Injured in a Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver? We may be able to help!
Call us today at 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763) to discuss the facts of your case, and learn the options available to you moving forward.
It’s estimated that over 10,000 lives are lost every year due to drunk driving, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of people who are seriously injured. Drunk drivers that choose to get behind the wheel put the lives of other road users at risk, and they more-often-than-not tend to be repeat offenders with a history of similar behavior.
The drunk driving accident attorneys at 1-800-ATTORNEY can help ensure that you’re fairly compensated by the insurance company. We will handle all communication with the insurance company moving forward, while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Our attorneys take these types of cases on contingency, meaning you never pay a penny in attorneys fees unless we actually win you compensation.
Do Not Let the Insurance Company Take Advantage of You
Our car accident attorneys understand the position you’re in, and are well-equipped to help ensure that you have the best chance at recovering the compensation you’re owed. Some insurance companies will attempt to deny your claim by saying that they do not cover claims caused by “illegal acts” such as drinking and driving. Of course once you hire an attorney, they know this tactic isn’t going to work.
Sometimes the insurance company will offer a settlement soon after the crash, but understand that this is a strategic move on their part. If they convince you to accept the settlement, you also waive your right to pursue any further compensation from them. If later you discover that you’ll require surgery or physical therapy, the costs will unfortunately fall to you. This is why it’s vitally important that you NEVER—under any circumstances—even entertain a settlement offer until AFTER you’ve completed treatment. If you’re struggling financially during this time, express this to your attorney and ask for their advice.
Was the Drunk Driver Over-Served at a Bar or Restaurant?
Many people are surprised to learn that in addition to a claim against the drunk driver, they may have a valid claim against the bar, restaurant, club or drinking establishment which negligently (and illegally) over-served the drunk driver. Serving alcohol is a privilege for businesses; not a right. As such, they must follow a strict set of rules regarding how and when they’re allowed to serve alcohol, and any violation of these rules opens them up to liability.
Almost every state has enacted “dram shop” laws, which define an alcohol provider’s liability in cases where someone is injured or wrongfully killed as the result of a drunk driving wreck. The goal isn’t to remove blame from the drunk driver, but to also hold businesses responsible for illegal acts they committed which enabled and contributed to the incident.
Dram shop laws place the responsibility of ensuring patrons aren’t served past the point of obvious intoxication on the restaurant or bar. That is to say, these businesses are legally required to cut a patron off once they become intoxicated, and cannot serve alcohol in quantities which would reasonably put a person past the point of intoxication.
Dram shop laws vary from state to state, so it’s important that you discuss your options with an attorney experienced in DWI accidents. For a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-ATTORNEY.
