When a drunk driver causes a traffic accident and you sustain injuries as a result, Alabama law allows you to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. You can recover compensation for your accident-related damages, whether or not your case goes to court. A Birmingham DUI lawyer can guide you through the process.
Our DUI lawyers in Birmingham represent victims of accidents caused by negligent motorists who were driving under the influence (DUI). If you or a loved one has been injured, we can protect your rights and guide you through your claim in pursuit of compensation.
Damages You Can Recover in a Birmingham DUI Accident Case
If you were hurt in an accident caused by drunk driving, a DUI attorney in Birmingham from our law firm can help you recover damages. If you choose to work with us, we will seek to recover a payout for the damages we document during our investigation.
Damages you can recover may include:
- Current and future medical care related to your injuries
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damages, including any repairs needed for your vehicle
- Wrongful death damages
- Any relevant out-of-pocket expenses
In some cases, a DUI may also be a felony. When a judge believes a drunk driver’s negligence needs to be punished in civil court, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. This is a rare type of damage that serves as a way to penalize the drunk or impaired driver for acting in a grossly negligent way.
For a free legal consultation with a DUI Accident lawyer serving Birmingham, call 800-537-8185
How Much Is Your DUI Accident Case Worth?
During your free consultation, you can discuss the details of your case with an experienced DUI attorney. To determine the value of your case, our Birmingham DUI lawyer and law team will need to know:
- The extent of your injuries
- Whether you are healed or still recovering
- If your car was damaged in the accident
- Any accident-related expenses you encountered
We can review your case to give you a better understanding of how much your case is worth. Multiple injuries could increase the value of your case. For example, a client of ours was injured by a drunk driver and suffered several fractures: back, ribs, arm, leg, pelvis, and hip. We successfully settled that case for $650,000.
Birmingham DUI Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-537-8185
How Insurance Companies Handle DUI Cases
Our Birmingham DUI lawyers can deal with the insurance company for you. It’s common for the defendant’s insurer to use sneaky tactics, such as:
- Telling the judge that alcohol did not play a factor in your injury
- Denying you were ever injured at all
- Denying the amount you initially claim
- Reaching out to you after the accident in an attempt to use what you say against you
- Offering you a lowball settlement upfront that is paltry when compared to the value of your total losses
Our law firm can communicate with the insurer on your behalf and negotiate with them if your claim gets denied.
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How Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Working with a Birmingham DUI lawyer can help your case. Our lawyers can handle legal responsibilities while you concentrate on your recovery. This can include:
- Pursuing the best compensation
- Handling all communications and casework
- Collecting evidence from the accident and of your damages
- Negotiating and running interference with insurance companies
- Representing you in court
If your family member was killed in a DUI accident, our team of compassionate wrongful death lawyers in Birmingham may be able to help you pursue compensation. By filing a wrongful death claim, the defendant can face additional financial penalties and you can get justice for your loved one.
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Our Birmingham DUI Lawyers Can Help Prove Negligence
To show the other driver was liable for your accident, you need to prove negligence. To accomplish this, you need to show:
- The driver owed you a duty of care, such as obeying traffic laws.
- The driver failed to uphold that obligation, such as running a red light.
- Their failure caused the accident and your injuries.
- You suffered physical injuries and financial losses.
Accordingly, if a drunk driver ran a red light and hit your car, we do not need to prove that they were drunk to establish their negligence—simply that they ran the red light. Our Birmingham DUI attorneys can investigate the cause of your accident and gather evidence to prove your claim.
The Difference Between a Civil Case and a Criminal Case
A driver argues with a police officer over a breathalyzer test. A Birmingham DUI attorney can help if a drunk driver caused an accident that injured you.
Alabama Code §32-5A-191 is the criminal statute that makes it illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other impairing substance. Under this law, if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or above, or if you are impaired to the point that you are incapable of driving safely, you can be arrested for DUI.
Drunk driving is a criminal offense. If the driver who caused your accident was charged with a DUI, they will face criminal charges. Your personal injury case is a completely separate matter.
Recovering compensation on your behalf is a civil matter. While we can use the evidence gathered in the criminal case to support our claim, we do not have to prove the at-fault driver was drunk or impaired.
Birmingham DUI Accident FAQ
If this is your first time being injured in an accident due to another driver’s negligence and criminal behavior, you likely have many questions. A Birmingham DUI accident lawyer answers a few frequently asked questions here.
How Much Does a Birmingham DUI Attorney Cost?
Do All DUI Accident Cases Go to Court?
How Much Does a Birmingham DUI Accident Attorney Cost?
Victims of DUI accidents can file civil claims against the liable party to cover their injuries and related expenses. These fall under the category of personal injury claims. Most people worry about hiring costs for lawyers and expect that any money they receive from their claim will go to the lawyer. But this is not the case.
A DUI accident attorney in Birmingham, AL, will work on a contingency fee basis, much like any other personal injury lawyer. When lawyers work on contingency, they only get paid a portion of any settlement that you win. This gives them an incentive to work hard on your behalf to ensure you get the maximum payout either through settlement negotiations or court awards.
Each lawyer’s contingency fee contract will differ, so the percentage they take will be different as well. But in most cases, a personal injury attorney will take around one-third of your settlement. If your case goes to trial, there may be additional legal fees. If you end up losing your case and not winning a settlement, you will pay no lawyer’s fee.
Do All DUI Accident Cases Go to Court?
Our Birmingham DUI lawyers can help you pursue compensation through an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Most often, DUI accident cases settle out of court. Only about 5% of personal injury lawsuits go to court.
We will negotiate for the payout your case warrants. If a suitable amount cannot be reached, our law firm will represent you in court.
Contact a DUI Attorney in Birmingham, AL, if You’ve Been Injured
Morris Bart & Associates, LLC has years of experience in helping injured car accident victims get the fair compensation they deserve. Someone else caused your injuries, damages, and emotional distress. Hold them accountable.
A DUI lawyer in Birmingham can help you file a claim and get you back on the road to recovery. Contact us by phone or online today.
Questions?Call 800-537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
