While the number of fatalities caused by drunk driving has drastically fallen since 1982, the number of DUI accidents, those involving underage drunk driving especially, is still alarmingly high. Strict laws outline serious consequences for drunk driving—officials want to send a message that getting behind the wheel while you’re under the influence of alcohol is inexcusable. If you or a loved one have fallen victim to a DUI accident, here are a few things a DUI accident lawyer will tell you:
1. There Are Several Laws That Protect Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents:
Drunk driving involves both criminal and civil liabilities. While a state prosecutor presses charges for death, manslaughter, or other felonies and misdemeanors based on the consequences of the accident, a DUI accident lawyer can help victims claim compensation. These attorneys can file injury claims, and they’ll do what it takes to clearly show how your property was damaged, how you lost wages because of the accident, and how you experienced pain and suffering because of the accident. Experienced attorneys can also, in some circumstances, get victims compensation from the institutions that served alcohol to a drunk driver; if they sold to a minor or a person who was clearly intoxicated, for example.
2. Sometimes It Makes Sense to Claim Compensation Before a Criminal Prosecution Begins:
Clear proof is needed when pressing criminal charges against drunk drivers. If you are claiming compensation in a civil case, however, it’s enough for a DUI accident lawyer to prove that the driver was likely intoxicated. But dealing with insurance companies is not easy. A DUI accident lawyer can tell you the strengths of your DUI accident injury case and give you a clear evaluation.
3. The Best Way to Avoid a DUI Is to Avoid Drinking While Driving:
If you refuse to take a breathalyzer test, your license may be suspended. While it’s true a prosecutor must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, a driver’s blood-alcohol level being over 0.08% at the time they received the citation is proof enough that they were driving under the influence.
Call Jarrett Blakeley of Blakeley Law Firm if you or a loved one was injured in a DUI accident – we’ll help you understand your rights.