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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.