When an intoxicated driver decides to operate his/her vehicle, he/she commits a criminal offense and places every other motorist on the road at risk of injury or death, which is clearly considered negligent. Not only is drunk driving a serious crime punishable by jail time, fines, and license suspension, it is also one of the main causes of car accidents on the road. However, victims of these type of collisions are not compensated in criminal court, but rather in civil court through a personal injury lawsuit.
If you have suffered an injury caused by a drunk driver in Oklahoma, our Tulsa personal injury lawyers at Martin Jean & Jackson are ready to help you obtain the financial compensation and justice you and your family deserve. With more than a century of collective legal experience and over $500 million recovered on behalf of our clients, we understand what it takes to hold the at-fault party liable for their negligent actions and maximize the value of your award.
Every licensed driver has a legal obligation to exercise a duty of care and follow the traffic laws when sharing the road with other motorists. If a drunk driver causes a crash, the crime itself is considered strong evidence of negligence. While a conviction can only strengthen your personal injury case, it is not necessary to file a claim in civil court.
To win a personal injury lawsuit against a drunk driver, you must prove the following:
Remember, there are many other parties who could be liable for an accident. For example, if a bar, night club, or another type of vendor sells, delivers, or otherwise provides alcoholic beverages to a person—who is clearly intoxicated—and that individual causes a drunk driving accident, the vendor could also be held liable for the collision as well.
Additionally, if a drunk driver operates a commercial vehicle, a personal injury claim could also be filed against the driver’s employer. If an owner of a vehicle allows a drunk person to drive his/her car, he/she could be held liable for negligently entrusting the vehicle to that individual if it results in a crash.
Contact us and discuss your case with Martin Jean & Jackson today.
How Drunk Driving Injury Lawyers Help Victims
Drunk driving accidents typically result in two separate legal actions: criminal proceedings against the drunk driver and a civil action filed on behalf of the victim or victim’s surviving loved ones in the event of a wrongful death. While the prosecution works to hold a drunk driver criminally responsible for his or her behavior, your personal injury lawyer is there to help you recover and move forward with your life.
In the wake of a drunk driving accident, you are likely facing a number of new and unexpected hardships, from medical bills to lost wages to immense pain and suffering. Here at Martin Jean & Jackson, our goal is to help you recover compensation from the drunk driver’s insurance company for these and other costs you have incurred through no fault of your own. We believe that you shouldn’t have to simply deal with the financial, physical, and emotional consequences of another person’s poor decisions on your own; that is why we help our clients take on drunk drivers and their insurance providers. In some cases, we are even able to seek punitive damages for our clients, which can provide a much-needed sense of justice and help ensure that similar accidents do not happen to other people in the future.
Call (918) 623-4119 to Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Our Tulsa personal injury attorneys can investigate your case, collect evidence, negotiate with insurance adjusters, and hold all liable parties accountable for their negligence while you heal from your injuries. Without experienced legal help on your side, you could risk receiving an unfair settlement or being held liable for the accident. Do not hesitate to let us fight for you throughout the legal process.
“Martin Jean & Jackson Law Firm has the highest integrity when dealing with clients.”
- John A.
