Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a serious offense. Intoxicated drivers put their lives and others’ lives at enormous risk. Motorists with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% (the legal limit nationwide) or higher impair their thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination.
If you have been hurt in a DUI accident, you have the right to hold that person responsible for your losses and injuries and pursue compensation. Our team of Alexandria DUI accident attorneys is here to help. We offer a free, no-risk consultation for DUI accident victims.
Paramedics and firefighters rescue a trapped driver after a wreck. DUI accident attorneys in Alexandria can help you hold a drunk driver responsible for your injuries.
Drunk Driving and Its Impacts
DUI accidents are all too common. Drunk driving accounts for nearly a third of all fatal traffic accidents. According to facts and statistics from the Insurance Information Institute:
- In 2017, nearly 7,000 people were killed in alcohol-impaired accidents.
- In 2018, 27% of drivers involved in fatal crashes were between the ages of 21 and 24, and 25% were between the ages of 25 and 34.
- In 2018, there was a total of 10,511 alcohol-impaired crash fatalities.
This problem isn’t getting any better with time. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 10,142 people were killed by drunk driving in 2019.
For a free legal consultation with a DUI lawyer serving Alexandria, call 800-537-8185
How an Alexandria DUI Accident Lawyer Can Help
We understand how overwhelming a car accident can be, especially if you are hurt and suffering from severe injuries from being in an accident with a drunk driver. But you are not alone.
Our team is here to help answer all of your questions and offer legal advice on how you can pursue compensation to recover your losses. Some specific ways we can help are by:
- Gathering evidence, including police reports, eyewitness statements, and any surveillance video footage
- Obtaining medical records, doctors’ reports, and statements from medical experts regarding the extent of your injuries to calculate the full value of your case
- Building a strong case to pursue compensation to the full extent of your injuries
- Fighting for your rights at court
Simply having someone on your side to handle legal proceedings can be a huge relief. Our law firm can address your concerns and guide you through the process of financial recovery.
Possible Damages You May Recover After a DUI Accident
There is a wide variety of damages you may be entitled to as a result of a DUI accident, although we cannot estimate the value of your claim without first evaluating the details of your case. Some types of damages you could recover after a DUI accident include:
- Medical costs, such as ambulance rides and hospital stays
- Lost wages
- Future wages if you are unable to return to work
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or dismemberment
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs
We may be able to pursue other forms of damages, depending on your circumstances. A DUI accident attorney in Alexandria can review your case for relevant expenses.
You May Qualify for a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
If the worst-case scenario happens, you may lose someone you love to drunk driving. If you lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of an inebriated driver, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Possible recoverable damages in this situation include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical costs left to the family to recover
- Wages and benefits previously provided by the deceased
- Loss of support and protection
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
Other forms of damages may be available to your family as well. Our DUI accident lawyers in Alexandria can advise you on your legal options.
Punitive Damages
Though uncommon, in some cases, the court can award punitive damages—intended to punish the defendant for behavior that the court recognizes as particularly egregious. The fines are often substantial and are designed to discourage the defendant and others from behaving in such a manner ever again.
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How Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations Impacts Your Case
Unlike many states, which give victims several years to pursue compensation after an accident, Louisiana Civil Code 3493.1 says that anyone who intends to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit must file their claim within two years of the date of the accident.
So, if you were involved in a DUI accident and intend to pursue legal action, you must do so within two years, or you will most likely be barred from recovering any type of compensation.
Types of Injuries that Occur in DUI Accidents
There are several injuries that can occur as a result of a DUI accident. Some possible injuries include:
Broken Bones
These injuries can range in severity, depending on the nature of the break. For example, a shattered bone will require extensive healing periods and may impact the victim’s life forever. If the bone pierces the skin, the victim may experience heavy, even life-threatening blood loss. This also creates a risk of infection.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are caused when a blow to the head disrupts normal brain function. Like broken bones, they can range in severity. A victim may experience only a momentary lapse in consciousness, or they may experience long-term disability, including memory loss or functional impairments.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can have a life-long impact on a drunk driving accident victim. They may have trouble walking and experience a loss of sensation and movement below the site of the injury. The majority of people who have spinal cord injuries require assistive devices like wheelchairs.
Internal Bleeding
Internal bleeding can rapidly become a life-threatening injury, especially because victims do not always initially realize they are bleeding internally. Severe hemorrhaging, which can occur in catastrophic drunk driving accidents, can lead to external bleeding, organ failure, coma, or even death.
Any of these injuries can have lasting consequences. If you suffered injuries caused by an impaired driver, an Alexandria DUI accident attorney can help you recover your losses.
Can You Sue a Drunk Driver After an Accident?
Anyone who drives while legally drunk can face criminal penalties because alcohol affects driving abilities. This is a separate matter from your right to sue someone in civil court. Louisiana allows you to file a lawsuit for damages if a negligent driver injured you. To be successful, your lawyer will need to prove:
- The driver owed you a duty of care
- The driver failed to uphold that duty
- That failure caused an avoidable accident
- You suffered injuries or losses because of the accident
Our law firm is experienced in seeking justice for DUI accidents caused by reckless drivers. Our DUI accident attorneys can determine your best path to compensation and whether you should sue the drunk driver who caused your accident.
When Should You Contact a DUI Accident Lawyer?
You should call a lawyer as soon as possible after an accident that causes injuries or significant property damage. Additionally, you should let a lawyer protect your best interests if fault is in question.
Louisiana recognizes that multiple drivers can contribute to causing an accident. If you are assigned a percentage of fault in the accident, your compensation will be affected. Our Alexandria DUI accident lawyers can build a strong case to support your account of events and protect you from being assigned excess fault.
Speak With a DUI Accident Lawyer Today
If you are ready to get started or would just like to take advantage of our free, no-risk consultation, contact Morris Bart. Our DUI accident attorneys in Alexandria can review the details of your case to give you a better understanding of your rights. We’re standing by 24/7, so we can get started on your case right away.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
