Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law can help you if you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Oklahoma City. Even though virtually everybody knows how dangerous DWI is, our team will help you deal with the legal side of things so you can focus on getting back on your feet. Set up a free consultation today.
Does a Lawyer Make Sense After a DWI Accident?
Just because a DWI car accident seems pretty obvious in terms of what happened and why doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with. In fact, they’re usually much more difficult because of the level of injuries and other problems. And the harder things seem, the more a lawyer makes sense. Our team can help you by:
- Figuring out what really happened
- Gathering evidence of the driver’s impairment
- Taking paperwork and insurance communications off your plate
- Breaking down your options in plain language
- Handling insurance company pushback
- Going to court if that’s what it takes
There’s nothing easy about being injured in a car accident. When the other driver was intoxicated, though, there’s an added layer to everything you’re dealing with. With our team on your side, you don’t also have to worry about handling the legal side of things yourself.
What Information Will Help My DWI Accident Claim?
One thing that surprises a lot of people in this situation is that it’s not always obvious that it happened because the other driver was intoxicated. That may become more obvious when you interact with them—assuming they stay at the scene.
Whatever happens, you shouldn’t confront the other driver or accuse them of being anything. Your focus should be on calling 911 to report the accident and letting the police handle things once they get there. While you wait for an ambulance, it’s a good chance to get a few basics, like:
- Pictures or videos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries
- Names and contact information for witnesses or bystanders
- The other driver’s license and insurance information, if you’re comfortable getting it
Again, you only should try to get these things if you feel up to it. Then, once you’re away from the scene in the coming days and weeks, keep track of:
- Your medical records
- Copies of police and toxicology reports
- Nearby surveillance or traffic camera footage that might’ve caught the driver or accident
- Pictures of your injuries as they’ve progressed
- Notes about how your life is different since the accident
- Pay records from missed work
So yes, all of this can feel like a lot to deal with immediately after an accident, especially when you’re hurt or shaken up. But like any other car accident, these things can make a big difference when it comes time to go forward with a DWI accident claim.
Who Else Could Be Involved in a DWI Accident?
This is another surprising thing about DWI accidents. It’s true that the intoxicated driver is going to be the primary focus of the claim. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the only person or business that could be responsible.
Depending on what happened, other parties may also need to be investigated, including:
- The person that owned the vehicle and let the intoxicated person drive
- Some other driver that wasn’t directly involved in the collision, but was still negligent
- Bars, restaurants, or other alcohol vendors if they kept serving someone who was visibly intoxicated. The same can go for private property owners.
- Government agencies, if dangerous road conditions were a contributing factor to the accident
The intoxicated driver may be the obvious person to look at, but it’s worth taking a closer look at the entire situation. Sometimes the facts point to more than just them. This doesn’t change your options, it just gives you more sources of help with what you’re left with.
How Does the Claims Process Work With a DWI Accident in Oklahoma City?
At its core, a DWI accident is still a car accident. That means you’ll generally be dealing with an insurance claim or, if necessary, a personal injury lawsuit to get finanical help for your injuries and other losses.
Things usually start with insurance, but even when the other driver was arrested for DWI, that doesn’t mean their insurance company is automatically going to offer you a fair settlement. A personal injury lawsuit is the next step if that happens. It takes more time and effort, but it also allows for fuller damages like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income
- Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and other property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death damages in fatal accidents
- Punitive damages, which is extra financial support based on the driver’s reckless actions
No matter what your situation is, you still only have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. And like any other car accident, that time can evaporate quickly as you try to move ahead.
How DWI Accidents Usually Happen in Oklahoma City
Since they all happen for the same basic reason, it’s often pretty easy to spot the patterns that come with DWI accidents in Oklahoma City. Here’s a look at how they usually unfold:
- Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of DWI accidents. You slow down with traffic, but the impaired driver doesn’t react in time. This can be especially dangerous on busy stretches of roads and highways around Oklahoma City, including I-35, I-40, and the Kilpatrick Turnpike.
- Head-on collisions are usually much more serious. These happen when an impaired driver crosses the center line or ends up in the wrong lane, leaving very little time for anyone to react. A driver who is intoxicated may also travel the wrong way on a highway or interstate.
- T-bone accidents often happen at intersections when a driver runs a red light or rolls through a stop sign without paying attention to what’s happening around them.
- Rollovers can happen when someone is driving too fast, overcorrects, or simply loses control of their vehicle. Impairment can make all of these situations much harder to recover from.
- Pedestrian accidents are another serious concern, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic around downtown Oklahoma City, entertainment districts, and busy neighborhoods.
- Bicycle accidents happen for similar reasons. An impaired driver may not see someone riding, misjudge the distance between the vehicle and bicycle, or fail to react in time.
When you look at these accidents together, the pattern is usually the same: it’s not the road that’s unpredictable—it’s the driver’s impaired ability to react and respond safely.
Ylla Gosney Can Help You After an Oklahoma City DWI Accident
Driving while impaired puts everyone else on the road at risk, and when a DWI driver causes a crash, you’re the one left dealing with the consequences.
That’s where our Oklahoma City DWI accident lawyers can help. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and help you understand what comes next. Set up a free consultation today to get started.