Ylla | Gosney supports victims of DWI accidents in Oklahoma City. If you are injured by a drunk or impaired driver, you shouldn’t have to suffer financial and physical hardships due to the poor decisions made by others. Contact Ylla | Gosney Attorneys at Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a DWI Accident?
Unfortunately, DWI accidents in Oklahoma are more serious than in most other states around the US. According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, there were 710 fatal crashes, with alcohol and drug-related accidents making up well over half of these tragic crashes. So, the risk of a DWI accident is high for Oklahoma drivers, especially in more traffic-dense areas like Oklahoma City.
If you find yourself involved in a DWI car accident in Oklahoma City, you may face life-altering injuries, impacting your health and financial security for the foreseeable future. This is, unfortunately, the frightening reality most DWI car accident victims face that the statistics covered above don’t reveal. But that’s where Ylla | Gosney can help. Our firm specializes in helping you get your life back on track after a horrific DWI accident. We do this by 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 Injured DWI Accident Victims in Oklahoma City
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.
Difference Between DUI and DWI
A DUI and DWI are both terms for impaired driving offenses. In Oklahoma, a DUI and DWI are treated as two different types of offenses, with the key differences being attributed to the level of impairment (blood alcohol concentration BAC) and the severity of the penalties that go along with each. A DWI is considered a lesser offense than a DUI and applies when:
- BAC is between 05% and 0.07%
- There is evidence of impairment, such as erratic behavior or the inability to drive safely
- A driver’s blood alcohol level does not meet the requirement for a DUI, which is a BAC of 0.08%
Penalties for a DWI typically come with fines between $100-$500 or jail time of up to six months. DWI’s are misdemeanor offenses, even if they are repeated, whereas DUIs are considered felonies in the state of Oklahoma. Types of DWIs in Oklahoma City include:
- Accidents Caused by Drunk Drivers in Oklahoma City
- Accidents Caused by Drivers High on THC in Oklahoma City
- Accidents Caused by Drivers on Illegal Drugs in Oklahoma City
When Can I Sue a DWI Driver in Oklahoma City?
In the state of Oklahoma, victims of impaired driving accidents can sue when they have been injured or suffered damages due to an intoxicated or drugged driver. A test performed by law enforcement will determine whether or not a driver’s inability to operate a vehicle safely can be attributed to alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately, drunk driving is a common occurrence in Oklahoma. Here is a summary of Oklahoma’s DUI problem, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol:
- In 2023, there were 339 fatal crashes in Oklahoma where alcohol or drugs were involved
- Around 70% of DUI violations in Oklahoma end in convictions
- Oklahoma ranks high in traffic fatality rates, with impaired driving contributing to a majority of these crashes
- 73% of all DUI arrests are first-time offenders
What is the Average Settlement for a DWI Accident?
Drunk driving accidents often end with serious injuries for everyone involved. While injuries can play a large factor in your settlement amount, you can also be compensated for other damages, including:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medication, and equipment like wheelchairs and crutches
- Home care services if your injuries have made it too difficult to perform ordinary tasks for yourself
- Lost wages for missed work during your recovery
- Lost earning potential if you’re unable to earn the same level of income prior to the accident
- Loss of enjoyment of life from the inability to live the life you once did or perform activities you used to enjoy
- Pain and suffering you have to endure due to your injuries and possible surgeries
If you or a loved one has been injured due to a drunk driving accident, contact Ylla | Gosney to speak to one of our DWI Accident Attorneys. No one deserves to live with pain due to someone else’s carelessness. You deserve to get your life back and be compensated. Call Ylla | Gosney today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
How Ylla Gosney Helps Oklahoma City DWI Car Accident Victims
DWI car accidents can be devastating. In a single second, a car accident can alter the course of your life, subjecting you to extensive medical treatment, loss of income, or even permanent disability. These are costly life changes that most people are not prepared to face alone.
Fortunately, at Ylla Gosney, we will aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf to recover all your current damages and the potential damages you may face in the future as a result of the accident. We offer the following services to injured DUI car accident victims in Oklahoma City in order to maximize your compensation and achieve a successful outcome:
- Investigate and determine wrongdoing or recklessness: Car accidents are complicated due to the number of victims and liable parties involved. There will be several people to get statements from, and some parties may only be discussing their involvement through their attorneys. Ylla Gosney can help manage this quickly and efficiently.
- Collect and preserve key evidence: Street cameras, dash cams, and witness statements are all key points of evidence for your case. Our car accident attorneys will take the proper legal steps to obtain this information and strengthen your claim.
- Communicate with insurance companies and other attorneys: It is recommended to have an attorney speak to the insurance adjusters on your behalf. Oftentimes, insurance companies will attempt to trick you into taking part of the blame or get you to say something that hurts your claim. Our attorneys can protect your liability and right to fair compensation.
- Prove liability: With several parties potentially being involved in a car accident, any number of them could have caused or contributed to the incident. This makes determining and proving liability challenging. The attorneys at Ylla Gosney will assign a team of investigators and accident reconstruction specialists to determine the cause of the accident, identify all liable parties, and hold those responsible for compensating you for your damages.
Contact Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law
If you or your loved one has been injured in a DWI car accident in Oklahoma City, Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law can help. While insurance companies will typically reduce your compensation or outright deny your claim, our firm stands up on behalf of victims injured by drunk drivers and protects their right to fair compensation. Taking the first step toward legal action after a traumatic car accident can seem intimidating, but with us, you’re never alone in this fight. Contact Ylla Goseny today for a free consultation and see what legal options are available for your situation.