Recovering Damages From a Drunk Driver

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Drunk drivers are rampant, deadly, and costly.
According to the National Traffic Safety Administration, over 10,000 people died in accidents involving alcohol-impaired driving in 2010 and these drivers cause over $37 billion a year in damages.
If you were injured or if you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver, you deserve compensation for their reckless actions, but recovering these damages can be complicated.
Reviewing the various factors involved reveals that an attorney specializing in drunk driving cases is helpful, if not necessary in such cases: Uninsured or Underinsured Drivers Some drivers may be uninsured or underinsured, which makes recovering adequate damages from them more complicated.
If the driver that injured you or a loved one is lacking sufficient insurance coverage, you should contact an attorney immediately in order to help receive maximum compensation and to explore other options for receiving compensation, such as a civil case against the drunk driver.
Criminal Cases and Civil Cases Any drunk driver involved in an accident will be held responsible in criminal court.
What the criminal case reveals could aid in any civil case that is also pressed against the drunk driver.
DUI attorneys are skilled in utilizing the findings of criminal cases to aid in civil cases against a drunk driver.
Punitive and Compensatory Damages Compensatory damages are usually recovered through an insurance claim against the drunk driver.
These damages can cover medical bills, damaged property, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering.
If you have suffered a long term disability from your accident, such as a traumatic brain injury, your compensation should cover the long term costs of the disability.
Settlements with insurance companies can be negotiated, and an attorney can help you receive sufficient damages.
In addition, some states allow for punitive damages against the drunk driver.
Punitive damages are meant to monetarily punish a driver as a way of dissuading future behavior.
Wrongful Death Suit If you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver, you are eligible to bring a wrongful death suit against the at-fault driver.
Wrongful death suits attempt to compensate victims' families for their loss of companionship, loss family wages, and loss of long term financial security through monetary reimbursement.
These suits are subject to certain limited timeframes after the death has occurred and can only be filed by certain related parties.
A lawyer who specializes in wrongful death suits in your state can help you navigate the intricacies of these cases.
The worst part of recovering damages from a drunk driver is that the task must be completed while you should be recovering from your injuries or your painful and unexpected loss of a loved one.
An attorney specializing in DUI cases can make recovering damages much easier on you and your family They will be familiar with the complications of DUI cases They will make sure that criminal cases work in you civil case's favor They will make sure insurance claims are adequate for your losses.
They will know how to handle underinsured drivers.
While monetary compensation earned by your attorney can't always make your life normal again, it can help give you the resources you and your family need to make an adequate recovery.
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