If a drunk driver caused you or your loved one’s collision in Jefferson or Shelby county, you could hold them accountable and recover compensation. A Hoover drunk driving (DUI) accident attorney from the Morris Bart law office is here to represent you and pursue justice in your case.
We provide complimentary consultations for potential clients. We will listen to your circumstances and discuss the details of the incident and your legal options with you. Mainly, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the drunk driver who caused the crash.
Collecting Compensation for Injuries and Expenses After a DUI Crash
Our attorneys at the Morris Bart law office know what it takes to prove a car accident claim and recover compensation. It involves establishing:
- The other party’s duty toward you (e.g., driving safely and following Alabama traffic laws)
- How they violated this duty (e.g., their intoxication may have caused them to run a red light or swerve out of their lane)
- The connection between the other party’s actions and the accident
- You or your loved one’s injuries and damages
With evidence of these facts, we can value your claim and demand the insurance company or liable party pay for your:
- Current and future medical treatment
- Ongoing care and support for lasting injuries
- Lost wages and other income
- Diminished ability to work and earn
- Property damages
- Other related costs and losses
- Pain and suffering
- Additional intangible damages
Wrongful Death Damages in Alabama
A wrongful death lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can fight for your right to seek damages under Ala. Code § 6-5-410 if your loved one died in a drunk driving accident. However, you cannot recover compensable damages under this law—only punitive damages are available.
As such, we need to build a strong case to prove the driver acted recklessly or intentionally to recover a settlement or court award for you and your family. We can discuss this more during your complimentary consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a Drunk Driving Accident lawyer serving Hoover, call (205) 380-4158
Morris Bart & Associates, LLC Fights to Protect the Rights of Accident Victims
The Morris Bart law firm represents Hoover car accident victims, building strong support for insurance claims and seeking compensation in court. We have 40+ years of experience handling drunk driving claims for injured individuals and their families.
Our case results in 2019 included more than 6,500 verdicts and settlements for our clients across four states. This includes $650,000 in a drunk driving crash that left our client with a long list of injuries, including:
- A broken right arm
- A broken back
- Rib fractures and punctured lungs
- A fractured right leg
- A broken hip and pelvis
We have four locations in Alabama alone, including Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery. We represent accident victims in Hoover from our Birmingham office, located at 420 20th Street N. #2750.
The Cost of a Car Accident Attorney
All clients pay for our services through a contingency fee, which means we do not have any upfront costs. Instead, our attorney fees are a percentage of the settlement or court award we secure for you.
The DUI Case Versus the Personal Injury Claim
When a drunk driver causes a crash and gets arrested, they can face two separate cases:
The Criminal Case Against Them
A motorist is guilty of DUI when they drive or are in “actual physical control” of a car while:
- They are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) tests at .08 or more (for most drivers of legal drinking age).
The penalties for a DUI conviction in Alabama include:
- Jail time
- Fines
- License suspension
- Undergoing a substance abuse evaluation
- Treatment and counseling, in some cases
Meanwhile, civil cases against drunk drivers are entirely separate proceedings that allow victims and their families to seek financial justice.
The Civil Case Against Them
A civil case often begins with an insurance claim based on the other driver’s auto liability coverage. We demand a payout from their insurer based on our client’s expenses and losses, seeking a fair settlement offer. In some cases, our lawyers do sue the liable party, but this is less common.
It is important to note that the burden of proof is different in a civil case than in a criminal one. This means:
- We do not have to prove the driver was drunk, although this could strengthen your claim.
- We can hold a driver liable regardless of the outcome of their criminal case.
- We only need to show they acted negligently and caused the collision.
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You don’t Have Long to Get Started
Our attorneys generally settle drunk driving crash claims and other car accident cases out of court. However, we sometimes need to sue to ensure our client’s rights remain protected and we get them the financial recovery they deserve. We only have a limited time to do this, though.
Every state sets its own timelines for filing personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. As such, Alabama’s filing deadline could play a crucial role in your case. Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38, victims usually only have up to two years to sue. However, exceptions exist, which could give you more or less time if you meet one of them.
If we do not sue the at-fault party in a Hoover DUI crash within two years of the accident, you could lose the right to sue for your injuries.
Speak to a Morris Bart & Associates, LLC Attorney for Free Today
At the Morris Bart law firm, our lawyers provide free case reviews for those hurt by drunk drivers in Hoover and elsewhere in Alabama. We are ready to file a claim or lawsuit and pursue damages on your behalf based on your expenses and losses.
Let us answer your questions and assess your options for free today. Call (205) 380-4158 now to connect with a lawyer serving your area.
Questions?Call (205) 380-4158
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
