When you’re injured or a loved one is lost in a drunk driving accident, the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions can be difficult to bear. At Moore Law Firm, our DUI accident attorneys in Mobile, Alabama have helped more than 15,000 personal injury victims fight to recover compensation for their injuries and losses after a crash. We’re dedicated to helping you find the justice you deserve and guiding you through this challenging time with compassion and tenacity.
Alabama DUI Law
In Alabama, drivers twenty-one and older with blood alcohol content (BAC level) of 0.08% can be charged with DUI. Commercial vehicle operators can face DUI charges if their BAC is 0.04%. Underage drivers may be charged with a DUI if found to have a .02% BAC level.
Motorists can also be charged with DUI if they are driving while under the influence of marijuana, certain prescription and OTC medications, and other drugs. Alabama’s DUI laws impose harsh penalties, especially for repeat offenses and crashes involving serious injuries or fatalities. Penalties range from misdemeanors to felony-level punishment that can result in license suspension, hefty fines and even prison time.
How Criminal Proceedings Can Impact Your Claim
Although criminal and civil DUI cases are separate, evidence and testimony from criminal proceedings can strengthen your claim. If you’re involved in an accident with a drunk driver, it’s critical to contact a DUI lawyer in Alabama as soon as possible to find out the most effective course of action for recovering compensation.
In some cases, it’s best to wait for the criminal case to conclude, while in others, pursuing a civil claim right away may be more appropriate. Evidence and testimony from criminal proceedings and DUI convictions can provide solid proof of negligence and give your drunk driving accident attorney significant leverage in negotiations with insurers.
Our DUI lawyers in Mobile are well-versed in Alabama law and are dedicated to helping victims hold drunk drivers accountable. In Alabama, you only have two years from the date of your injury to file a car accident lawsuit, so it’s important to take action as soon as you can.
Common Types of DUI Accidents
Our Mobile drunk driving accident lawyers have handled countless cases in which the reckless actions of impaired drivers have caused serious injuries and fatalities.
Some common types of DUI crashes include:
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- T-Bone accidents
- Rollover crashes
Some drunk driving accidents may involve pedestrians, bicyclists, or multi-car crashes as well. Our DUI accident attorneys know how to handle these complex cases. We often work closely with accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and other professionals to demonstrate how a crash happened, who is at fault, and the scope of a victim’s injuries.
Common Injuries Sustained in DUI Accidents
Accidents involving drunk drivers can result in catastrophic, permanent injuries that require costly hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation and ongoing care. Our DUI accident lawyers know how to accurately value your claim and include the cost of future medical expenses and long-term care to ensure the full scope of your needs are covered.
Victims of DUI accidents may suffer from:
Back, Neck and Spinal Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs and fractured vertebra are painful conditions that often require prolonged treatment and have permanent effects on your health and quality of life. Spinal cord damage can lead to partial or complete paralysis and death.
Head and Brain Injuries: Concussion, skull fractures, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other head injuries can be life-threatening and lead to coma, loss of cognitive and motor function, psychological issues and other serious problems.
Broken bones or amputation: Severe fractures and crushed bones that may result in amputation are not uncommon when someone is involved in an accident with a drunk driver.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Torn, sprained, or strained muscles, ligaments and tendons often require surgery and extensive physical therapy.
Internal Injuries: DUI accidents may cause uncontrolled internal bleeding and serious damage to vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, lungs and spleen.
Cuts and Burns: Lacerations and burns sustained in DUI accidents can lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Psychological Issues: Psychological issues such as PTSD, anxiety and depression often develop after being involved in a motor vehicle accident and may have an adverse impact on your quality of life.
If you’ve lost a loved one due to an impaired driver’s negligence, a drunk driving accident lawyer can evaluate your case and determine whether you have a viable wrongful death claim. Although no amount of money can bring someone back, monetary compensation often provides families with a sense of justice and the financial stability they need and deserve.
What To Do After a Drunk Driving Accident in Alabama
Following a car crash, you may feel dazed and shaken. However, if you can it’s important to take certain steps after a DUI accident to ensure your rights are protected.
After any accident, it’s vital to seek medical treatment right away. Call 911 and check to see if anyone else is injured. If you suspect that another driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, write down your observations and make sure to tell police officers who arrive on the scene. Ask for a copy of the police report if it’s available. It’s also useful to take photos, notes, and witness statements and gather contact and insurance information of all drivers who were involved in the accident.
Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as you can. Insurance companies are not on your side and do whatever they can to minimize payouts and deny claims. Do not give any statements to insurance adjusters, sign anything, or accept a settlement before consulting with a DUI accident lawyer. Having a personal injury attorney by your side can significantly increase your chances of receiving the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Protect Your Rights
Our Mobile DUI accident lawyers can help you understand your rights after a drunk driving accident.
Cases involving drunk drivers can be complex. Each case comes with different challenges, depending on the specific circumstances and the extent of your injuries and losses. In addition to holding the impaired driver accountable, you may be entitled to bring a third-party liability dram shop claim against an establishment or person who continued to serve an intoxicated person who then caused an accident.
Our drunk driving accident lawyers are well-versed in the complexities of Alabama DUI law and explore every avenue to hold all responsible parties accountable for your injuries and losses. Your DUI accident attorney may be able to help you recover damages such as:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In Alabama, punitive damages are sometimes awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly malicious, intentional, or showed a willful disregard for the safety and rights of others. They are the only type of damages awarded in wrongful death cases.
We Handle All Aspects of Your Case
When you’re injured and trying to heal, negotiating with insurance adjusters and gathering documentation of your injuries can be daunting and time-consuming. Insurance companies use all sorts of underhanded tactics to pay as little as possible. Our DUI accident lawyers in Mobile provide aggressive legal representation and won’t back down in our pursuit of justice for you and your family. We’re not afraid to stand up to insurance companies. We are seasoned litigators who will take your case to trial if a reasonable settlement can’t be reached.
A Risk-Free Investment in Your Health and Financial Security
Our drunk driving accident attorneys have a proven record of success and take cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that there are no upfront costs to pursue your case. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Contact A DUI Accident Attorney in Alabama
For more than 40 years, our drunk driving accident law firm in Mobile, AL has helped victims and their families rebuild their lives after devastating DUI crashes. Call Moore Law Firm at 251-445-7602, contact us or use the convenient chat feature on our website to get in touch today. Our drunk driving accident lawyers serve clients in Mobile, AL and surrounding communities.