If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by an intoxicated driver, Abel Law Firm is here to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve. The most obvious example of intoxicated driving is driving while drunk. Still, it also applies to intoxication caused by any other drug affecting a person’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. Whether the drug in question was legal (like a sleeping pill) or illegal, if it impacts a person’s driving ability, it counts as intoxicated driving. Intoxicated driving is a reckless and negligent act that endangers everyone. Motorcyclists are especially at risk because they don’t have the same protection as passenger vehicle drivers.
If an intoxicated driver was at fault for your or a loved one’s injuries, they should be held responsible for their reckless actions. You should not be forced to pay for their carelessness emotionally, physically, and financially. Let Abel Law Firm help you get your life back on track by getting you the compensation you deserve. Call our experienced team of Oklahoma City intoxicated driver motorcycle accident lawyers today at (405) 239-7046 to schedule a consultation.
What is Intoxicated Driving?
Oklahoma laws prohibit drivers from operating their vehicles if alcohol prevents them from driving safely or if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or more. These laws also include substances, such as Schedule I controlled substances or anything that can impair a person’s driving abilities.
Even a drug you think is harmless could hurt how you drive. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines could cause drowsiness, slowed reaction time, and blur vision. Using these medications and driving is just as dangerous as drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel of a car.
Do I Need an Attorney for an Intoxicated Driver Motorcycle Accident?
If an intoxicated driver has hurt you or a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you may wonder how you will pay your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. You may be worried about how you’ll support yourself and your loved ones. Fortunately, you can pursue compensation if someone else’s reckless actions hurt you. If you choose to do so, you should have an experienced attorney on your side. Hiring a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer is often the best decision you can make for yourself and your family after a serious injury accident.
Why Choose Abel Law Firm?
At Abel Law Firm, we are passionate about getting results. We have won millions for our clients in drunk driving and motorcycle accidents, so we understand the intricacies of these kinds of cases. With over 130 years of combined experience, our attorneys have the experience and knowledge you need on your side. We are deeply committed to protecting our Oklahoma community, so you can rest easy knowing we will do everything possible to win you the maximum compensation and justice you deserve.
Cases We Handle
These cases can become complicated quickly. Knowing who is at fault in different situations can be difficult. Oklahoma is an at-fault state, meaning courts will usually hold the intoxicated driver responsible. However, in some situations, this is not the case. If the accident occurred while the driver performed their job duties, their employer might also be liable for your losses. Similarly, in some cases, the company/entity that owns the vehicle (rather than the driver) might be the party that is held responsible. This can include:
- Vehicles owned by the federal or state government
- Vehicles bearing the name, symbol, or logo of a business or corporation
- Taxis
- Vehicles for sale by a licensed used car dealer
The party or parties responsible can be held liable for the damage they cause, including evident financial damage and intangible emotional damage. We could file a claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company and seek compensation up to the limit listed on their policy. State laws require all drivers to purchase liability coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
You might be entitled to compensation from a liability claim for
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Insurance payments
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Out-of-pocket costs
These expenses can add up quickly, depending on the accident’s severity. The guidance of an experienced lawyer from Abel Law Firm will help you get the maximum recovery possible. The exact details of your particular case will determine who is liable for your losses and what kind of compensation you deserve. We will guide you through this confusing process to ensure you get the money you owe.
What You Should Do After an Intoxicated Driver Motorcycle Accident
You should do a few things after a motorcycle accident with an intoxicated driver to help ensure you get the maximum compensation possible. The first is to call 911 so an officer can investigate and write a crash report. This report can be helpful in your accident claim to prove who was at fault. It will include a description of events concluded by the officer and who they believe caused the crash. They will also note any traffic citations they issued, such as intoxicated driving.
Hire an experienced Oklahoma City intoxicated driver motorcycle accident attorney. You could pursue legal action yourself, but you would have a better chance of winning higher compensation if you sought legal representation. We know the tactics insurance companies use against unrepresented claimants. We will not allow them to take advantage of you or mistreat you during the process.
You should seek medical treatment immediately. You might think the insurance company will make a fair settlement offer for your medical bills and other costs, but their goal is to save money. They will look for reasons to deny your claim or provide a low offer that doesn’t adequately cover your losses. If you wait too long before your first appointment, they might assume it’s because you didn’t get hurt in the accident.
Abel Law Firm will investigate and obtain evidence to prove the other driver was drunk and should be held liable for the accident. During this time, you should regularly attend your doctor’s appointments and keep copies of all medical records to submit to the insurance company. They will need evidence of your necessary treatment to recover from your injuries.
Get a repair estimate if your motorcycle or any personal property was damaged during the accident. The impaired driver could be financially responsible for the total value of your damaged property. We can use this evidence to show the compensation you require to repair or replace your motorcycle and personal items, such as a cell phone or an expensive watch.
Oklahoma Laws Associated with Lawsuits
When you file a lawsuit, there’s a deadline for you to follow, known as a statute of limitations. This is a strict timeframe for pursuing legal action against another person in court. The statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents is two years. That means you must sue the driver for two years from the crash date. If two years pass before you can file, you could lose your right to pursue compensation in court.
Sometimes, the accident victim is partially responsible for their injuries and ends up suffering the consequences of their actions. Modified comparative negligence reduces the amount of compensation you’re allowed to pursue if you share any degree of fault for the crash. Under normal circumstances, you could seek $100,000 in compensation if your losses total $100,000. However, if a jury discovers you share 25% fault, you would only be entitled to $75,000.
Contact Us
At Abel Law Firm, we are ready to help if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by an intoxicated driver. The physical pain and emotional trauma inflicted upon you by another driver’s reckless and negligent actions should not go unpunished, and you do not have to tackle this tricky legal process alone.
When you hire us, we will approach your case with personalized attention and create a strategy to reach your goals. We will not try to influence you into decisions you’re not ready to make or don’t feel comfortable making. Our attorneys know the importance of recovering the maximum available compensation for the costs associated with the motorcycle accident. We put our client’s interests above our own when handling these cases.
Our OKC motorcycle accident lawyers won’t rest until we win the compensation you deserve. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident with an intoxicated driver, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your legal options. Call Abel Law Firm today at (405) 239-7046 to schedule a consultation.
