Drunk driving accidents come with an immense cost—billions of dollars, in fact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), crash-related fatalities cost the United States approximately $44 billion in medical and work-lost expenses in 2013 alone. In Oklahoma, crash-related fatalities that same year resulted in a loss of approximately $902 million in medical and work-lost costs. This does not even take into account the cost of non-fatal accidents.

While the costs associated with traffic fatalities are indisputably high, the true cost of drunk driving accidents for individuals is, arguably, immeasurable. This is because drunk driving crashes come not only with economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, but also with non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, trauma, and loss of companionship.

Many victims of drunk driving accidents are suddenly left facing massive medical costs; those without health insurance may struggle to shoulder these costs out of pocket. When these medical costs are compounded by an inability to return to work, victims and their families can face incredibly stressful financial challenges. All of this can greatly affect victims’ mental health and overall well-being. When a person dies due to a drunk driving accident, there are no words to convey the full, life-long costs surviving loved ones must contend with.

Drunk Driving Accident FAQ

• How does one drink affect a driver?
  Many drunk driving accidents happen because a driver completely underestimates just how much a single alcoholic drink can affect their driving abilities. You have probably seen signs that say something along the lines of “buzzed driving is drunk driving,” and it’s true. After having just one drink, a driver will experience worsened reaction times, poor motor control, lessened visual acuity, and difficulties with concentration. All of these side effects of intoxication increase the chances of causing a crash, and, therefore, can increase the drunk driver’s liability.
• Can you sue a bar that sold alcohol to someone who was drunk and crashed later?
  In some states, there are dram shop laws that extend the liability for a drunk driving accident to the party that intoxicated the driver who later caused a crash. Dram shop laws differ noticeably from state to state, but most disallow a bar, restaurant, or alcohol vendor from selling alcohol to someone who is visibly drunk and who is likely to drive shortly after the transaction. For example, if a convenience store clerk sees someone drive up to their store, display visible signs of intoxication, and attempt to buy alcohol, then the clerk should refuse to make that sale. If they do not and the driver crashes later, then liability could be split between the vendor and the drunk driver.
• Can you sue a drunk driver if you were their passenger?
  It is important to explore all of your legal options after being hurt in a drunk driving accident that was not your fault, whether you were another motorist, a pedestrian, or a passenger in the drunk driver’s car. If you were riding in a drunk driver’s car when they caused a crash, then you could have the opportunity to file a claim against their auto insurance policy. However, you should expect that your case will be challenged by the insurer through the defense of “assumption of risk.” Basically, the insurer will argue that you knew it was risky to get into the car of a drunk driver but still got in their car all the same and, therefore, you are entitled to no or fewer damages.
• Do you have to wait for a drunk driver to be convicted before suing them?
  No, you can prepare and begin your drunk driving accident claim against a drunk driver whenever you are ready. The criminal justice system and the civil court system are separate, so you can sue someone who caused a drunk driving accident if they have not been convicted or even charged for the crime yet. The evidence that the state uses to convict a drunk driver could prove useful in your claim, though. Our attorneys can advise you regarding the right time to file a claim based on the available evidence and what the state has done yet to prosecute the drunk driver.
• Should you always call the cops when hit by a drunk driver?
  Yes, it is always the right idea to call the police after being hit by a drunk driver. It is illegal in all states to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of at least 0.08 or with any BAC level above 0.00 that causes the driver to become unsafe on the road. Only law enforcement officials can remove a drunk driver from the road, ensuring they do not cause any more harm. Also, calling the police will add legitimacy and a new source of evidence like police records to your claim later.
• Is impaired driving treated the same as drunk driving?
  Taking certain prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and illegal narcotics causes a driver to become impaired. Although the criminal statutes against impaired driving can look quite different from intoxicated driving laws, the end result is often seen and treated the same: impaired driving is just as dangerous as intoxicated driving. If you were hit by someone who you believe was impaired by a substance, then let our attorneys know, so we can better understand what we should be looking for while investigating your claim.