Ylla | Gosney represents victims injured by drivers high on THC in Tuttle. Impaired drivers typically cause serious damage to the people they get into an accident with due to their reckless driving. The state of Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018, following the vote on State Question 788. Even though marijuana is legal, Oklahoma has a zero-tolerance policy for driving with any detectable amount of THC or metabolites in a driver’s system.
If your accident was caused by a driver found to be high on THC in Oklahoma City, then we can help. At Ylla Gosney Attorneys at Law, we understand how life-changing a vehicle accident can be, especially when you have to prove drug use caused your accident. That’s why our services include thoroughly investigating your incident, managing your medical treatment, negotiating with the insurance company, and winning fair compensation on your behalf.
See what legal options are available to you by contacting us today for a free case review.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident Caused by a Driver High on THC?
Car accidents can be devastating, especially when drugs are involved. 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 car accident victims in Tulsa 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, especially when a driver is impaired. 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.
How Do I Know if I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Tuttle
Determining whether you need a lawyer after filing a car accident claim with your insurance will depend on a number of factors. For example, if your insurance does not fully cover your damages, it is recommended to consult with a Car Accident Attorney at Ylla Gosney.
If your injuries are minor, such as scrapes and bruises, then you will most likely not need a lawyer. However, if you suffered injuries that caused you to need medical treatment or miss time at work, then we can help. An insurance company does not place much value on missed time at work, having to change careers, or the emotional trauma involved in an accident. That’s where one of our attorneys can help. At Ylla Gosney, we make sure Tulsa car accident victims receive full 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
How THC Use Results in Impaired Drivers
Drug-impaired accidents are usually considered DWIs and happen quite frequently in Oklahoma City. According to the National Highway of Traffic Safety, drug-related car accidents are up 31% since 2017, with THC consumption while driving being one of the leading causes of these accidents. One recent example was in 2022, when a crash in Tishomingo killed six high school students, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The cause of the accident was linked to teen drivers who had recently used cannabis before driving. Studies have shown that accidents like these are typically attributed to the effects of THC, which cause a driver to have:
- Slower reaction time
- Loss of coordination
- Less of an ability to process changes in the road
- Lack of caution while driving
- Unawareness
Due to the uptick in THC-impaired driving in Oklahoma, the state passed SB 54 to ban consuming marijuana in vehicles for drivers and passengers. Violations include $500 fines, or harsher DUI penalties for severe violations.
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Car Accident Claim in Tuttle
According to Oklahoma Statute 12-95, injured victims have two years from the date of injury. This law allows injured car accident victims two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to recover compensation for their injuries. However, there are exceptions to the two-year limitations. For example, if you suffered a head injury, but did not experience any health issues until years later, then your two-year period would begin from the day you found out about your health complications.
Contact Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Tuttle due to an impaired driver, the Car Accident Attorneys at Ylla and Gosney can help. Drivers who choose to drive intoxicated put many lives at risk. These choices can make innocent drivers in Tuttle far more likely to be seriously injured in an accident, or in worst cases, killed. That’s why having the legal guidance of one of our Car Accident Attorneys on your side is vital to your physical and financial recovery after being injured in an untimely accident.
Our firm will aggressively pursue liable parties to recover the maximum amount of damages you’re owed, as well as connect you to immediate medical resources. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action. Contact Ylla and Gosney today to begin your free initial consultation and get the expert legal help you need.