Drunk driving accidents claim tens of thousands of lives each year, and injure hundreds of thousands more as well. These collisions are often more devastating than other types of car crashes, primarily because the inebriated driver is not in control of their actions, and thus, their vehicle. If you have been injured by a driver who was severely intoxicated or have lost a loved one in this type of accident, you have the right to recover damages from the guilty party who caused the drunk driving accident and receive compensation. The specific types of compensation you can expect as a result of this incident are discussed below.
Damages in Drunk Driving Accidents
As is the case in any auto accident, you, as the victim, have the right to hold the negligent driver responsible for the harm they inflicted upon you. This “harm” can take many forms, from physical injuries to property damage, and even emotional trauma. The only fortunate thing about drunk driving cases is that they tend to be much clearer concerning liability than most other vehicle collisions. This slightly eases the burden of requesting damages from the defendant.
This increased clarity is due to the types of evidence surrounding these cases. For example, the police report will clearly reflect the driver’s BAC (blood-alcohol content), and arrest records will be available as well. These documents leave little room for doubt concerning your innocence. Still, you must present evidence outlining your specific needs for compensation, as you cannot secure funds without a genuine reason.
For this, you must first be familiar with what types of damages qualify for monetary recompense. These include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Bodily injury
- Wrongful death
- Lost wages
- Lowered earning capacity
- Property damage
Although you do have the benefit of the evidence mentioned above, you must still prove the driver’s fault and responsibility to behave safely on the road to recover the listed damages. This entails the collection of evidence such as:
- Expert testimonies (medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, etc.)
- Witness testimonies
- Surveillance footage
- Audio recordings of 911 calls
- Medical records
Further, your lawyer will help you prove that the inebriated driver had a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely and that they violated this duty by consuming alcohol to a level that exceeded the legal limit. They will investigate your driving behavior during the crash as well, in case there is any chance that the jury will assign you partial liability. This is central to your case, as the partial fault may reduce the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer to Secure Your Compensation
Unfortunately, there is no set amount that you can expect in compensation from a drunk driving accident. Each accident differs in severity and liability, so the amount you are entitled to may be drastically different from another victim.
No matter what, you can trust that your lawyer will do everything in their power to defend your rights as a victim, and secure precisely the amount of money you need to restore your health and sense of normalcy. To initiate your case against the negligent driver who harmed you, contact a car accident lawyer today.
