Granite City Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Alton Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Making the decision to drive intoxicated is extremely reckless, as both the legal consequences and risks posed to other’s safety can be overwhelming to deal with. Countless accidents are caused every year by those who make this dangerous decision, leaving victims to face severe injuries, emotional trauma, and mounting medical bills. If this applies to you or a loved one, get in touch with a Granite City drunk driving accident lawyer for support and legal representation.

Granite City personal injury lawyer, Joshua R. Evans, understands how devastating the aftermath of drunk driving accidents can be on victims. It’s why we enter every new case with a desire to learn and help. From investigating every detail that led to the accident to negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing a fair settlement, we never stop working on your behalf.

Connect with us today to learn more about how we can take on the legal burdens so you can focus on rebuilding your life.

What Can I Seek in Compensation for a Drunk Driving Accident Case?

The extent of a victim’s physical, emotional, and financial hardships from a drunk driving accident can be extreme. With so many compensation possibilities, it’s important to understand the different types available to avoid leaving any money that is rightfully yours on the table. Some of the most common damages you can seek in these cases include:

Medical Expenses

Many drunk driving accidents result in severe injuries that require medical treatments to recover. Any money spent on medical services can be considered for compensation, such as emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, and follow-up appointments. You can also seek compensation for long-term needs that extend past a final court verdict, such as ongoing home health services or rehabilitative therapies.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

The aftermath of injuries from a drunk driving accident can leave you out of work for weeks, months, and sometimes even years. This can cause you to lose a significant portion of your income that you and your family depend on. Fortunately, lost wages are another type of compensation to which you may be entitled. In addition to how much time was lost from work during recovery, you can also work with your lawyer to pursue damages for any loss of earning capacity.

Pain and Suffering

The combination of physical pain and emotional suffering from a drunk driving accident can be unbearable to manage. The category of pain and suffering acknowledges the non-economic impact of your injuries, such as chronic pain, disfigurement, or the inability to enjoy activities that brought you pleasure before the accident. This category also addresses any emotional trauma with which you may be dealing, such as anxiety, depression, and feeling helpless.

Property Damage

In addition to being compensated for harm to yourself, you can also seek compensation for any property of yours that was broken in the accident. These funds are typically used to cover the cost of repairing or replacing items, such as your vehicle, electronics, or any other personal items of value. To ensure you receive compensation for all of these qualifying items, document their damage with photos and repair estimates.

Punitive Damages

Because drunk driving is considered a reckless and avoidable act, many times, the court will award punitive damages in these cases. These are issued specifically to punish the at-fault party for their reckless conduct and to prevent others from doing the same thing. Punitive damages are often reserved for cases that involve extreme negligence, like when a driver has an extremely high BAC level or a prior history of multiple DUI offenses.

Loss of Consortium

Drunk driving accidents can also affect those related to the victim, especially for spouses of the injured party. Loss of consortium refers to the impact that an injury or wrongful death has on a partner, such as an inability to provide companionship or intimacy. This type of damage also recognizes how negligence can have ripple effects.

Granite City Drunk Driving Accident FAQs

Q: What Are Most Lawyer Fees for a Car Accident?

A: Many lawyers handle car accident cases by working on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only collect payment if they win your case. The exact percentage they collect is predetermined and agreed upon by the attorney and client before taking on the case. They may also deduct ad hoc expenses, like court filing fees and administrative expenses, directly from the final compensation award. Discuss fees upfront with your lawyer to ensure they meet your budget.

Q: How Long Does a Drunk Driving Lawsuit Take?

A: The timeline for a drunk driving lawsuit varies based on different factors, like how complicated the case is, what evidence is available, and whether or not the case needs to advance to trial. Simple cases that are settled out of court may only take a few months, while more complicated battles that need to advance to trial could take much longer. If the case involves significant damages, the investigation and negotiation stages could take longer than normal.

Q: How Do I Sue a Drunk Driver?

A: To successfully pursue a personal injury claim against a drunk driver in Granite City, IL, you need to gather enough evidence to prove their intoxication caused the accident. This can be done by first filing a police report and obtaining a copy, as this record contains critical details, including the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). You also want to document your injuries and damages to quantify how much compensation you want to receive from the lawsuit if the drunk driver is found guilty.

Q: Does Car Insurance Pay for a DUI Lawyer?

A: In some instances, car insurance might be able to cover legal fees depending on the policy and circumstances of the accident. If you have coverage such as liability insurance or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your insurer may provide legal presentation if you are being sued or need to file a claim. However, it’s important to note that this legal representation typically is more protective over the insurer’s interests rather than addressing your own.

Contact Joshua R. Evans Attorney at Law Today

If you have recently been involved in a drunk driving accident and are looking to move forward with a lawsuit, contact my firm today. I have been proudly helping victims of drunk driving secure the compensation they deserve after these tragic events, and I am ready to assist you, too.