In the state of Louisiana, drunk driving or driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) is a serious offense. People who choose to drive while intoxicated put their own lives and the lives of others at enormous risk. When someone operates a car with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% (the legal limit nationwide) or higher, their brain function, thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination are impaired, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
If you have been involved in an accident with a drunk driver or someone driving under the influence, you have the right to hold that person responsible for your losses.
The team at Morris Bart, LLC, is here to help. We offer a free, no-risk consultation for victims of DUI accidents. We also work on a contingency basis, which means that we are only paid if we are successful with your case.
Contact Morris Bart, LLC today at (318) 416-0089 to find out what options you have for recovering your losses after a DUI accident.
More Information About Drunk Driving and its Impacts
According to 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.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) estimates that 1,001,329 drivers were arrested in 2018 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
For a free legal consultation with a DUI lawyer serving Alexandria, call 800-537-8185
Types of Injuries That Occur in DUI Accidents
There are a lot of injuries that can occur as the result of a car accident. Some possible ones 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.
If you or your loved one suffered from any of the above injuries, or others, please reach out to Morris Bart, LLC at (318) 416-0089.
Alexandria DUI Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
How the Statute of Limitations Impacts Your Case
Unlike many states, which give victims several years to pursue compensation after an accident, Louisiana Civil Code 3492 says that anyone who intends to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit must file their claim within one year 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 one year, or you will most likely be barred from recovering any type of compensation.
Click to contact our Alexandria Personal Injury Lawyers today
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, hospital stays, surgical procedures, doctor’s examinations, medication, and assistive devices
- 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 the details.
We May Be Able to Help You File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
In some cases, the worst-case scenario happens, and you lose someone you love. 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.
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.
How an Alexandria DUI 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 in order 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
If you are ready to get started now or would just like to take advantage of our free, no-risk consultation, contact Morris Bart, LLC, today at (318) 416-0089.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
