Richmond Drunk Driving Car Accident Attorney
According to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, there were 240 alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities in the state of Virginia in 2018. Even when death is not the outcome, drunk driving impairs a driver so much that crashes frequently result, and often those crashes involve innocent victims whose lives are forever changed from the event. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident where you know or suspect the other driver was impaired, it is time to contact a Richmond drunk driving car accident attorney who can handle your personal injury case.
Common Injuries Sustained in Drunk Driving Collisions
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Whiplash;
- Lacerations;
- Contusions;
- Fractured limb;
- Spinal cord injuries, resulting in paralysis;
- Fractured vertebrae;
- Disc injuries;
- Burns;
- Permanent scarring;
- Torn tendons and cartilage; and
- More.
Drunk Drivers are More Likely to Survive Than the Victims They Maim
Unfortunately, drunk drivers often fare better than the victims they hit. According to Live Science, a recent study found that intoxicated people are more likely to survive traumatic injuries than those who are not inebriated. In fact, “at the upper bounds of intoxication, mortality rates were cut by nearly 50 percent.” While a drunk driver will essentially suffer the same injuries in a wreck as a non-drunk driver, according to the study, the drunk driver is more likely to survive those injuries, while the sober party is more likely to die. The spouse, children, and parents of victims killed by DUI drivers have the right to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party, which our attorneys can handle.
What Damages Compensation Can Cover
Depending on your injuries and the projected outcome of your recovery, you may be able to file a lawsuit that seeks damages for the following:
- Pain and suffering;
- Medical expenses and projected costs;
- Property damage;
- Lost wages;
- Lost earning capacity due to disability;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress; and
- More.
Do Not Discuss Your Case With the Other Party’s Insurance Company
While it may seem harmless, as the intoxication of the other driver may be a clear sign of negligence, you should never discuss your case with the other party directly, or with their insurance company. The insurance adjuster may use two methods to reduce your claim’s value, or stop the claim altogether. The first is to attribute partial blame, or liability, on you via Virginia’s pure contributory negligence doctrine. The second way that an adjuster can reduce your payout is to claim that your damages are not as serious as you say. This can be done by downplaying your injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and other financial and non-financial damages.
Contact a Richmond Personal Injury Attorney with Experience Handling Drunk Driving Crashes
If you were involved in a traffic collision with a drunk driver, do not assume that you will be fairly compensated merely by being patient and polite. You need to work with an experienced attorney who will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served, and that you are compensated for what you are owed. To get started today, call the experienced Richmond drunk driving car accident lawyers at MichieHamlett to schedule a free consultation.
