Oklahoma Injury Lawyers Protecting Victims of Drunk Drivers

Experienced attorneys assisting victims of drunk driver accidents in Oklahoma City

Motor vehicle accidents caused by drunk driving are often devastating accidents. And they are tragic because they could be so easily prevented. Drunk driver accidents can cause serious and long-lasting physical, emotional and financial damages to victims. At Cunningham & Mears, our lawyers are dedicated to guiding you through the worst of times to help you find a new beginning. If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, we work hard to get the compensation you need so you can focus on recovering.

Drunk driving in Oklahoma

Driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs or alcohol, or driving while intoxicated (DWI), is illegal. In Oklahoma, drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater is a type A misdemeanor. A second DUI is considered a felony. When drivers have a BAC of .06 to .07, they may be guilty of a lesser charge of reckless driving. Under Oklahoma’s zero tolerance law, drivers under age 21 may be charged with drunk driving even if their BAC is under .06.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 10,497 people died in the United States in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes in 2016, which was up 1.7% from 10,320 in 2015. Alcohol-impaired crashes accounted for 28% of all traffic fatalities in 2016. The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reports that there were 3,502 alcohol-related traffic crashes and 180 drunk driving deaths in 2017. The CDC reports that about one in three traffic crashes in the U.S. involves a drunk driver. In Oklahoma, the death rate for alcohol-related crashes is 9.3 for men while the national average is 5.2. For women the rate is 1.5 nationally and 1.9 in Oklahoma. The death rate for alcohol-related crashes in Oklahoma is startling and is becoming a public health concern.

Drugged driving accident injuries in Oklahoma

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that drug-related fatal crashes in Oklahoma have increased by 120% in the past two years. In 2016, 134 people died in drug-related traffic accidents in Oklahoma, which is about 20% of the total traffic deaths for the year and up from 85 fatalities in 2015 and 63 in 2014. Drugged driving is beginning to overtake drunk driving as a cause of fatal traffic accidents. (KFOR)

Serious injuries caused by drunk or drugged drivers

In addition to wrongful death, drunk driving accidents frequently result in catastrophic injuries to the parties involved, such as:

• Brain injury
• Neck injury
• Back injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Paralysis
• Amputations and loss of limbs

Our attorneys are dedicated to helping you obtain fair compensation for your injuries including emergency care, rehabilitation and long-term care and medical treatment. If your loved one was killed in the crash, we can help you make a claim for funeral and burial expenses as well.

Why you want a lawyer if you are hurt because of a drunk driver

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 sue that driver for personal injury if he or she caused an accident resulting in your injuries. 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.

If we are successful in proving the negligence of the drunk or drugged driver, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, your pain and suffering and punitive damages where they would be appropriate. We are here to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

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 treatment, to dealing with insurance adjusters to suing 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. To learn more about our services and proven results, contact us or call 405-232-1212 today for a free initial consultation.