Ylla | Gosney represents victims of car accidents caused by drivers on illegal drugs in Tuttle, Oklahoma. Drug-impaired driving often refers to marijuana, methamphetamine, fentanyl, opioids, heroin, and other illegal substances. These accidents tend to result in serious damage due to the high level of reckless driving committed by drivers under the influence of illegal drugs.
If you are injured by an impaired driver, you should not have to suffer financial and physical losses due to their poor decisions. Protect yourself by taking legal action by contacting Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Caused by Drivers on Illegal Drugs?
If you find yourself involved in a car accident with a driver on illegal drugs in Tuttle, you may face life-altering injuries, impacting your health and financial security for the foreseeable future. This is, unfortunately, the frightening reality most car accident victims don’t realize they’ll be faced with after a horrific car accident.
But that’s where Ylla | Gosney can help. Our firm specializes in helping you get your life back on track after being injured by another driver. We do this by conducting a thorough investigation of your incident, connecting you to immediate medical resources, protecting you from liability, and fully recovering compensation for the following damages:
- Special Damages: medical bills, ongoing treatment, costs that accumulate when you’re unable to work, like rent or mortgage payments
- General Damages: these are non-economic hardships like pain and suffering, anxiety, depression, mental trauma
- Wrongful Death Damages: these damages may be sought by a spouse or close relative for funeral arrangements, burial expenses, and medical treatment before a loved one’s death
- Punitive Damages: these damages are rare, but if the driver engaged in reckless driving with the intention of hurting you, then you could sue for punitive damages. A DWI (in most cases) would qualify you for punitive damages.
How the Law Protects Victims Injured by Drivers on Illegal Drugs in Tuttle
In Oklahoma, DUI laws are referred to as DWI or APC (Actual Physical Control). These laws are strict and come with significant penalties. Drivers, as well as passengers have right to sue for damages if they’re injured in a car accident with a drunk driver. A driver is deemed to have violated Oklahoma’s DUI laws if:
- The driver has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more at the time of a test of a person’s blood or breath within two hours after the arrest of the driver, as defined in 47 O.S.756.
- The driver has any amount of a Schedule I chemical or controlled substance in their blood, saliva, urine, or bodily fluid within two hours of a person’s arrest, as defined in 63 O.S. 2-204.
- The driver is under the influence of any intoxicating substance other than alcohol which may render such person incapable of safely driving or operationg a motor vehicle
- Driving with a blood alcohol level above the legal limit of:
- .08% for non-commercial vehicles
- .01% for non-commercial drivers under the age of 21
- .04% for commercial vehicles
- .04% for Uber, Lyft, and Taxi drivers
Drunk driving accidents can be traumatizing accidents. Unfortunately, insurance companies will still try to convince victims that their damages and injuries are minor. At Ylla | Gosney, we fight for the drunk driving victims in Oklahoma City and uphold their rights to compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation and assessment of your case.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
If you only suffered minor scrapes or bruises from a car accident (which is unlikely), you may not need a lawyer. However, you should contact an attorney after a car accident if:
- There were serious injuries: You will need compensation to cover your current and future medical bills if you’ve suffered serious injuries. An attorney can ensure both.
- Wrongful death: If a loved one has passed away due to the accident, you will need compensation for funeral expenses and damages related to the untimely loss.
- Fault: If you are blamed for the accident, but are not at fault, an attorney can protect and assign liability to the at-fault parties. Also, an attorney can reduce liability if you are liable to some extent.
- Multiple parties involved: Multiple parties make cases complex. An attorney can manage your case while protecting your best interests and right to compensation from all liable parties.
- False police report: If a police report places blame on you, and you disagree, an attorney will gather evidence to support your claim.
How Are Illegal Drugs Detected?
In Oklahoma, a police officer needs probable cause to initiate a drug test. This could be reckless driving, ignoring traffic laws, or causing an accident. If an officer suspects a driver is under the influence of illegal drugs, they can submit for the following tests:
- Blood tests: the most accurate form of testing can provide exact levels of illegal substances in the bloodstream, revealing drugs used in the past hours or even days.
- Urine tests: a slower form of detection, but can detect drugs used from 30+ days. This is commonly used in Oklahoma DUI cases and less as a roadside test.
- Saliva/Oral Fluid: a swab inside the mouth can detect THC within 24-72 hours of drug use. Not commonly used, but officers can request it if necessary.
- Breath test: the primary measurement for blood alcohol measurements, but not very effective for illegal drugs.
Illegal Drug Use in Tuttle
Illegal drug use in Tuttle primarily involves methamphetamine, but there are cases where illegal narcotics and prescription drugs are involved. Statewide in Oklahoma, the fentanyl crisis has been a major issue in the state’s drug overdose epidemic, with fentanyl overdoses increasing from 127 deaths to 730 in 2023, according to the CDC. Rural areas like Tuttle have the highest per-capita overdose rate in the state of Oklahoma.
Contact Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law
If you or your loved one has been injured in a car accident due to a driver on illegal drugs in Tuttle, Ylla | Gosney can help. We understand that injured victims only have one chance at securing financial relief after being seriously injured by another person’s careless actions. That’s why we focus on getting your case resolved and getting you paid as quickly as possible.
Our firm has proudly managed numerous car accident cases involving illegal drugs and has reached successful outcomes quickly and efficiently on their behalf. Get the legal help you need by contacting Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law today for a free, no-risk consultation and case evaluation. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay a cent until your case is won.