Were you injured in a car accident caused by a drunk driver in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? McIntyre Law can help explain your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (405) 917-5200 for a free consultation with an Oklahoma City DUI accident lawyer.
Our award-winning personal injury law firm has recovered more than $900 million for our clients, drawing on over 165 years of combined experience. We will make your case our priority if you hire us, and we won’t hesitate to take your claim to court if necessary.
How McIntyre Law Can Help After a DUI Accident in Oklahoma City, OK
DUI accidents might seem like straightforward personal injury claims on the surface. However, they can become more complicated when it comes to ensuring you are actually compensated in full for your injuries. The insurance companies involved in your case will still do whatever they can to protect their profits and pay as little as possible for your claim.
If you hire McIntyre Law, our Oklahoma City car accident lawyers will:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence tying the at-fault driver’s impairment to the collision
- Identify every liable party, including the drunk driver and any establishment that may have overserved them
- Calculate the full extent of your damages so no losses are overlooked
- Handle all communications with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Bring in accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to strengthen your case
- Negotiate aggressively for a settlement that reflects what your claim is actually worth
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial if the other side refuses to offer a fair deal
Call us today to schedule your free initial consultation with an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney. Our Oklahoma City, OK, legal team works on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid attorney’s fees if we recover money for you.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a DUI Accident in Oklahoma?
The drunk driver is the most obvious party you can take legal action against, but they may not be the only one. Oklahoma law opens the door for claims against other parties whose actions contributed to the crash.
Under Oklahoma’s dram shop laws, bars, restaurants, and other businesses that sell alcohol can be held civilly liable if they served a customer who was visibly intoxicated and that person later caused an accident. If there’s evidence that an establishment kept pouring drinks for the driver who hit you, our attorneys can file a claim against that business as well.
You also do not need the at-fault driver to be convicted of DUI before filing a civil lawsuit. Although a criminal charge or conviction may strengthen your case, a civil claim is separate from the criminal case and is subject to a lower burden of proof. You just need to show that the driver was impaired and that their impairment caused the accident.
What Damages Can I Recover After a DUI Accident in OKC?
There are two main categories of damages you can recover after a DUI accident: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover the financial losses tied directly to the accident. These include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages account for the personal toll the accident has taken on your life. These include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
In addition to these, Oklahoma law allows punitive damages in certain DUI cases. Unlike other forms of compensation, punitive damages are not meant to reimburse you for a specific loss. They exist to punish the drunk driver for acting with reckless disregard for the safety of everyone else on the road. However, punitive damages are not available in every case.
What Is Oklahoma’s Statute of Limitations for DUI Accident Claims?
Under Oklahoma law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Courts enforce this deadline strictly, so missing it almost always means losing your right to pursue compensation.
There are very limited exceptions to this rule, but they apply in rare circumstances. It is best to contact a DUI accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash so that important evidence can be preserved and your claim stays on track.
Contact Our Oklahoma City DUI Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation
A drunk driver’s decision to get behind the wheel should never be something you have to pay for. If you were involved in a DUI accident in Oklahoma City, McIntyre Law is here to help you fight back and recover maximum compensation.
Our Oklahoma City DUI accident lawyers are committed to helping DUI accident victims hold negligent drivers accountable and pursue the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and discuss your legal options.