A serious car accident can catch you off guard and turn your life upside down in a single moment. When the crash is caused by a drunk driver, it can be all the more traumatizing. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a reckless act that demonstrates total disregard for the well-being of others.
Regrettably, drunk driving continues to cause significant injury and death nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes. Unlike other kinds of accidents, injuries and deaths caused by drunk drivers are preventable.
Drunk driving victims in Manchester deserve compensation for what they have gone through. However, handling insurance claims and lawsuits involving drunk drivers can be tricky.
Below, we will discuss the legal consequences of drunk driving in New Hampshire and what kind of restitution can be made to the victims in such an incident. We will then consider what is involved in holding a driver accountable for a DUI accident and how a personal injury lawyer can help you.
Under New Hampshire law, it is illegal to drive a vehicle if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. In the case of a commercial driver, the legal limit is 0.04 percent, and for a person under the age of 21, the limit is 0.02 percent. If a driver has a BAC at or above the legal limit, he or she will likely be immediately arrested in the event of an accident.
Further, New Hampshire has an implied consent law in place. As a condition of getting a driver’s license, the recipient agrees to submit to testing to determine blood alcohol concentration during a police stop or after an accident.
The results of the breathalyzer test and other physical testing can be submitted as evidence in any civil or criminal action brought against the allegedly drunk driver. If a driver refuses to submit to the alcohol concentration test, there could be additional legal repercussions.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other illegal substances is not a trivial matter; drivers must be held accountable for their actions. There are often steep penalties for the guilty driver.
Depending on the severity of the accident and the driver’s history, some potential consequences for a DUI conviction include:
Law enforcement officials and state attorneys often file the charges that result in the penalties listed above. In addition, drunk driving victims can file personal injury claims against the negligent driver. In this way, the drunk driver can be held liable for your damages.
An individual impaired by alcohol may have reduced reaction time and coordination loss when he or she gets behind the wheel. When drivers are in this state, it is just an accident waiting to happen. It is not unusual for the innocent drunk driving victim to suffer severe injuries in the car crash.
Injuries commonly seen in a drunk driving collision include:
Such injuries are significant and may require extensive medical treatment. Many DUI accident victims choose to take legal action against the responsible driver after suffering severe harm. In this way, you too can seek compensation for your medical expenses and other personal losses associated with the accident.
As stated, drunk driving accidents can result in serious injuries that negatively impact your life for the foreseeable future. When pursuing a personal injury claim, the goal is to seek adequate compensation to meet your long-term needs and that of your family.
Following a drunk driving accident, you may be able to seek compensation for such things as:
Such losses can be devastating. Because of one person’s reckless decision to get in the driver’s seat while impaired, your life may be forever changed. A personal injury lawyer can help you identify all the damages you have suffered as a result of the DUI accident and what types of compensation you may be eligible to pursue.
Victims of drunk driving accidents have various options open to them if they wish to pursue compensation from the responsible party.
You may seek to recover damages through such means as:
Drunk driving accident claims can grow complicated, and fast. Depending on the available evidence in your case, resolving the claim in your favor may not be straightforward. Thus, it is in your best interest to consult with a personal injury lawyer, experienced in DUI accident cases. He or she can evaluate the facts of your accident and lay a solid foundation on which to build your injury claim against the other driver.
If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident and are considering pursuing a personal injury claim, there are several ways you can help your lawyer and improve your chances of a favorable judgment, including:
Taking such steps can help to preserve important evidence that will help your DUI accident attorney clearly establish liability for the incident and demonstrate your right to monetary compensation.
Being hit by a drunk driver can be both harrowing and maddening. In the aftermath of such an event, your personal injury lawyer can advocate for your legal rights. He or she will focus on establishing fault and building a robust DUI claim so you can focus on your treatment and recovery.
A personal injury lawyer can aid you in several important ways, including the following:
It is advantageous to seek legal counsel as soon as possible if you wish to hold a drunk driver accountable after an accident. When you have suffered because of someone else’s negligent and reckless decision, a personal injury lawyer will go to bat for you, fighting tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve.
A motor vehicle collision involving someone driving under the influence of alcohol can be absolutely devastating. It is imperative that the drunk driver be held accountable for his or her actions. Doing so will do much to compensate you for your pain and suffering and hopefully protect other innocent Manchester drivers from falling victim to a similar accident.
Pursuing a legal claim against a drunk driver can be an exhausting and emotionally taxing experience. There is no reason to go it alone. You have every right to have a compassionate and committed legal advocate on your side.
The dedicated personal injury attorneys of Kiley Law Group have been helping New England accident and injury victims successfully resolve injury claims and settle lawsuits for over 40 years. We have the know-how and resources to hold drunk drivers accountable and maximize your ability to recover just compensation for all you have endured.
Please call the Kiley Law Group office in Manchester today at (603) 825-4939 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Learn what our skilled legal team can do for you.