When someone chooses to drive drunk, it creates an extremely dangerous situation for everyone else on the road, whether they are walking, riding a bicycle, driving a motorcycle, or driving a vehicle.
Should the drunk driver strike another vehicle or pedestrian, it can result in significant injuries for those involved. If you suffered an injury at the hands of a drunk driver, you may deserve to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, mental trauma, and more.
A Luling DUI lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to represent your interests after such an accident. We can handle evidence gathering and negotiations with the insurance company when we represent you.
Call the Morris Bart law firm at (504) 613-4771 for a free review of your case with a member of our team. We may be able to represent you on a contingency-fee-basis with no money due upfront for our services.
Drunk Driving Laws in Louisiana
According to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, any driver that has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher may be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). The DWI laws in Louisiana cover the consumption of alcohol, stimulants, and narcotic drugs. If the driver is below the age of 21, the limit for Underage Driving Under the Influence (UDUI) drops to 0.02% or higher.
After a car accident, police officers may arrive on the scene and investigate what happened. If they suspect that either driver had been drinking before getting behind the wheel, the officers may perform some field sobriety tests on them. If a driver is determined to be exceeding the state’s limit for BAC, the officers may charge the driver with DWI or UDUI.
Proving Negligence Does Not Require a DWI Citation
Even if the driver who struck you did not receive a ticket for DWI because he or she did not have a BAC that reached the level of 0.08%, or because no police officer responded to the scene, you may still be able to pursue them for compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
In Louisiana, if a driver’s negligent actions cause an accident, they may be legally liable for the damages they create. A violation of a traffic law may stand up in court as proof of a negligent action. This can include things like:
- Failure to yield
- Illegal lane change
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Speeding
- And more
If you can produce evidence that the other driver caused your accident by breaking a traffic law, you may not also need to prove that they did so because they were intoxicated.
If you believe the other driver’s negligence or impairment led to your crash, a Luling DUI lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help you build a case and pursue compensation. Call us at (504) 613-4771 today for a free consultation with a representative of our firm.
For a free legal consultation with a DUI lawyer serving Luling, call 800-537-8185
Life-Changing Injuries After a Crash
After an accident in which you suffered an injury, you could be facing a life-altering situation. Your injuries could force you to undergo a period of hospitalization or months of physical therapy.
These medical costs can add up quickly, leaving you with significant financial hardship. If you are also unable to work because of the injuries you have suffered, your financial problems may be even more significant.
Compensation for Your Injuries
When you are injured in a crash that was not your fault, you can seek compensation for a number of different items related to your injuries. Some of the items for which you may be able to receive compensation for include:
- Emergency and standard care medical costs
- An estimate of future medical costs
- Costs for physical therapy
- Costs for equipment or pharmaceuticals needed in your recovery
- Lost wages while you recover
- An estimate of wages you may not be able to earn in the future
- Costs for hiring people to handle everyday tasks you no longer can do
In addition, you may have the right to receive noneconomic damages. These may include things like pain and suffering, mental trauma, a reduction in your quality or enjoyment of life, and chronic pain from your injuries that may never go away.
When you work with a Luling DUI lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm on your case, we can investigate your damages and gather proof of their value. We can then use this evidence in settlement negotiations with the responsible party’s insurance company. If they refuse to make you a fair offer, we can take your case to trial.
Morris Bart, LLC Is Ready to Work for You
When a drunk driver hits you, their insurance company may contact you with a settlement offer. However, if you believe that this settlement does not truly reflect the value of your injuries, you do not have to accept the offer.
Instead, you have the right to try to negotiate a better settlement based on the facts in the case, or file a personal injury lawsuit against the insurance company and let a judge or jury decide the outcome.
A Luling DUI lawyer from the Morris Bart law firm can handle these processes on your behalf when we represent you, including all communications, paperwork, and deadlines. Keep in mind that, per CC 3492, Louisiana imposes a general one-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits.
For a free case review with a member of the Morris Bart law firm team, call us today at (504) 613-4771 today. We may be able to take your case on a contingency-fee-basis, where our attorney fees come as a percentage of your settlement offer or court award if and when you win your case.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
