If a drunk driver struck you, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and pain and suffering. While financial damages alone may not be enough to make up for the challenges you are facing as a result of the accident, filing a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver who caused the accident will hold that person responsible for your pain and suffering.
At the Morris Bart law firm, our team of attorneys is ready to represent your interests in court. We also can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf, seeking compensation for your injuries. Call us at (225) 341-5694 today.
How Driving Under the Influence Works
Driving under the influence (DUI) laws in Louisiana do not distinguish whether a person has taken drugs or drank alcohol. Both substances are treated the same under Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) §14:98.
The terms DUI and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are frequently used interchangeably in the state of Louisiana. A driver with a blood alcohol concentration (or BAC) of 0.08% or more may be guilty of drunken driving or driving under the influence of drugs. Those with significantly higher BACs or those who have previously been convicted of DUI could face harsher penalties.
Additionally, in Louisiana, a person can be charged with drunken driving even when they are not operating a traditional motor vehicle, such as a car. The types of vehicles in which someone could receive a drunken driving charge include:
- Cars
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Other motor vehicles on a roadway
- Aircraft
- Boats
- Other watercrafts
If any of these types of motor vehicles struck you and you suffered injuries, you have the right to seek damages from the driver and their insurance company.
For a free legal consultation with a DUI Accident lawyer serving Baton Rouge, call 800-537-8185
Driving Errors Made While Drunk
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s article on drunken driving, a driver who is near, at, or above the legal BAC limit may begin to lose their motor coordination and judgment, which directly affects safety on the road. This impairment can result in a dangerous crash, which is why drunk driving laws and penalties are so severe.
Some of the most common errors a drunk driver makes while behind the wheel include:
- Failing to maintain a lane
- Failing to stay on the roadway
- Crossing the centerline
- Driving the wrong way on a one-way road or interstate
- Failing to drive at a consistent speed by speeding up and slowing down for no reason
- Driving at slower speeds than expected
- Failing to turn on headlights at night
- Failing to use a turn signal
- Sitting far too long at a stoplight after it turns green
If you see another driver exhibiting these signs, you should immediately call law enforcement.
Spotting a Drunk Driver After a Crash
If you suspect the person who caused your crash was drunk or under the influence of drugs, there are a few signs that indicate they were, including:
- Slurred speech
- An inability to maintain balance
- Red and bloodshot eyes
- A distinct odor of alcohol on the breath or clothing
- A distinct odor of marijuana
- Open alcohol containers inside the vehicle
Proving Negligence
If law enforcement charged the driver who struck you with DUI, they could be facing jail time, fines, and a suspended license.
Even if the driver was not officially charged in the crash, you can still bring a personal injury lawsuit against them. You simply have to prove negligence on the part of the other driver. Even a small amount of alcohol in their system could cause a person to make a mistake while driving, which fits the definition of negligence.
A Baton Rouge DUI lawyer will look into the facts of your case to determine if the other driver’s use of alcohol or drugs affected the accident. At the Morris Bart law firm, we can help you with all the legal aspects of your case. Call us at (225) 341-5694 for a free consultation.
Baton Rouge DUI Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
Common Injuries in a Drunken Driving Crash
When a drunk driver operates their vehicle recklessly, any crash they cause can be especially serious.
Some of the most common injuries in a drunken-driving accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries(TBIs)
- Disfigurement
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Internal organ injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Bleeding from cuts
- Ligament damage
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis from neck or spinal cord injuries
Furthermore, if a loved one died as a result of the crash, you have the right to bring a wrongful death case against the drunk driver, holding him or her responsible for your loved one’s death.
Click to contact our Baton Rouge Car Accident Lawyers today
Call for a Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries in an accident with a driver who had been drinking or taking drugs, you have the right to seek a fair settlement for your medical bills, as well as your pain and suffering.
As Baton Rouge DUI lawyers, we know that drunk drivers often cause some of the most devastating accidents. In 2019, the Louisiana Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) data reports recorded 260 alcohol-related fatal crashes.
At the Morris Bart law firm, we will work on your behalf. Call us today at (225) 341-5694 for a free consultation. If you choose to hire us, we will be ready to begin working for you immediately.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
