Regardless of where you go in the U.S., drunk driving is illegal. Unfortunately, millions of people ignore these laws on a daily basis by driving while under the influence of alcohol. When they do so, accidents tend to happen.
If you are reading this, there is a chance you were injured in such an accident. If so, a Dublin drunk driving accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates can help you get compensation for your damages.
Drunk Driving Statistics in the U.S.
When a person drinks alcohol, they lose their ability to function normally. The impairment affects their ability to reason, think, and properly coordinate themselves physically. One of these impairments alone would significantly impact one’s ability to drive, but together, you have a recipe for disaster.
Because drinking alcohol increases the chances that an accident will occur, drinking and driving is illegal in every state. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one person dies in a drunk-driving crash every 45 minutes. That is 32 people per day when you do the math.
In 2020 alone, 11,654 people died in drunk-driving-related accidents. Every one of these deaths could have been prevented if the drivers did not choose to drive while drunk.
Get the strong arm
Holding Drunk Drivers Responsible
If alcohol is available in an area, people will eventually choose to drive after drinking it. This is a sad fact of reality. This truth means people will go on to be injured and sometimes killed in drunk driving accidents.
If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, you must hold the drunk driver who hit you responsible by filing a claim against them. A drunk driving accident lawyer in Dublin can help by guiding you through the process.
The criminal justice system exists to hold lawbreakers accountable by levying penalties against them, such as jail time or fines. This will affect them to an extent, but the consequences would be much greater if they were required to compensate you for your damages.
Take matters upon yourself by filing a drunk driving accident claim to seek compensation. But, do not do so without first consulting with a Dublin drunk driving accident attorney. Having a lawyer on your side will ensure that you can maximize the level of compensation you recover.
Drunk Drivers Cause a Variety of Accidents
If you were injured by a drunk driver, you are not alone. These irresponsible drivers frequently cause a number of serious accidents of varying nature. Here are some examples of drunk driving accidents you may have been hurt in:
Being Rear-Ended
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents. These accidents involve one vehicle crashing into the back of another. In a majority of rear-end accident claims, the driver who was following is found responsible for the accident.
This is even more likely to be the case in drunk driving accidents. Though, if a drunk driver acted irresponsibly, causing you to rear-end them, they may still be found liable for the accident.
Sideswiping
Having your vehicle hit on its side by another vehicle can be a shocking and unexpected incident. This type of accident, called a sideswipe, is also very common, especially in drunk driving accidents. Because drunk drivers have less ability to focus, concentrate, and evaluate their surroundings, they are likely to attempt to switch lanes without checking the area surrounding them.
If there is another vehicle to the side of them, an impact will happen. Did this happen to you? Call a Dublin drunk driving accident lawyer to start the process of filing a claim.
Collisions with Pedestrians
Pedestrians are much smaller than most vehicles, so it is often difficult to notice them. This is even more true when it is dark outside. An even worse scenario occurs when drunk drivers approach areas of the road where pedestrians are present.
Alcohol causes side effects like blurred vision and poor concentration, so a drunk driver can easily miss pedestrians that are crossing the road in front of them. Even if they notice the pedestrians soon enough to stop under normal conditions, the alcohol in their system may prevent them from reacting fast enough to avoid an impact.
If you were hit in an accident like this, the damage is likely tremendous. Get justice and compensation by hiring a drunk driving accident attorney in Dublin.
Typical Compensation for Drunk Driving Accident Claims
The amount of compensation you are due following a drunk driving accident varies depending on a number of factors. Certain questions need to be answered before an estimate can be given:
- Were you at fault?
- Was the driver actually intoxicated?
- How badly were you injured?
- Was there significant property damage?
- How much will treatment for your injuries cost?
Knowing the answers to all of these questions will help you identify the true value of your claim. A Dublin drunk driving accident lawyer can help you find your answers and seek full compensation from the party that injured you.
Criminal Consequences Will Not Pay Your Bills
Do not rely on the criminal justice system to take care of your needs after a drunk driving accident injured you. Their job is to prosecute the criminal, not to rectify the damage they have done. The only way you can get justice on your end is by filing a claim for compensation through the civil courts.
While their insurance may refuse to offer you compensation directly for a number of reasons, you will have no chance of recovering compensation at all if you do not file. John Foy & Associates understands how to navigate the civil court system to maximize its clients’ chances of recovering compensation from drunk drivers or their insurance companies. We also have a dedicated support team that will provide you with the care and guidance you need while you recover.
To get started with a free case evaluation, use the contact form on this page.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
