§ 141.Actions For Damages By Motor Vehicles Or Watercraft

Chapter 5: Venue · Last amended June 16, 1965 · Last verified August 3, 2026

In one sentenceSection 141 lets a plaintiff suing over a car accident or watercraft injury, where the Oklahoma-resident defendant was in the state at the time, choose between any county where a defendant can be served and any county where the damages occurred.

Full Text of § 141

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The venue of civil actions for damages resulting from the use or operation of motor vehicles, or resulting from the operation of boats or other watercraft in the waters of this state, wherein the defendant or defendants resided in the State of Oklahoma at the time of injury, shall be, at the option of the plaintiff or plaintiffs, in either of the following:

1. In any county of Oklahoma where service of summons can be obtained upon one or more of the defendants as now provided by law.

2. In any county where the damages or a part thereof were sustained.

The plaintiff or plaintiffs may cause summons to issue to any county in Oklahoma for service upon one or more of the defendants. When service of summons upon one or more of the defendants cannot be obtained in Oklahoma with the exercise of due diligence, service may then be secured upon such defendant or defendants, as now or hereafter provided in Chapter 59, 47 O.S. 1961, for service upon nonresident motorists.

End

Amendment History

Laws 1953, HB 606, p. 49, § 1, emerg. eff. 6/8/1953; Amended by Laws 1965, SB 312, c. 246, § 1, emerg. eff. 6/16/1965.

Plain-English Summary

For civil damages actions from the use or operation of a motor vehicle, or the operation of a boat or other watercraft on Oklahoma waters, where the defendant or defendants resided in Oklahoma at the time of the injury, the plaintiff may choose either any county where service of summons can be obtained on one or more of the defendants, or any county where the damages, or part of them, were sustained.

The plaintiff may cause summons to issue to any county in Oklahoma for that purpose, and if service can't be obtained anywhere in the state with due diligence, the plaintiff can fall back on the service procedure Chapter 59 of Title 47 provides for nonresident motorists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I sue after a car accident in Oklahoma?

At your option, in any county where you can get a defendant served with summons, or in any county where the damages occurred.

Does this section apply to boating accidents too?

Yes, it covers damages from operating boats or other watercraft on Oklahoma waters, on the same terms as motor vehicle claims.

What if the defendant can't be served anywhere in Oklahoma?

The plaintiff may secure service under Chapter 59 of Title 47, Oklahoma's nonresident-motorist service statute.

Does this section apply if the defendant lived out of state at the time of the injury?

No, by its terms it applies where the defendant or defendants resided in Oklahoma at the time of the injury.

Source & verification. Section text is reproduced verbatim from Title 12 of the Oklahoma Statutes, enacted by the Oklahoma Legislature. Last verified August 3, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: Oklahoma car accident venue statutewhere to sue after a car wreck Oklahoma12 O.S. § 141boating accident lawsuit venue Oklahoma