Few roadway hazards are more dangerous than impaired drivers. The risk of an accident increases dramatically when a motorist is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. When these accidents happen, a car accident lawyer might be able to help you seek compensation.
If you were hurt in an accident with a drunk driver, you should act quickly. The sooner you seek out legal counsel to assist with your personal injury case, the better your chances of success could be. A Bartlett, TN drunk driving accident lawyer from our team at Cory Watson Attorneys can advocate for you throughout the legal process.
What Damages Are Available in a Bartlett Drunk Driving Accident Case?
There are two general categories of damages available in drunk driving accident cases, and you could be entitled to recover both of them. These types of damages are known as economic and non-economic damages.
If you are injured in an accident, recovering economic damages can put you in the same financial position you were in before the accident. This involves paying to repair your damaged vehicle, recouping lost wages, and covering your medical expenses.
Non-economic damages do not replace your financial losses. Instead, these damages exist to compensate you for the hard-to-measure, subjective losses common with these accidents. Some of the most common forms of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and disfigurement.
How Can a Bartlett Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Help?
Success in a drunk driving injury case is never guaranteed. While impaired drivers should face the consequences for any accidents they cause, injury victims first must prove to the court that the other party was impaired and that impairment directly caused the accident. Many steps go into successful injury lawsuits, and a Bartlett drunk driving attorney from our firm could take care of all of them.
Investigating the Accident
Investigations are an important part of any personal injury case, but they are critical in situations where drunk drivers are at fault for an accident. Proving a driver was impaired can be challenging, even if there is little doubt in your mind they were under the influence at the time of the crash. Our firm could research and gather evidence that they were impaired while also determining what your case is worth.
Tracking Criminal Proceedings
The outcome of a criminal case could impact your lawsuit. If the drunk driver was arrested and charged with DUI, our firm could track the results of the driver’s criminal case and keep you updated on its status. If the case ends in conviction, your Bartlett drunk driving car accident lawyer could obtain an official copy of the judgment for use in your civil case.
Negotiating on Your Behalf
Our firm can often negotiate a settlement with the impaired driver’s insurance company. These settlements can occur after weeks, months, or years of negotiating. Not every settlement offer is worth accepting, and our firm will ensure you are treated fairly in this process.
Litigating Your Case
While most of these cases settle, litigation can be a part of a drunk driving accident case. Sometimes, a settlement only occurs after a lawsuit is filed. In other cases, a trial might be the only way to get the outcome you deserve. Our Bartlett drunk driving attorneys are prepared to pursue either option.
How Does a Criminal DUI Charge Impact My Case?
Driving under the influence (DUI) is a criminal offense. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, different DUI charges carry various penalties. Even first-time offenders might face suspension of their driver’s license, jail time, and fines.
It is important to understand that any criminal proceedings for the drunk driver will be handled separately from your personal injury case. In fact, you have the right to pursue an injury lawsuit even if the drunk driver was not charged with a crime. However, a criminal conviction could impact your case, as it could be used as evidence of negligence.
Negligence is the key issue of your personal injury case. To be entitled to damages, you must establish that the other party acted carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally in a way that resulted in your injury. Establishing that the other driver was drunk when they caused your accident is strong evidence of negligence—regardless of the outcome in the criminal case.
Our Lawyers Fight for Drunk Driving Victims in Bartlett
Our team at Cory Watson Attorneys is proud to serve as advocates for the injured, especially those harmed by the careless actions of drunk drivers. We understand what it takes to hold these negligent drivers accountable, and our case results reflect our success in recovering compensation for the injured.
Our firm also believes that no one should lose their opportunity to hold a drunk driver accountable for an accident due to financial concerns. That is why we handle these injury cases on a contingency basis. This allows our Bartlett drunk driving car accident attorneys to pursue your case without the need for you to pay any fees upfront.
Instead, we will keep a part of the compensation we recover on your behalf as our fee. This means you will never pay us anything unless we are successful in your case. Our firm carries the risk, while you only pay if you receive damages through a settlement or trial verdict.
You Could Be Entitled to Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident in Bartlett, TN
The consequences of a drunk driving accident are often significant. From severe injuries to long-lasting pain, you could live with the consequences for the rest of your life. While a monetary award cannot undo the damage, it could provide financial resources that allow you to live comfortably and address your needs.
Our team at Cory Watson Attorneys is ready to fight for you. We know what it takes to hold drunk drivers accountable for their reckless actions. To learn more about how a Bartlett, TN drunk driving accident lawyer could help you, contact us for a free consultation.