Drunk driving is a public health hazard, and drunk drivers injure many people in Catawba County each year.
If you have been injured in a crash with a drunk driver, a Hickory car accident lawyer from CR Legal Team can help. We can file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver to recover money for your injury-related losses.
Our Legal Team has been a reliable name for legal representation in North Carolina for over 35 years and has served hundreds of thousands of clients. Contact our offices today to discuss your case with a DUI accident lawyer serving Hickory.
Why You Need a Hickory Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
A regular car accident is bad enough, but dealing with a drunk driving accident can reach new heights of frustration. Drunk drivers often speed and drive recklessly, so DUI accidents can cause exceptionally severe injuries. Drunk driving can also trigger a criminal investigation, which adds an additional wrinkle in the process of recovering compensation.
A Hickory personal injury lawyer can be your advocate and provide legal support from day one of the claims process.
A DUI accident attorney can gather evidence, organize medical records, and manage communications between you and insurers. They can also represent you in insurance settlement negotiations and, if necessary, a formal civil trial.
Drunk Driving Is a Form of Negligence
Drunk driving is a form of negligence, and drunk drivers can be held legally liable for the injuries they cause. When a driver gets behind the wheel while impaired, they violate their legal duty to operate a vehicle safely. If that violation harms another person, the injured party may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover their accident-related losses.
In some cases, the impaired driver may not be the only party who bears responsibility. North Carolina recognizes dram shop liability, which allows injured victims to pursue claims against licensed alcohol-serving establishments, such as bars or restaurants, that continued to serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused a crash.
Understanding who may share responsibility for a drunk driving accident is an important part of building a strong claim. A Hickory DUI accident lawyer can review the details of your case and identify all potentially liable parties.
Compensation You Can Recover in a DUI Accident Lawsuit
The point of a drunk driving accident lawsuit is to make up for all your injury-related losses. This includes both the short- and long-term losses associated with treating and living with your injuries.
Medical Bills and Future Medical Expenses
Most importantly, a lawsuit will pay for your emergency medical bills and necessary future medical expenses, like prescription medications or rehabilitative therapy.
You’ll need ample proof of your condition to claim medical expenses, so get as much medical documentation as possible.
Lost Work Income and Employment Compensation
You can also recover money for any income you lost as a result of missing work or losing your job. This includes hourly pay or salary, expected bonuses, commissions, tips, and other forms of compensation (e.g., PTO, sick pay, and health benefits).
Reduced Lifetime Earning Capacity
Your injuries may require you to switch to a lower-paying job or change careers. A lawsuit can compensate you for these differences in your pre- and post-injury lifetime expected earnings.
Pain and Suffering
You can also recover compensation for the various non-economic losses your injuries caused. This includes money for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
Click to contact our Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Hickory today.
We Can Pursue Punitive Damages Against Drunk Drivers
North Carolina law also authorizes awarding additional punitive damages in personal injury cases where the defendant acted with fraud, malice, or willful and wanton conduct. Punitive damages are meant to punish the offender and prevent future bad behavior, not compensate the victim for losses.
Drunk driving is a serious criminal violation and often meets the legal threshold for willful and wanton conduct. A Hickory drunk driving lawyer can argue in your case for punitive damages to recover the maximum possible compensation.
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Time Limit for Pursuing a Drunk Driving Accident Claim
The personal injury statute of limitations in North Carolina gives you three years to file a lawsuit against a drunk driver. Alternatively, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit for a fatal drunk driving accident. The three-year and two-year timers start counting on the accident date and date of death, respectively.
These time limits are extremely strict and have very few exceptions, so you shouldn’t delay. Every day you wait, it will become harder to connect your injuries to the accident and prove the extent of your losses. A Hickory DUI accident attorney can ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements.
Contact Our Offices Today to Speak to a DUI Accident Lawyer Serving Hickory
A drunk driving accident can change your life forever in an instant, but there are options for relief. You deserve a chance to hold liable parties accountable and make up for the losses you have suffered.
CR Legal Team can provide the legal support and guidance necessary to secure funds for your healing and rebuilding.
Reach out to our firm online or call us by phone today to schedule a free case consultation with a Hickory DUI accident attorney. We Stand Up For You®.
