Being hit by a drunk driver can change your life in seconds. The fact that the other driver chose to get behind the wheel after drinking can make an already difficult situation even more frustrating. A knowledgeable Bryan drunk driving accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation available for your losses.
At Groth & Associates, our attorneys bring more than 150 years of combined legal experience to cases involving injured people throughout Ohio. Our legal team can investigate the circumstances of your accident and fight for the financial recovery you need. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Bryan car accident lawyer.
Reasons to Act Quickly After a Drunk Driving Accident
Taking prompt action after a collision involving an intoxicated driver can protect your personal injury claim. Evidence connected to alcohol impairment and the accident itself may become more difficult to obtain as time passes. Witnesses can forget important details, surveillance footage may be deleted, and physical evidence from the crash scene can disappear.
Contacting an attorney soon after your accident gives your legal team an opportunity to begin investigating while information is still available. Depending on the circumstances, a Bryan personal injury lawyer may gather evidence such as:
- Police and crash reports
- Results of field sobriety or chemical testing
- Breath or blood alcohol test results
- Officer observations and arrest records
- Photographs and video from the accident scene
- Statements from people who witnessed the crash
- Surveillance or traffic camera footage
- Documentation showing vehicle damage
- Medical records describing your injuries
- Expert accident reconstruction findings
- Evidence regarding where and when the driver consumed alcohol
Acting quickly can also help you avoid problems with Ohio’s legal filing deadlines. Personal injury claims are generally subject to a two-year statute of limitations, meaning that waiting too long to file a lawsuit could prevent you from recovering compensation through the courts.
Certain circumstances may affect the deadline that applies to a particular case. A Bryan drunk driving accident lawyer can review your situation, identify the applicable deadline, and take appropriate steps to protect your right to pursue a claim.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer serving Bryan, call (419) 930-3030
A Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Bryan Can Pursue Compensation on Your Behalf
A collision caused by an impaired driver can result in losses that continue long after the initial accident. Medical treatment may be necessary for weeks, months, or even years. Some people are unable to return to their previous jobs, while others experience lasting physical pain or emotional trauma.
When another person’s wrongful conduct caused your injuries, a Bryan drunk driving accident attorney may pursue compensation for the economic and non-economic harm you have experienced. Depending on the facts of your case, recoverable damages may include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Permanent impairment or disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Because drunk driving involves particularly dangerous conduct, some cases may also present circumstances in which punitive damages are available. These damages differ from compensation, which is intended to repay an injured person for financial and personal losses. Instead, punitive damages may be awarded in limited situations involving especially serious misconduct.
If a drunk driving accident resulted in the death of someone in your family, our wrongful death attorneys can discuss whether a wrongful death claim may be appropriate. Although financial recovery cannot undo the loss of a loved one, it can help surviving family members address funeral expenses, lost income, lost support, and other damages connected to the death.
Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030
Proving Liability After an Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver
The fact that a driver was arrested or charged with operating a vehicle while impaired can be significant evidence, but it does not automatically resolve every issue in a civil injury case. Your attorney must still establish the facts necessary to show that the other party’s conduct caused your injuries and losses.
A successful claim commonly involves proving four necessary elements.
Duty of Care
Every person operating a motor vehicle on roads in Bryan and throughout Ohio has a responsibility to use reasonable care. Drivers are expected to follow traffic laws, pay attention to surrounding conditions, and avoid behavior that creates an unreasonable danger for others.
Breach of Duty
The next issue is whether the responsible party failed to meet the duty of reasonable care.
Driving while intoxicated may constitute a serious breach of that duty. Alcohol can affect judgment, reaction time, coordination, vision, and a driver’s ability to make safe decisions behind the wheel.
Other dangerous conduct may also contribute to a drunk driving collision, including:
- Speeding
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Drifting between lanes
- Driving the wrong way
- Failing to yield
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Distracted driving
- Reckless or aggressive driving
A careful investigation can identify all of the actions that contributed to the accident.
Damages
An injury claim requires evidence that you suffered actual harm as a result of the accident.
Documentation supporting your damages may include medical records, treatment plans, hospital bills, employment information, wage records, vehicle repair estimates, and expert evaluations. In cases involving severe injuries, experts may also help explain the cost of future medical care or the effect an injury could have on your ability to earn a living.
Thorough documentation can help demonstrate the full impact the accident has had on your life.
Causation
Finally, your attorney must establish a connection between the driver’s negligent or wrongful behavior and the collision that caused your injuries.
Insurance companies may try to dispute this connection by arguing that the accident would have occurred regardless of alcohol impairment or claiming that another driver was responsible. A legal team can examine physical evidence, witness testimony, crash reports, and expert opinions to establish how the collision occurred.
How Groth & Associates Can Help After a Drunk Driving Collision
After being injured by a drunk driver, you may be dealing with medical appointments and financial concerns while also receiving calls from insurance representatives. Our firm can handle the legal work involved in your case so you can devote more of your attention to your health and recovery.
When building your case, we will:
- Investigate how the accident occurred
- Gather and preserve supporting evidence
- Review evidence of alcohol impairment
- Identify all liable parties
- Evaluate the value of your damages
- Communicate with insurance companies
- Handle settlement negotiations
- Work with appropriate experts when necessary
- Prepare your case for trial if a settlement cannot be reached
We also work to keep clients informed throughout the legal process. You can ask questions, discuss your concerns, and receive guidance about the options available in your case.
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Get Help From a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Serving Bryan Today
You should not have to bear the financial burden of injuries caused by someone else’s decision to drive after drinking. If you were hurt in a drunk driving accident in Bryan, Groth & Associates can review the circumstances of your case and explain your potential legal options.
Contact us today by phone, through our online contact form, or using our live chat feature to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Bryan drunk driving accident lawyer.
Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form