as you put the pieces of your life back together. Our nationwide maritime attorneys care about everyone they represent and never treat our clients or their families as if they are just another case. To schedule a free consultation, call us today.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Nationwide Maritime Attorneys