Drinking and driving is a major issue, affecting individuals across the United States in irreparable ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 traffic fatalities in the United States involves a driver with blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. In 2014, nearly 10,000 people suffered fatal injuries in drunk driving accidents, accounting for about a third of all traffic-related deaths in the country. In Oklahoma, 188 people died in drunk driving accidents in 2015, an increase from the previous year. This is an entirely preventable accident that no one should have to suffer from.
Unfortunately, individuals who been injured in drunk driving accidents often suffer irreversible damages and injuries. As a result, most victims must undergo costly surgical procedures and often require medical attention for the remainder of their lives. At Martin Jean & Jackson, our Oklahoma car accident lawyers are ready to defend the rights of drunk driving accident victims. We understand that no amount of money can reverse the injuries and distresses you and your loved ones have faced, but we can work diligently to recover monetary compensation for your damages.
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Car accidents involving drunk drivers cost many lives and change many more in unimaginable ways. Often, these types of accidents result in the need for long-term care or at-home assistance to carry out duties that can no longer be performed alone. While there are many criminal penalties a perpetrator can face, victims of drunk drivers may also pursue compensation through a civil suit to recover damages for losses, which may include:
A DUI charge in Oklahoma is usually based on the BAC of an individual, which must not exceed 0.08%. Even if an individual tests under the legal limit, it is still possible he or she may face penalties if considered impaired. For drivers under 21, any measurable amount of alcohol will result in penalties. Penalties can include:
Drunk driving is alarmingly common in Oklahoma. According to the State of Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, 2,104 people were injured in alcohol-related collisions in 2016 (the latest year for which data is available) and another 189 people died in alcohol-related crashes. Of the 628 total fatal crashes in Oklahoma in 2016, alcohol-related accident fatalities comprised more than 27 percent.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce the number of drunk drivers on the road, including harsh DUI penalties for offenders, many people continue to make the choice to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Sadly, this negligence can and does lead to countless injuries and deaths in Oklahoma every year.
To speak with an Oklahoma car accident attorney from our team, call Martin Jean & Jackson today. We are ready to fight for your rights today
Drunk driving accidents come with an immense cost—billions of dollars, in fact. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), crash-related fatalities cost the United States approximately $44 billion in medical and work-lost expenses in 2013 alone. In Oklahoma, crash-related fatalities that same year resulted in a loss of approximately $902 million in medical and work-lost costs. This does not even take into account the cost of non-fatal accidents.
While the costs associated with traffic fatalities are indisputably high, the true cost of drunk driving accidents for individuals is, arguably, immeasurable. This is because drunk driving crashes come not only with economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, but also with non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, trauma, and loss of companionship.
Many victims of drunk driving accidents are suddenly left facing massive medical costs; those without health insurance may struggle to shoulder these costs out of pocket. When these medical costs are compounded by an inability to return to work, victims and their families can face incredibly stressful financial challenges. All of this can greatly affect victims’ mental health and overall well-being. When a person dies due to a drunk driving accident, there are no words to convey the full, life-long costs surviving loved ones must contend with.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a drunk driving accident, you need an experienced drunk driving accident attorney to ensure you receive compensation to help relieve the burden of costly medical bills or lost work. At our firm, we do not believe you should not have to deal with this on your own. The attorneys at Martin Jean & Jackson have more than 100 years of combined experience, which we will put to work for your case. If we do not recover compensation, you do not pay a single dime for legal fees.
“Martin Jean & Jackson Law Firm has the highest integrity when dealing with clients.”
- John A.