Unfortunately, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a major contributing factor in many motor vehicle accidents throughout the U.S. At Moore Law firm, our legal team helps clients cope with the life-changing impact of serious injuries and losses that can result from being hurt in a drunk driving accident. If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one in a crash with a motorist who was driving under the influence, our DUI accident attorneys in Mobile, AL can help you understand your rights and fight to recover maximum compensation for your damages.
Alabama DUI Accident Statistics and Law
According to Drive Safe Alabama, the incidence of DUI drivers being involved in fatal crashes is 6.9 times higher than that other types of motor vehicle accidents. Each year, nearly 50 percent of all fatal crashes in Alabama involve drivers who have been drinking. In 2017, more DUI accidents were caused by drivers aged 20-29 than any other age group.
In Alabama, drivers 21 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. Drivers can also be charged with DUI if they are found to be driving while under the influence of marijuana and other drugs.
Common Types of DUI Accidents
Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol can cause a driver to engage in reckless behavior, lose awareness of their surroundings, and impede their ability to maintain control of their vehicle.
Some common types of DUI crashes include:
Head On Collisions: Drunk drivers often enter on the wrong side of highways or drive the wrong way on one-way streets, causing catastrophic head-on collisions. Drunk drivers may also swerve and cross over a double-yellow line and collide with oncoming traffic.
Sideswipe Accidents: When drunk drivers swerve or drift into adjacent lanes of traffic they can sideswipe other vehicles and cause serious accidents, especially if they’re traveling at a high rate of speed.
Rear End Collisions: If a drunk driver loses concentration, they may crash into the car in front of them. Some drunk drivers also engage in dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding and tailgating, which can lead to grave injuries and fatalities.
Rollover Accidents: Losing control on a turn, swerving too sharply or hitting curbs or other objects can easily happen when a motorist who is drunk gets behind the wheel. Rollover accidents can cause multi-car crashes that involve many other vehicles, motorists and even pedestrians.
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. That’s why it is vital to seek the counsel of an experienced Mobile DUI accident attorney to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost income and other damages.
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, TBI (traumatic brain injury), 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: Severe fractures and crushed bones 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.
Wrongful Death: Losing a loved one due to an impaired driver’s negligence is devastating. Our DUI accident attorneys fight to get justice for you loved one and compensation for your losses.
What To Do After A DUI Accident
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. 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. Having a knowledgeable personal injury attorney by your side can increase your chances of receiving the full amount of compensation you deserve. Do not give any statements to insurance adjusters or sign anything before consulting with an experienced attorney.
Your Rights & Benefits After A DUI Accident
Our Mobile DUI accident lawyers can help you understand your rights after a drunk driving accident. The statute of limitations for filling a personal injury claim is typically two years from the date of the accident. Each case comes with different challenges, and depending on the specific circumstances and the extent of your injuries, you and your family may be entitled to both compensatory damages and punitive damages, which are used to punish the negligent party and deter them and others from committing similar egregious acts.
Cases involving drunk drivers are multifaceted. 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, thereby putting others in harm’s way. Our personal injury 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.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies use all sorts of tactics to limit the amount of compensation they pay or even deny claims altogether. When you are injured and trying to heal, negotiating with insurance adjusters and providing documentation of your injuries can be daunting and time-consuming. Our DUI accident lawyers in Mobile, AL provide aggressive legal representation to help you successfully go up against insurance companies and recover the compensation to which you are entitled.
How Does a DUI Accident Lawsuit Work?
Although DUI charges are handled by the criminal court, you can file a civil lawsuit to hold a drunk driver liable for your damages. This complaint is filed in the civil court. It must state the cause of action for the complaint, outline legal and factual reasons you believe the defendant is liable, and set forth the compensation and damages you’re requesting.
Being charged with a DUI does not necessarily mean a drunk driver will be found liable in a civil court. Although the burden of proof required in civil cases is less than what is expected in the criminal court, it still rests on the plaintiff. Our legal team investigates the defendant’s criminal history and collects any and all relevant information. From a comprehensive review of police documentation from the scene of the crime to the defendant’s assets and insurance, we build a solid foundation on which to prove your case in court. If the judge or jury rules in your favor, you are awarded compensation for the harm that resulted from the DUI driver’s actions. Compensation may include damages such as past and future medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering; as well as punitive damages for the DUI driver’s abhorrent conduct.
How Will I Pay For My Case?
Our personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that there are no up-front costs to pursue your case. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
How To Find The Right DUI Accident Attorney
Responsiveness, experience and a history of successfully recovering compensation for clients are all important considerations when selecting a personal injury lawyer you can trust. For more than 30 years, Moore Law Firm has been dedicated to helping victims and their families rebuild their lives after they have been injured or have lost a loved one to a drunk driver. Our DUI accident attorneys in Mobile, AL have a proven track record of success in recovering maximum compensation for clients in all types of personal injury cases. Call Moore Law Firm at 251-445-7602251-445-7602 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
