Every year, drivers who are impaired by the use of alcohol or other drugs cause thousands of vehicle accidents. Alcohol is a legal drug that is readily available and widely used by many; however, the problem arises when individuals abuse alcohol and then choose to get behind the steering wheel to drive. Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of crashes in the United States. There is a significant correlation between traffic crashes and drivers’ alcohol use, and although the rate of vehicle crashes caused by drunk drivers has decreased in recent decades, these accidents can be prevented altogether. Drivers who are intoxicated or drunk and have an elevated blood alcohol content (BAC) are at an increased risk of being involved in accidents, receiving injuries, or causing fatalities. They not only put themselves at risk but can also can severely injure or even kill others on the road. Usually, drivers involved in drunk driving accidents have a BAC level of 0.15 or higher. This level of impairment is especially dangerous as even a small amount of alcohol can affect your judgment, vision, and coordination, thus placing you at risk for losing control of your vehicle.
Types of Injuries and How You Can Receive Compensation
Accidents that involve alcohol can be life-threatening or deadly. Injuries to drivers and passengers can range from broken bones or fractures to more severe injuries such as brain or spinal cord injuries. In most cases, the insurance of the driver who caused the accident will be responsible for compensating you for your loss. Liability can extend to other parties such as a bar, nightclub or other establishment that continued to serve an individual who was drunk. If you have questions about who may be liable in your case, our legal team can help. We will determine who is liable, investigate your case, and look at your medical record to determine the extent of your injuries, including pain and suffering and any future medical issues you may encounter. We will seek compensatory damages that are meant to indemnify you for any injury or loss you encountered as a result of your accident, such as lost wages and medical costs.
Aside from seeking compensatory damages, you may also pursue punitive damages, which may be awarded in addition to compensatory, or actual damages, and are designed to punish the defendant for his or her exceptionally harmful behavior. Punitive damages are also meant to deter the defendant from engaging in dangerous conduct in the future. As a victim of a DWI vehicle crash, deterrence is especially important because we want to prevent the driver from engaging in this reckless conduct again and potentially endangering more people. Our legal team has handled drunk driving accidents in North Carolina and South Carolina and we will seek to obtain the maximum amount of compensation for you.
Call Us Today for a Consultation
If you have been injured as a result of a drunken driving accident or a loved one has been injured or killed, please contact a lawyer who is experienced in handling these difficult cases. The Tatum Law Firm has provided assistance to countless victims and will do the same for you. Whether you are seeking to recover compensation for your injuries or want to file a wrongful death suit, you can rely on our firm for quality legal representation. We will evaluate your case and inform you of your legal options. For a free consultation, please contact our office at (704) 307-4197.