ALCOHOL RELATED ACCIDENTS
AND VICTIMS
In 2001, more than half a million people were injured in motor vehicle accidents with a drunk or impaired driver. This averages out to be an astonishing one person injured almost every single minute! Since then, many states have lowered their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) to 0.08 in an attempt to minimize the number of drunk driving accidents every year. If you or someone you know was injured in an automobile accident with a drunk driver, it is important to know that the law is on your side.
Drivers who choose to drive drunk put themselves and everyone around them at risk. Injuries from an automobile accident with a drunk driver can range from broken bones and burns to traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Tragically, every year, thousands of people lose their lives in devastating drunk driving accidents. In 2007 alone, 13,041 people were killed due to a drunk driver's negligence.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed by a drunk driver, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help. Compensation may be needed for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is important to remember that a civil lawsuit is different from the criminal charges the drunk driver will face after your accident. According to most state laws, a victim of a drunk driver has the right to sue for punitive damages as well as negligence claims. A personal injury attorney with extensive knowledge of your state's drunk driving laws can help you better understand the differences and discuss all of your legal options with you.
In addition to filing a lawsuit against the drunk driver, your attorney may be able to assist you in obtaining money from your insurance company, as well as filing for disability benefits if you are eligible.
A personal injury attorney can help you recover damages for accidents related to a careless drunk driver. If you have suffered a temporary disability or are permanently disabled because someone else had too much to drink and decided to drive, a good attorney can make sure that your damages demand includes and explains the full amount needed for your future financial security and maximum possible comfort.
For more information about our commitment to clients involved in DUI related car accident cases, contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in your state.