A car accident can mean serious injuries, missed time from work, and the inability to manage ordinary tasks like driving or taking care of the people who depend on you. You may have tremendous debts that linger for years after you have recovered from your injuries.
It doesn’t seem fair when your accident happened due to the actions of someone who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They may face criminal charges, but that doesn’t pay your bills. Our DUI accident lawyers serving Apex will help you hold them financially liable.
CR Legal Team has recovered billions of dollars in jury awards and settlements for injured accident victims. Our mission is to serve our clients with Whole–Person Legal Care™.
Call for your free consultation and learn more about how our car accident lawyer serving Apex can help.
Liability in a DUI Accident Case
A driver who causes an accident while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will face criminal penalties that can include a license revocation, jail time, and thousands of dollars in fines and fees. If you are injured due to their actions, it increases their potential penalties.
However, to recover compensation for your injuries and other damages, you will need to file a separate civil claim. Our personal injury lawyers serving Apex will investigate the accident, compile evidence, and work to show that the drunk driver neglected their duty to drive safely.
While the liable party is typically the intoxicated driver, other entities may have played a role as well, such as an establishment that served a visibly drunk patron or an adult who provided alcohol to someone under 21. We will seek all available sources of compensation.
Contributory Negligence in North Carolina
Even though the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will still need to deal with their insurance company in most cases. Like any personal injury claim, the insurer may look for ways to reduce or deny paying you the compensation you deserve.
One strategy they may use relies on North Carolina’s pure contributory negligence system for accident claims. This states that you may not recover compensation if you are even slightly at fault for the accident, and it makes working with an experienced attorney extremely important.
Our DUI accident attorneys serving Apex know how to push back against unfair claims that could derail your compensation. We will work to hold the driver and their insurer responsible for your damages.
DUI Accident Settlements in North Carolina
DUI civil claims are often settled out of court. This is typically better for all parties and saves you from the stress of a civil trial.
While every case is unique, our drunk driving accident lawyers can often recover compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses you have incurred since the accident
- Future anticipated medical costs
- Lost wages and other benefits
- Property damage
- Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering
We will negotiate for a fair settlement that completely covers your hardships. However, if the insurance company still refuses to do the right thing, we will not back down from a fight. Our drunk driving accident attorneys will file a civil lawsuit on your behalf and let a court decide your award.
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Statute of Limitations for DUI Claims
For a DUI case, the statute of limitations is the same as any other car accident or personal injury claim. The state of North Carolina gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, as outlined in G.S. § 1-52.
In certain situations, you may have a shorter or longer deadline. After you have received medical attention, it’s smart to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Our DUI accident lawyers handling Apex claims can advise you on your specific timeline and help you keep your case on track.
The defendant will likely also face criminal charges, which are separate from your civil case and do not impact your timeline. However, the outcome of the criminal case could potentially impact your civil case.
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Talk to Our DUI Accident Attorneys Serving Apex
All car accidents are stressful and frightening. Even if it wasn’t your fault, you and your family may need to endure major hardships, and it can take a long time until life gets back to normal. It doesn’t seem right that you’d still have debt when another person was at fault.
The person who was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will likely face fines, a license suspension, and jail time, but you can hold them accountable in civil court as well. Our DUI accident attorneys serving Apex will help you recover financial compensation.
Formerly known as Crumley Roberts, CR Legal Team has more than 600 years of combined legal experience, protecting the rights of people injured in accidents due to no fault of their own.
We Stand Up For You®. Call for your free consultation and tell us about your accident.
