When someone drives drunk or impaired, the chances of an accident happening increase dramatically. Despite nationwide efforts to curb the number of intoxicated drivers on the road, driving while intoxicated (DWI) accidents still occur regularly. If you were hurt by an intoxicated driver, you do not need to handle your case alone.
Our team of Birmingham driving while intoxicated attorneys at Morris Bart & Associates, LLC can review the facts of your accident case for free. We can help you hold a drunk driver accountable for your damages. Learn what our law firm can do for you today.
Damages in a Driving While Intoxicated Accident
Intoxicated driving can cause serious injuries or even death. The intoxicated driver may face criminal charges, but victims can be left with major injuries or life-altering impairments. These could include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck or back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burns, scarring, and disfigurement
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputation or loss of use of a limb
If you sustained any of these injuries, or other types of injuries and financial losses, you may be eligible to take legal action against the impaired driver who caused them.
If your loved one passed away in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, you may be entitled to compensation in a wrongful death case. A member of our Birmingham car accident legal team may be able to build a personal injury or wrongful death case on your behalf.
For a free legal consultation with a Driving While Intoxicated Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call 800-537-8185
Alabama’s Driving While Intoxicated Laws
Alabama Code § 32-5A-191 prohibits adults from driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above, or from using an impairing substance and then driving. When a person drives drunk or drugged, they could face criminal charges.
This is especially true if they cause an accident. If an officer issued an intoxicated driving citation or made a drunk driving arrest at the scene of your accident, this could be useful evidence in your case.
Birmingham Driving While Intoxicated FAQ
Not only will a motorist driving under the influence of alcohol face criminal charges, but you can also file a civil claim against them for your damages and injuries for causing your crash. A Birmingham driving while intoxicated lawyer answers your questions here.
Can You Sue Someone for Driving Drunk?
What Sort of Compensation Can I Receive in a Driving While Intoxicated Accident?
What Do I Need in Order to File a Lawsuit for an Intoxicated Driver Accident in Birmingham?
How Can a Birmingham Driving While Intoxicated Lawyer Help?
Can You Afford to Hire a Birmingham Driving While Intoxicated Lawyer?
Can You Sue Someone for Driving Drunk?
Alabama is a fault state, meaning the person who caused the accident is financially responsible for the damages. If you are hit by a drunk driver, you can sue the intoxicated driver. In Alabama, you may file a civil lawsuit against an intoxicated driver who injured you.
A Birmingham drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm can help you file a personal injury lawsuit to pursue compensation for your injuries.
What Sort of Compensation Can I Receive in a Driving While Intoxicated Accident?
When investigating a driving while intoxicated accident and building a case against the at-fault driver, your lawyer will document as many of your accident-related expenses and losses as can be identified. We may request your relevant medical records, work with medical expert witnesses, and take other steps to secure this evidence.
This could allow us to build a case that recovers:
- Current and future medical treatment and other accident-related care
- Current and future lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Repair or replacement of your car
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic damages
- Wrongful death damages if your family member passed away in the accident
Punitive damages may also be available in some drunk driving civil suits. These damages penalize the at-fault drivers for their grossly negligent behavior. A Birmingham DWI lawyer can tell you more about the specific damages that may be recoverable in your case.
What do I Need in Order to File a Lawsuit for an Intoxicated Driver Accident in Birmingham?
While the prosecutors in a criminal case must prove that the at-fault party drove drunk or intoxicated, the same is not true for your civil case. In order to file a lawsuit for an intoxicated driver accident in Birmingham, you do not even have to prove there was alcohol involved. You simply need to show that the driver acted negligently, and this negligence caused the accident.
To prove driver negligence, we need to provide evidence to confirm four factors:
- The driver had a duty to do certain things or not do certain things, usually according to traffic laws.
- The driver failed to follow traffic laws or otherwise failed to uphold their duty.
- This failure directly led to your accident and injuries.
- You sustained physical injuries and financial losses because of it.
We can secure evidence to support your case, represent you throughout the process, and pursue compensation. A Birmingham DWI attorney can explain more about the process.
How Can a Birmingham Driving While Intoxicated Lawyer Help?
Suffering a car wreck caused by an intoxicated driver can be overwhelming. But there’s no need to try to handle this situation on your own.
Our team is here to stand by your side throughout the entire process. We will answer your questions and offer legal advice.
We can help you by:
- Collecting evidence pertaining to your case, such as police reports
- Gathering medical records and doctor’s statements proving your injuries
- Building your case to seek compensation for your losses
- Handling communications with insurance
- Advocating for you in court
Just having a knowledgeable person on your side who understands your situation can ease your stress. Our law firm has been helping injured accident victims for over 40 years and we won over 6,500 cases in 2019 alone.
Can You Afford to Hire a Birmingham Driving While Intoxicated Lawyer?
We understand the financial burden associated with an intoxicated driving crash. In addition to unexpected medical bills and property damage, you also have to maintain your regular living expenses. We don’t want to add to your stress.
Our firm handles Birmingham drunk driving accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no up-front costs for your family. You only pay us if you receive a settlement or ruling in court.
Click to contact our Birmingham Car Accident Lawyers today
Your Time to Act Is Limited in Alabama
Under Alabama Code § 6-2-38, you generally have two years from the date of an accident to take action in civil court. This deadline is known as a statute of limitations. If you do not take legal action within this timeframe, you may lose your right to compensation.
Reach out to a driving while intoxicated attorney in Birmingham about your case as soon as possible after your injuries are stabilized. Our team can protect your rights and ensure you do not miss important deadlines in your case.
Talk to Our Birmingham Legal Team Today
If you suffered injuries in a Birmingham car accident that occurred because of an intoxicated driver’s negligence, call our legal team for a free consultation today. A Birmingham driving while intoxicated attorney from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC can help. Let us help you hold the intoxicated driver accountable for your losses.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
