Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, NC
No matter how many state and federal initiatives are released to the general public, irresponsible individuals continue to choose to get behind the wheel intoxicated. Suppose you are driving home one evening when an erratic, drunk driver strikes your vehicle. In that case, you could sustain significant injuries that could prevent you from working and caring for your family for an unknown period of time. At Edwards Injury Law, we believe drunk driving accident victims deserve the best chance at recovery. We’re here to help you take legal action to hold the drunk driver accountable for their actions and your losses.
How Common Is Drunk Driving in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) higher than .08%. If someone is caught driving under the influence, they can face civil and criminal consequences. Even with state and national initiatives to reduce drunk driving, thousands of crashes happen in North Carolina every year. In the last reported statistics, the following alcohol-related accidents occurred throughout North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation:
- 11,475 crashes involved drivers under the influence of alcohol.
- 412 accidents were fatal.
- 7,426 crashes resulted in injuries.
While drunk driving is illegal in every state, state governments establish their own consequences for drunk drivers. In North Carolina, there is a five-level system, with level one being the most serious and level five being the least. Punishments across the board include license suspension or revocation, fines, and jail time. Anyone who causes an accident that injures someone else because they were under the influence of alcohol is subject to a $4,000 fine and a minimum jail sentence of 30 days, and a maximum of two years.
If you have been involved in a crash with a drunk driver, Edwards Injury Law is here to stand up for your rights and ensure the negligent driver is held accountable for their actions. The sooner you get in touch with us, the more time we will have to build a strong claim on your behalf.
What Are the Consequences Drunk Driving Accident Victims Face?
As with any car accident, drunk driving crashes can result in significant losses. Drunk driving accident victims may cope with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial losses.
Common physical injuries accident victims sustain include broken bones, whiplash, sprains and strains, contusions, lacerations, head injuries, back injuries, and internal damage. It can take weeks, months, or longer to fully recover. Some injuries can result in permanent disabilities.
In addition to the physical injuries, drunk driving accidents can result in significant mental trauma. Victims may experience mood changes, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and more. Accidents resulting in severe injuries or death can have a higher chance of causing post-traumatic stress disorder. An accident victim may need to seek counseling to begin moving forward.
The financial losses from a drunk driving crash are often significant. In addition to vehicle and property damage, there will also be medical bills. If a victim’s injuries are so severe they cannot work, lost wages may also come into play. Fortunately, filing an injury claim can allow you to seek compensation for those losses and more.
What To Do If You’ve Been Injured by a Drunk Driver?
The steps you take after a drunk driving accident could impact your future in terms of both your health and a personal injury claim. There are a few key things you need to be sure to do after the accident:
- Move to safety and call 911: Getting you and any passengers out of harms way is the top priority. Once in a safe location, call 911 to report the accident and request a police officer and an ambulance if needed. Make sure the accident it reported, as it is crucial evidence for your claim.
- Document the scene: If you are able, take photos and videos of the accident. Try to include all vehicles, any property damage, and the surrounding area. Make sure you also note the other driver’s behavior.
- Exchange insurance information: An intoxicated driver could become belligerent or hostile, so it may be important to limit interactions with them. Simply exchange insurance information and wait for police to handle the situation further.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you do not feel pain or see any injuries, you should still go to a doctor as soon as possible as some accident injuries have delayed symptoms. Additionally, this will provide a record of your injuries which is important evidence for your claim.
- Collect witness information: If anyone stopped to help or saw the crash, get their name and numbers as their testimony could be key in backing up your account
After you have had some time to recover, it is time to consider getting in touch with a drunk driving accident lawyer. We are well-versed in drinking and driving laws in North Carolina, and we are prepared to represent drunk driving accident victims.
What Is the Process for Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Injury Claim?
Once you have scheduled a consultation with a personal injury lawyer, you can prepare all of your collected documentation from your accident. That may include medical records, statements, bills, wage statements, receipts, photos, videos, and contact information for witnesses. Your attorney will use the evidence you collected in conjunction with their investigation to determine how and why the crash occurred.
Personal injury claims are built on the concept of negligence. Your attorney will help you construct a case that proves the opposing driver owed you a duty of care, breached their duty, and, as a result, you sustained injuries and financial losses. Once you prove negligence, you and your lawyer can file your claim through insurance.
You may have the opportunity to partake in negotiations with the insurance company. It is important to note that the adjuster or representative you work with will try to reduce any settlement offer you receive. Your lawyer will advise you what your case is worth, so you don’t settle for less than you are owed.
How a Charlotte DUI Accident Lawyer Can Help
As a veteran- and black-owner law firm, Edwards Injury Law believes all injury victims deserve quality legal representation–no matter the financial circumstances, background, or prognosis. Drunk driving accident victims are often forced to cope with physical injuries, mental trauma, and financial losses that all could have been prevented. If you are in a situation where you have been injured and are looking to recover compensation for your losses, we can help. contact our law firm today to learn more.
Car Accident FAQs
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