A Madison drunk driving (DUI) accident attorney from the Morris Bart law firm may be able to help you get justice and compensation in your case. The drunk driver who caused your Madison County, Alabama, crash will possibly face criminal charges, but you can also pursue a civil case against them.
We may be able to help you prepare, file, and recover damages in your DUI accident case. We know what is required to prove negligence and liability to get money damages in an Alabama crash. In addition, we provide free consultations and legal assessments to collision victims from our Huntsville office.
Pursuing Compensation for Damages in Drunk Driving Accidents
If there is evidence to show the other driver acted recklessly and caused your accident, you may be able to hold them responsible and:
- Prove they are legally liable for your collision and injuries
- Recover cash for your economic and non-economic damages
This is the best way to help you get justice in your case. While a criminal conviction may offer some solace, an insurance claim or civil lawsuit are the only ways to ensure you are made financially whole again. You should not have to face financial stress and pa yout of your pocket for the damages they caused.
We file insurance claims or lawsuits for our clients in these cases. That could include:
- Personal injury claims for accident victims
- Wrongful death claims for surviving family members of victims who died from their injuries
Types of Recoverable Damages Available in a DUI Accident
The compensation available in a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim includes:
- Medical bills and future care needs
- Lost income and benefits
- Diminished earning ability if you have lasting injuries
- Property damages
- Miscellaneous related expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
Under Ala. Code § 6-5-410, Alabama law only allows families who lost a loved one in a traffic accident to recover punitive damages. These damages penalize the liable party instead of directly compensating surviving family members based on their losses. However, it may be easier in DUI collisions to meet the threshold necessary to show that punitive damages are warranted than it is in many other types of car accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a Drunk Driving Accident lawyer serving Madison, call (800) 537-8185
Our Lawyers Manage Madison DUI Accidents from Our Huntsville Office
With more than 6,500 payouts recovered in 2019 and four decades of experience, the Morris Bart law firm helps clients get the compensation they need based on the facts of their case, including drunk driving accidents. We are a contingency fee law firm. We never ask clients to pay any fees upfront. Instead, our attorneys’ fees come from the compensation we recover for the client.
Our recent case results include a $650,000 award for a client in Monroe, Louisiana, who suffered significant injuries in a crash caused by a drunk driver. This included several broken bones and punctured lungs.
With 15 locations in all, we have offices in Alabama: Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile, and Montgomery. The Huntsville office serves Madison and greater Madison County. This office is located at:
600 Boulevard South-Southwest, Suite 104
Huntsville, AL 35802
Holding a Drunk Driver Legally Responsible for Your Accident
When an intoxicated driver is over the legal limit and gets behind the wheel or takes “actual physical control” of a vehicle, they are guilty of drunk driving under Ala. Code § 32-5A-191. This is the foundation for the criminal case against the motorist who hit you.
Regardless of the outcome of the case–or if they ever face criminal charges at all–victims can take civil action when a driver causes a crash. This is true whether or not you can prove that they were drunk when the collision occurred. You only need to show they acted negligently and caused the accident. This requires proof that:
- The driver had a responsibility to follow all laws and keep others safe
- They drove in a way that did not uphold this responsibility
- This caused the traffic accident
- You suffered physical, emotional, and financial damages
Our drunk driving accident lawyers gather evidence to prove these cases, including:
- Police report
- Medical records
- Witness interviews
- Scene survey
- Accident reconstruction
- Expert reviews
- Documentation of damages
It can be challenging to prove personal injury cases in Alabama because the state recognizes pure contributory negligence. As affirmed by the Alabama Supreme Court in Golden v. McCurry, you cannot recover compensation in your case if you contributed in any way regardless of the actions of the other driver.
Our attorneys can help you fight accusations of shared fault, develop a solid case to support your claim, and seek compensation on your behalf.
Click to contact our Madison Car Accident Attorney today
Most DUI Accident Cases Settle Outside of Court
In most cases, drunk driving accident claims in Madison County settle without going to trial. We can present the evidence to the insurance company and demand a just payout. Especially in cases when we have strong evidence to prove DUI, the insurance company will likely not want to go to court and run the risk of having the jury award you more compensation than they would pay otherwise.
We need to decide if it will be necessary to file suit in your case before the statute of limitations arrives. Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38, this is usually within the first two years after an injury accident or the victim’s death from their injuries. Therefore, we encourage victims to speak with an attorney as early in the process as possible to ensure we meet all necessary deadlines.
In some cases, this could be less than two years. Therefore, we need to assess each case quickly to meet all applicable time limits and protect your right to compensation.
Discuss Your Case with an Attorney from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC for Free
A drunk driving (DUI) accident lawyer can discuss your options for pursuing justice with you today for free. You have rights, and we may be able to help you recover compensation. Our Huntsville office provides complimentary consultations by appointment only.
Call now to receive your free case review.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
