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Oklahoma City Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers
Strong advocacy when an intoxicated or drugged driver crashes into your car in Oklahoma
Motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk driving are often devastating accidents. They are easily prevented. If you drink, don’t drive. Make alternate arrangements to get home. It’s not possible to drive defensively around a drunk driver because the sober driver doesn’t know where the drunk driver is going to go. Drunk driver accidents can cause serious and long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial damage to victims.
At Cunningham & Mears, our lawyers are dedicated to guiding you through the worst of times to help you find a new beginning. Our Oklahoma City drunk driving lawyers work to show the driver who struck your car or your loved one’s car was intoxicated. If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, we work hard to get the full compensation you need so you can focus on recovering and living your life to the fullest. In one illustrative case, we obtained $100,000.00 for a client whose original insurance carrier offer was just $12,500 even though the driver was charged with an aggravated DUI offense.
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How can we help?
- When is a driver in Oklahoma considered drunk?
- How dangerous is drunk driving?
- What types of injuries do alcohol and drug accidents cause in Oklahoma City?
- How do your OKC car accident lawyers fight for drunk driving accident victims?
- Who is liable for a drunk driving accident in Oklahoma City?
- Do you have an Oklahoma City drunk driving accident lawyer near me?
When is a driver in Oklahoma considered drunk?
Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol is illegal in all circumstances. In Oklahoma, drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater will be charged with a DUI offense. When drivers have a BAC of .06 to .07, they may be guilty of a charge of driving while impaired (DWI). Under Oklahoma’s zero tolerance law, drivers under age 21 may be charged with drunk driving even if their BAC is under .06. The NHTSA states that drivers with a .08 BAC have short-term memory loss, reduced concentration, difficulty controlling their speed, a reduced ability to process information, and impaired perceptions. Their muscle coordination is poor. It’s harder to detect dangers. Judgment and reason are harmed.
At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City drunk driving lawyers work with the police and the prosecution to show what the driver’s BAC was at the time of the accident. In many cases, if the defendant is found guilty of a DUI or a DWI, the insurance company will concede liability, and your case will revolve around your damage claim. But even if the driver has a lower BAC, it doesn’t mean you cannot get justice. Driving while impaired is a crime, and it can cause serious injuries in a crash.
How dangerous is drunk driving?
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that in 2022:
- 2,689 crashes were caused by drunk driving
- 175 people died in Oklahoma in drunk driving accidents; 15 of them were in Oklahoma City
- 172 people were seriously injured
- 469 people suffered some injuries
- 1,000+ accidents were related to drugged driving
- 257 people died in drug-related crashes
- 46 people sustained injuries
The death rate for drug and alcohol-related crashes in Oklahoma is a major public health concern.
What types of injuries do alcohol and drug-related accidents cause in Oklahoma City?
Drunk and drugged driving often causes serious and catastrophic injuries because most drunk drivers speed, drive while distracted, run red lights, drive in lanes with oncoming traffic, and drive recklessly. Tragically, many drunk driving accidents are fatal.
Some of the different types of injuries our personal injury lawyers handle include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic amputations and loss of limbs
- Burn injuries
- Fractures
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Shoulder, neck, and back injuries
- Loss of hearing or vision
- Nerve, ligament, muscle, and tissue damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
Our Oklahoma City drunk driving lawyers work with your physicians and our network of physicians to show what injuries you have, what treatments you’ll need, the cost of your medical care, and every way your injuries affect your ability to function and enjoy your life.
How do your OKC car accident lawyers fight for drunk driving accident victims?
Whether the other driver is charged with felony DUI, misdemeanor drunk driving, reckless driving, or another offense, an Oklahoma car accident lawyer at Cunningham & Mears can help you file a claim against that driver. A drunk driver does not need to be convicted or even tried in criminal court for you to recover compensation for your injuries if we can prove negligence.
Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you obtain just compensation for your injuries including emergency care, surgeries, hospitalizations, rehabilitation, psychological care, and long-term care and medical treatment. We also seek compensation from the driver for your physical pain, emotional suffering, lost income, lost benefits, property damage, and loss of quality of life.
If your loved one was killed in the crash, we file a claim for wrongful death damages which include funeral and burial expenses, the emotional anguish of the family members, loss of financial support, the loss of personal companionship and guidance, and the loss of consortium for a spouse.
In drunk driving cases, we may also seek punitive damages because there is no excuse for drinking and driving.
Who is liable for a drunk driving accident in Oklahoma City?
It’s not just the driver who may be liable. Employers are generally liable for the negligence of their employees. The owners of the vehicle may be liable.
In Oklahoma City, you can also file a Dram Shop claim (a personal injury claim) against anyone who sells or serves alcohol (such as a bar or a hotel) to someone who was noticeably intoxicated (or who has mental deficiencies) if the person served later caused your accident due to his/her intoxication.
Oklahoma’s Dram Shop law also applies to serving alcohol to anyone under 21 or anyone who has mental deficiencies.
Do you have an Oklahoma City drunk driving accident lawyer near me?
Cunningham & Mears has two offices located in Oklahoma City. Our drunk-driving lawyers meet clients at the following offices:
- 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102, Oklahoma City, located just a four minute drive from Penn Square Mall with plenty of car parking nearby.
- 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City, just a short walk from Resurrection Cemetery and off the Northwest Expressway.
There’s plenty of public transit and parking nearby. We make arrangements to meet clients who are too ill or immobile at your home or in the hospital. We also conduct video conferences by appointment.
We understand how anxious and concerned you are about your health and your ability to pay your bills. We have a strong record of insurance settlements and verdicts in personal injury and wrongful death cases.
Contact an Oklahoma City drunk driving accident attorney with proven results
At Cunningham & Mears, our lawyers guide you through all aspects of your accident claim, from finding the right medical providers and treatments to dealing with insurance adjusters and filing complaints against the drunk driver for personal injury or wrongful death. If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, we are here to fight hard for you. If a loved one was killed in an accident, our Oklahoma City drunk driving lawyers are here to fight hard for you. To learn more about our services and proven results, call us or complete our contact form today to schedule a free initial consultation.
