Oklahoma City Drunk Driving Truck Crash Lawyer
When truck drivers cause crashes while intoxicated in Oklahoma City, victims face catastrophic injuries. We hold both drivers and trucking companies liable.
If you've been injured in a truck accident caused by a drunk driver in Oklahoma City, you're dealing with mounting medical bills, lost wages, and an uncertain future, and need an advocate who will fight just as hard for you.
At the Law Firm for Truck Safety, we help people injured in drunk driving truck accidents in Oklahoma City and the families of those who suffered fatal injuries from truck driver negligence. Our attorneys can help hold the trucker, their employer, and other responsible parties accountable. We will work to pursue compensation that reflects all the ways you and your family have been harmed.
Drunk Truck Drivers Are Negligent
Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction times, and reduces coordination, making it dangerous for anyone to drive under the influence. When it comes to commercial truck drivers, the dangers are magnified.
According to federal regulations, which Oklahoma has adopted, truck drivers holding commercial licenses are legally over the limit when their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .04, or half the allowable limit for drivers with standard licenses. Violating the legal alcohol limit is negligent. If our Oklahoma City attorney can prove the truck driver’s BAC exceeded .04, they can then establish that the driver was legally impaired and, therefore, negligent when the crash occurred.
However, no amount of alcohol in a truck driver’s system is acceptable, and federal regulations make it illegal for a truck driver to drink any alcohol within 4 hours of driving a commercial motor vehicle, regardless of blood alcohol level.
The driver’s employer or the firm that hired the driver is liable for the damage they caused. Sometimes other drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and even local governments also bear some responsibility. Depending on the circumstances, the bar or restaurant that served alcohol to the trucker can also be liable too.
Obtaining Compensation for the Crash
When you or a loved one is seriously injured or killed in a truck accident, you and your family should be compensated for all of your losses. The compensation you receive from a legal claim is called damagesIn a civil lawsuit, money designed to compensate an injured person. This includes economic damages (measurable financial loss like medical expenses) and non-economic damages (categories like pain and suffering or loss of love.). There are three types of damages available in personal injuryLegal term for an injury to the body, mind, or psyche, as opposed to an injury to property. cases.
Economic Damages
Your economic damages are your out-of-pocket expenses and future losses that can be calculated with reasonable certainty. Economic damages include the cost of medical treatment, incidental expenses, property damage, and lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
The greatest losses in a catastrophic truck accident are often hard to measure. An injury or sudden loss of a loved one takes a toll on your lifestyle, quality of life, and future plans. Losses of this kind are called non-economic damages. You can claim non-economic damages for things like scarring, disfigurement, disability, pain and suffering, the lasting psychological impact of your crash, and more. In some cases, family members may be entitled to non-economic damages for the loss of your companionship.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damagesDamages designed to punish a defendant or set an example (in some states, called exemplary damages). are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar conduct, but they must be awarded by a jury.
In Oklahoma, drunk driving truck accidents may qualify for punitive damages under Oklahoma Statute §23-9.1, which allows you to seek punitive damages when someone acted recklessly without regard for others or intentionally and with malice.
While the majority of truck crash lawsuits end up settling, our attorneys have extensive trial experience and are fully prepared to take your case to a jury trial to pursue punitive damages when it's in your best interest to do so. This trial readiness also strengthens our negotiating position because insurance companies and trucking firms know we're not afraid to go to court, which often leads to more favorable settlement offers.
Acting Quickly To Preserve Your Rights
It is important to get legal help right away when you are injured in an accident involving an impaired trucker. The insurance companies representing those involved in your crash may approach you soon after the accident with a proposal to accept cash in exchange for a promise not to sue.
These offers are usually a small fraction of the actual value of your claim. It is critical that you do not accept an offer or sign anything before speaking with an Oklahoma City attorney experienced in handling truck wrecks caused by impaired driving.
A legal professional will analyze your injuries and their impact and determine the fair value of your claim. They will manage communication with the other parties and ensure that everyone negotiates in good faith. When negotiations fail to yield a fair offer, our attorneys are prepared to advocate for you in court.
Contact Our Oklahoma City Team if You Were in a Crash With an Impaired Truck Driver
You deserve a lawyer who is familiar with drunk driving truck accidents in Oklahoma City if you have been injured or lost a loved one in a truck wreck. Our Oklahoma City team is familiar with the challenges of suing transportation companies.
We have the experience to help you seek the compensation you may need to move forward after a devastating accident. If you want to hold an impaired truck driver and their employer accountable, contact us today to discuss your case.
