If a drunk driver injured you or a loved one in Tulsa, you have the right to pursue full compensation. Victims can recover for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our legal team helps clients across Oklahoma hold impaired drivers accountable. We have recovered over $550 million for injury victims since 1976 and bring that experience to every case we handle.
Drunk driving accidents are never simple collisions. They involve complex liability issues, insurance disputes, and criminal proceedings. You need a Tulsa drunk driving accident attorney who understands both the civil and criminal sides of a DUI case. The sooner you secure experienced representation, the stronger your legal position becomes.
Why Legal Experience Makes a Difference
Drunk driving accident claims require deeper legal skill than most car accident cases. The opposing driver may face criminal prosecution, while your injury claim moves through civil court. These are separate but related cases. A DUI conviction strengthens your injury claim by confirming impairment, but even without one, you can still recover damages through civil evidence.
An experienced attorney knows how to investigate both processes, coordinate with law enforcement, and use criminal case evidence to your advantage. That experience matters when insurers or defense lawyers try to minimize your claim. Learn more about your rights under Oklahoma Title 12, Section 95.
Preserving Essential Evidence for Drunk Driving Accident Claims
After a drunk driving crash, the quality of your evidence determines your outcome. Police reports, toxicology results, and witness statements fade or disappear quickly. Our team acts immediately to preserve what matters most.
We interview witnesses while memories are fresh, photograph the crash scene, and recover nearby surveillance footage. We also secure field sobriety reports and blood alcohol test results before records expire or get misplaced. Swift action allows us to build a strong case and negotiate from a position of strength when facing insurers or in court.
Promptly preserving medical evidence is equally important. Immediate medical evaluations create a clear link between the accident and your injuries, which strengthens your claim. Medical records, diagnostic imaging, and treatment notes help establish the full extent of physical harm caused by the drunk driver. Our firm works closely with healthcare providers to obtain and organize these records, ensuring that every piece of evidence supports your pursuit of fair compensation.
Common Injuries After Drunk Driving Crashes
Impaired drivers cause severe, high‑impact accidents that often result in catastrophic injuries. Our Tulsa car accident attorneys are familiar with the medical and financial fallout that follows these crashes.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): A collision can cause the brain to strike the skull, leading to concussions or permanent cognitive damage. Find more details at the CDC Traumatic Brain Injury page.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries: Paralysis, nerve damage, and herniated discs frequently occur in drunk driving crashes and often require lifelong rehabilitation.
Broken Bones and Internal Trauma: Victims regularly suffer multiple fractures, internal bleeding, and organ injuries that demand surgical treatment.
Psychological Trauma: PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common emotional effects that can impact recovery, relationships, and work life.
Compensation Available to Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents
Oklahoma law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property repair costs. Non-economic damages address pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In cases of extreme recklessness, courts may grant punitive damages to punish the drunk driver and deter similar conduct. Our Tulsa personal injury attorneys evaluate every potential source of compensation, including medical billing reductions and future care needs. Visit our case results to see real-world examples of recoveries for DUI victims.
Beyond immediate costs, many drunk driving accident victims face long-term financial challenges, such as ongoing medical care, rehabilitation expenses, and reduced earning capacity. Our team carefully calculates these future damages so that settlements or verdicts fully reflect the scope of your losses. By addressing both current and future needs, we help clients rebuild stability and move forward with confidence after a devastating crash.
How We Maximize Recovery
Our approach to DUI injury litigation is built on preparation and persistence. We start with a full factual and forensic investigation, collecting police records, accident photos, and blood alcohol reports. We collaborate with crash reconstruction specialists to analyze vehicle damage, road conditions, and driver reactions.
We also rely on federal research, including NHTSA studies on drunk driving, to demonstrate how impairment increases collision severity. When negotiating with insurance carriers, we use this data and our trial readiness to advocate for full compensation. Insurers know we prepare every case as if it will go before a jury, which often leads to better settlements for clients.
Our team includes Super Lawyers honorees, Best Lawyers in America recipients, and National Trial Lawyers Top 100 members recognized for excellence in personal injury litigation.
Oklahoma’s Two‑Year Statute of Limitations
In Oklahoma, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim (Oklahoma Title 12, Section 95). Missing this filing deadline means losing your right to recover compensation, no matter how strong your case is.
Acting quickly matters because witnesses relocate, video evidence gets overwritten, and medical documentation becomes harder to obtain. A knowledgeable Tulsa lawyer can ensure your claim is filed efficiently and on time to protect your right to compensation.
Starting your claim early also gives your attorney more time to investigate, collect vital evidence, and negotiate effectively with insurance companies. Early involvement often strengthens your case by preserving proof of fault and damages while the details are still fresh. At Abel Law Firm, our team works proactively to meet every legal deadline and build a comprehensive strategy that maximizes your recovery.
Recognizing Signs of Impaired Driving
When documenting your crash, note every sign that suggests impairment. Details from the scene can make the difference in proving liability. Look for:
- Slurred speech or the smell of alcohol
- Poor motor control or slow reactions
- Failed sobriety tests as described in NHTSA guidelines
- Witness reports of reckless driving
- A BAC level of 0.08 percent or higher under Oklahoma law
Our firm uses these facts to reinforce impairment findings and strengthen both civil and insurance claims.
Dram Shop Liability in Oklahoma
Bars and restaurants that overserve intoxicated customers can share responsibility after a crash. This rule, called dram shop liability, holds businesses accountable when they serve someone who was obviously intoxicated and that person later causes a collision.
Under Oklahoma’s alcohol policy guidance, bartenders, servers, and business owners must refuse service to drunk patrons. Filing claims against both the driver and the establishment can expand insurance coverage and increase total recovery for injured victims.
Our attorneys investigate where the driver was drinking before the crash and pursue every liable party to ensure justice is served.
Why Work With Abel Law Firm if You Were Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident
Abel Law Firm is a respected Oklahoma personal injury practice, founded by Ed Abel in 1976. For nearly 50 years, the firm has focused exclusively on helping injury victims and their families secure fair results after accidents and wrongful acts. The Tulsa office, located at 5525 E 51st St., Suite 540, gives you convenient access to local legal support with the backing of statewide resources.
When you work with Abel Law Firm, you benefit from:
- Almost five decades of service to Oklahoma’s personal injury victims, starting with the founder’s vision in 1976.
- A contingency fee approach, ensuring there are no legal fees unless compensation is recovered for you.
- Collaboration with medical specialists, accident reconstructionists, and forensic experts to build strong cases for substantial settlements or verdicts.
- Proven results, including record-setting jury verdicts, with the firm recognized for both expertise and compassionate client service over generations.
With Abel Law Firm, you have dedicated advocates who will investigate, negotiate, and litigate your claim, providing guidance every step of the way so you can focus on recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accident Claims
What should I do immediately after a drunk driving accident?
Your immediate actions after a drunk driving accident significantly impact your case. First, seek medical attention for any injuries, even if they seem minor. Some injuries don’t appear immediately. Second, call police and report the accident. The police report documents the scene and the other driver’s condition. Third, document the scene with photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries. Fourth, gather contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Finally, preserve all evidence. Keep medical records, repair estimates, and any communications with insurance companies.
Do I need a lawyer if the drunk driver was convicted?
A criminal conviction strengthens your civil case. However, it doesn’t eliminate the need for a lawyer. The criminal conviction provides evidence of impairment. Your civil case is separate from the criminal case. You still must prove your injuries. You must calculate your damages. You must negotiate with insurance companies. An experienced lawyer ensures you receive full compensation for all your losses. Additionally, insurance companies often challenge civil claims even when criminal convictions exist. Legal representation is essential.
How much does it cost to hire Abel Law Firm?
Abel Law Firm represents drunk driving accident victims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. We recover through settlement or trial verdict. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours. We’re motivated to maximize your recovery because our fee depends on it. You can focus on healing while we handle the legal work.
Contact Our Tulsa Drunk Driving Victim Accident Attorneys
If a drunk driver hurt you or your family in Tulsa, contact our team today. The two-year filing period starts immediately after the crash, and evidence fades quickly.
Call (918) 777-7046 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
We are ready to stand up to insurance companies, present strong cases in court, and help injured Oklahomans rebuild their lives after drunk driving accidents.
