Tulsa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Tulsa, OK

Some areas of Tulsa are known to be hazardous for drivers, such as the Memorial Drive corridor and Broken Arrow Expressway, but any road is dangerous when drivers are under the influence of alcohol. Despite this being illegal, drunk driving is a commonly cited cause of crashes in Tulsa and throughout Oklahoma each year. If you are hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver, a Tulsa drunk driving accident lawyer can help you pursue accountability.

Representing Injured Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Tulsa, OK

The Tulsa car accident lawyers at Fulmer Sill empower injured people in their recovery efforts after they have been harmed by the negligence or misconduct of others. We have extensive experience helping injured accident victims prove liability and recover compensation for their losses. In every case we accept, our goal is to help our client navigate their proceedings efficiently and recover as much compensation as state law allows for their damages.

Drunk driving is a pervasive issue throughout the US, and it can be more damaging than many drivers realize. The most recent accident data for driving under the influence (DUI) from Oklahoma Public Safety is from 2021, and that year, there were 2,869 drunk driving accidents recorded statewide. Of these accidents, 175 were fatal, 172 resulted in serious injuries, and 469 resulted in minor injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2022, there were 42,514 traffic accident fatalities nationwide, and 32% of these fatalities resulted from alcohol-related crashes. Also in 2022, the NHTSA reported that Oklahoma had a fatal alcohol-related accident rate of .42 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, on par with the national fatality rate for alcohol-related accidents that year.

Oklahoma follows a fault-based system for resolving vehicle accident cases, and while most accidents involving multiple drivers in the Tulsa area result from negligence, they can also result from illegal misconduct like drunk driving. The at-fault driver in such a case not only faces civil liability for the damages they cause to others, but also criminal prosecution, and their penalties can increase significantly if they have caused serious bodily harm or death.

Pursuing Compensation for a Drunk Driving Accident in Tulsa

After another driver has injured you in an accident in Tulsa, you must establish liability for the crash before you can claim compensation for your damages. Fault may seem obvious if you were injured by a drunk driver, but you must still gather evidence to formally establish liability, and you must also prove the full extent of the damages you suffered from the accident. A Tulsa drunk driving accident lawyer can gather this evidence to build the foundation of your case.

The state will prosecute the defendant for breaking Oklahoma DUI laws, but this criminal case does not seek compensation for the victims of the defendant’s damaging actions. Recovering compensation for a vehicle accident in Oklahoma usually begins with an auto insurance claim. Every driver in the state is required to have auto insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements for bodily injury and property damage liability.

Insurance company representatives will typically do everything they can to avoid paying out settlements for injury claims, sometimes engaging in bad faith to take advantage of injured claimants. However, an insurance company is more likely to treat you fairly and offer a reasonable settlement if they see that you have legal representation. A Tulsa drunk driving accident attorney can negotiate a fair settlement offer for you.

An injured drunk driving accident victim may need to file a personal injury claim against the drunk driver to recover compensation. These accidents often result in severe injuries, some of which result in permanent disabilities. A personal injury plaintiff in Oklahoma has the right to claim compensation for any economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s actions, and your attorney can calculate the full potential value of your claim.

Potential Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident Case

The goal of a personal injury case is for the injured plaintiff to secure compensation for the losses they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. In most personal injury cases pertaining to drunk driving accidents, injured plaintiffs have the right to claim compensation for: 

• Vehicle repair costs: The plaintiff can also seek compensation for other property damage the defendant caused, such as the value of any personal property lost in the accident.
• Medical expenses: An injured plaintiff can claim compensation for the cost of any medical care they require to recover from their injury. This can include both immediate and future medical expenses if they suffered serious injuries that require ongoing care.
• Lost income: When a plaintiff cannot work while they recover, they have the right to claim compensation for the income lost during this time. Similarly, they can claim compensation for lost future earning capacity if they have been permanently disabled by their injuries and cannot return to work.
• Pain and suffering: A personal injury plaintiff can claim compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress they suffered from the accident. Your Tulsa drunk driving accident lawyer can help you determine an appropriate amount to claim from the defendant in your case. Generally, more serious injuries lead to greater pain and suffering compensation.

Plaintiffs in drunk driving accident cases can also recover punitive damages at the court’s discretion. As the name suggests, punitive damages are intended to punish illegal misconduct or egregious negligence, not to repay a loss. Your attorney can explain all factors that could potentially influence your total recovery.

What to Expect From Your Tulsa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

The initial aftermath of a drunk driving accident is often traumatic, and you need to know what to do first to have a better chance of recovering appropriate compensation for your damages. Once you have established fault for the accident and received medical treatment for your injuries, your Tulsa drunk driving accident lawyer can determine the optimal path for you to recover compensation.

Our team excels at resolving complex injury claims in Tulsa, and we know how to help our clients overcome the various legal challenges they are likely to encounter following their drunk driving accidents. You have a short time to pursue compensation for your damages, so reach out to the team at Fulmer Sill at your first opportunity to learn more about the legal services we offer to our clients in Tulsa.

FAQs About Tulsa, OK Drunk Driving Accident Laws

What Are the Penalties for DUI in Tulsa?

The penalties for DUI in Tulsa include driver’s license suspension, fines, and jail time in most cases. Penalties increase automatically if the defendant has a record of past DUI convictions, if they were arrested with an especially high blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) percentage, or if they caused an accident resulting in serious bodily injury or death. DUI accidents resulting in injuries often lead to felony charges for the at-fault driver.

Is Tulsa a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

No, Tulsa is not a no-fault state for car accidents. All accidents that involve multiple drivers are resolved on a fault basis, meaning whoever caused the accident is liable for the resulting damages. Proving fault for an accident is a crucial first step in recovering compensation for any vehicle accident caused by another driver. A Tulsa car accident lawyer can gather and preserve evidence that their client needs to establish liability.

What Compensation Can I Claim for a Drunk Driving Accident in Tulsa?

The compensation you can claim for a drunk driving accident in Tulsa depends on the severity of the accident and the scope of damages you suffered. A Tulsa drunk driving accident lawyer can calculate claimable economic losses like vehicle repair costs, medical bills, and lost wages, and they will also assist you in determining suitable pain and suffering compensation to claim from the defendant.

Why Should I Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Tulsa?

You should hire a drunk driving accident lawyer in Tulsa because your case will likely be more difficult to resolve than you initially expect. A skilled local attorney will know how to help you prove liability for the accident, what damages you are eligible to claim, and the optimal way for you to recover compensation. You are significantly more likely to reach a favorable outcome in your case with a skilled attorney representing you.

What Are Attorneys’ Fees for a Tulsa Drunk Driving Accident Attorney?

Attorneys’ fees for a Tulsa drunk driving accident attorney depend on the attorney’s billing policy. Fulmer Sill accepts personal injury cases in Tulsa on a contingency fee basis, meaning we will only charge our client a fee after we have secured compensation on their behalf. If, for any reason, our team is unable to obtain a recovery for you, there is no fee.

Contact A Tulsa, OK Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today

The attorneys at Fulmer Sill can provide responsive, results-driven legal counsel in the aftermath of a drunk driving accident in Tulsa. The state may prosecute the defendant for breaking the law, but you need to hire a drunk driving accident lawyer to help you claim compensation for your damages. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Tulsa drunk driving accident lawyer. We look forward to handling your case.