There are many reasons why Tulsa car accidents occur, including driving under the influence. Drunk driving continues to be a serious problem throughout the United States. Roughly 30 people die each day in DUI accidents nationwide. In 2019, alcohol-related crashes in Oklahoma totaled 3,171. That was a slight increase from the number of DUI accidents in 2018.
Who is responsible when drunk drivers cause Tulsa car accidents? Will the driver’s insurance pay the claim, or is the driver personally liable for a crash?
Who Is Responsible for a DUI Accident?
As with other types of Tulsa car accidents, the driver who causes the collision can be held financially liable for damages caused by the accident. Therefore, if an impaired driver causes a DUI accident, the drunk driver could be liable for damages.
However, you need to prove that the drunk driver was responsible for causing the car crash. Being intoxicated while driving may or may not be a factor in the cause of the accident. For instance, if a motorist ran a red light and struck a vehicle driven by a drunk driver, the motorist who ran the red light would be liable for the crash.
Therefore, do not assume that just because the other driver was drunk, you do not need to prove fault for the crash to recover compensation. If the cause of the crash is in dispute, you may need a personal injury lawyer to investigate the accident and gather evidence proving that the drunk driver caused the car wreck.
Does Car Insurance Cover Drunk Driving Accidents?
Generally, car insurance policies cover drunk driving accidents if the insured driver caused the crash. Therefore, you can file an insurance claim with the drunk driver’s insurance company for damages.
Damages caused by a DUI accident could include:
- Past, present, and future medical bills and expenses
- Loss of income and benefits, including future lost wages and decreases in earning potential
- Permanent impairments and disabilities
- Emotional and mental trauma and suffering
- Physical pain and suffering
- Decreases in a person’s quality of life or loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage claims
- Wrongful death damages
As discussed above, the insurance company only pays claims if its driver caused the crash. The insurance company assigns an adjuster to investigate the case. If the company believes that it can avoid liability for the DUI accident, it will fight the claim. The company may try to blame the victim for the cause of the accident or deny the claim based on a lack of evidence proving its insured caused the crash.
Call a Tulsa Car Accidents Attorney for a Free Consultation
DUI accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and significant damages. Proving that a drunk driver caused a crash can be challenging in some cases. Our legal team has extensive experiencing handling DUI accident cases and wrongful death claims arising from a DUI crash.
Call (866) 944-4733 now to schedule your free consultation with a Tulsa car accidents lawyer to discuss your case.