Driving while drunk is incredibly dangerous and puts all road users at great risk. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident that was caused by a person who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you need to take action immediately.
The drunk driving accident lawyers at The Super Lawyer – Greene Legal Group are committed to fighting for the rights of people that suffer damages due to auto accidents and can help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to as you focus on your recovery.
Call our auto accident attorneys today at 866-4-LAW-411 to schedule your free consultation.
Drunk Driving Statistics
Drunk driving remains a significant public safety issue in the United States, contributing to a substantial portion of traffic fatalities each year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired driving was responsible for nearly 30% of all traffic deaths in 2022, amounting to over 11,000 lives lost.
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce these numbers through law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and the implementation of stricter DUI laws, drunk driving continues to be a persistent problem.
Young adults and repeat offenders are often overrepresented in these statistics, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. The financial and emotional toll of drunk driving accidents is immense, affecting not only the victims but also their families and communities.
These statistics underscore the importance of continuing efforts to combat drunk driving through education, prevention, and stricter enforcement of existing laws.
What Should I Do After a Drunk Driving Accident?
If you are ever involved in a drunk driving accident, here is what you should do:
Contact Police
Call the police after you move your vehicle to safety and let them know that you were involved in a car accident. The police will take an accident report that details what happened, documents all parties involved, and contains other useful information that can help strengthen your case.
Check on Other Involved Parties
Don’t leave the scene before checking on other parties involved in the accident. If you are in a position to do so, help other accident victims out of their vehicles, and administer first-aid while you wait for the EMTs to arrive.
Seek Medical Attention
If you or a loved one was seriously injured in the crash, your top priority should be to seek medical treatment within the shortest time possible. You may be in a position to wait if the injuries weren’t severe, but it is still important to visit a hospital and document your injuries.
Speak with Witnesses
If there were any witnesses present, speak with them and get their contact information. Your attorney may wish to speak to those witnesses if you later wish to seek compensation for damages incurred.
Record the Scene
Today, just about everybody has a cell phone capable of taking pictures or recording video. It is important to record all damage to all vehicles and take pictures/record video footage of the accident scene. It can be a good idea to take photos of injuries including cuts and bruises.
Exchange Information
Ensure that you exchange contact and insurance information with other parties involved in the accident, even if they were not responsible for the crash.
Never Admit Fault
Never take any responsibility for the accident when talking with other parties involved in the accident, police, or witnesses. Never say that you are sorry and never admit any liability or fault.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
Talk to Reginald Greene, The Super Lawyer, by dialing 866-4-LAW-411, especially if you sustained serious injuries or incurred serious damage to property. Our skilled personal injury lawyers will help you seek compensation to cover damages incurred.
How Do I Prove a Drunk Driver Caused My Accident?
To prove that a drunk driver caused the accident, which means that he/she was negligent in causing the accident, you and your legal team must be able to introduce evidence of the following at trial:
- Testimony by the injured plaintiff and eyewitnesses describing how the at-fault driver operated his/her vehicle.
- Testimony by the injured plaintiff and eyewitnesses describing the other driver’s expression speech, or gait after the accident happened.
- Police officer testimony regarding the at-fault driver’s mannerisms and speech following the accident.
- The defendant’s own admission of guilt.
- Breathalyzer evidence that has to be authenticated by the investigating officer.
- Police report showing that the defendant driver is at fault, which must be authenticated by the investigating officer.
Dram Shop Laws and Negligence in DUI Accidents
Dram Shop Laws hold establishments like bars, restaurants, and liquor stores legally accountable if they serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors who then go on to cause a DUI (driving under the influence) accident.
These laws are designed to encourage responsible alcohol service and reduce alcohol-related accidents. If a drunk driver causes an accident, the injured parties may pursue a claim not only against the driver but also against the establishment that provided the alcohol.
Negligence plays a key role in these cases, as the establishment must be shown to have breached its duty of care by serving someone who was clearly intoxicated or underage.
If negligence is proven, the establishment can be held liable for damages resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Dram Shop Laws vary by state, with some states imposing strict liability, while others require proof that the alcohol service directly contributed to the accident.
How Can a Lawyer Help My Car Accident Claim?
If you are ever involved in a car accident, you should contact the trusted auto accident lawyers at Reginald Greene today by dialing 866-4-LAW-411 for assistance with your case. Here are some of the laws our legal team can help:
Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit
If the insurance company is not willing to offer a reasonable settlement, our legal team can file a personal injury lawsuit to help you secure the compensation that you deserve. This step is almost always enough to push the insurance adjuster to offer a fair settlement even before the case ever goes to court.
Settlement Negotiation
Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators that fight hard for their interests, but so too are our auto accident attorneys. We regularly negotiate with insurance companies and other lawyers in matters relating to DUI accident compensation and always focus solely on the best interests of our clients.
Trial Preparation and Representation
It is sometimes impossible to resolve DUI- related auto accidents quickly enough through an insurance claim. That’s why you should trust our legal team to file a personal injury lawsuit to represent you in court and ensure that you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Damages Are Available If You Are Hit by a Drunk Driver?
The types of damages that you can pursue if you are hit by a drunk driver almost always depends on the facts of your case. Here are the 3 types of damages you can pursue in a DUI accident claim:
Economic Damages
Losses related to money or assets and include lost wages, medical treatment, personal damage to property, inability to earn wages, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
Losses that are equally important but much harder to quantify financially such as disfigurement, pain, and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.
Punitive Damages
Damages that you can seek out in very serious cases of liability or negligence, particularly if the negligent acts resulted in death or dire physical impairment.
Car Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
Car accident claim statutes of limitations refer to the legal time limits within which you must file a claim following a car accident. These statutes vary by state and depend on the nature of the claim, such as whether it involves personal injury, property damage, or wrongful death.
Typically, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims ranges from one to three years from the date of the accident, while property damage claims might have a similar or slightly longer time frame.
It’s crucial to be aware of these deadlines because once the statute of limitations expires, you lose the right to file a lawsuit or seek compensation through the courts.
Additionally, while these time limits generally apply to legal claims, your insurance policy may have its own requirements for reporting the accident and filing a claim much sooner. To protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to, it’s important to act promptly and consult with a legal professional if necessary.
Schedule A Free Consultation With a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI accident you should speak with an experienced auto accident attorney within the shortest time possible.
The experienced team of auto accident attorneys at The Super Lawyer – Greene Legal Group have been representing DUI accident victims for a long time. Call us today by dialing 866-4-LAW-411 today for your free consultation.
