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Car accidents can have devastating effects on an individual’s life, but collisions caused by drunk driving can be even more severe. Impaired drivers often fail to take any necessary actions to reduce the impact of the accident, such as braking or swerving, which can result in severe injuries like traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage and, in some tragic cases, even death. If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, the Charlotte drunk driving accident attorneys of Maginnis Howard can provide the guidance and support you need.
In a drunk driving case, the jury can award additional damages beyond what is available in other automobile collision cases. After the verdict, the drunk driver’s insurance company will pay the amount. However, insurance companies handle drunk driving collisions differently. They may try to mislead injured victims into settling the case early instead of allowing them to speak with an attorney. This is why victims must seek the help of an experienced attorney who can help them find all possible sources of compensation for their injuries.
In the event of a car accident caused by a driver who was negligent and intoxicated, you have the right to recover compensatory damages. These damages are intended to cover your expenses and make you whole again. This may include compensation for medical bills, lost wages, permanent injuries, scarring, physical pain, and emotional suffering. In addition, you may also be able to seek punitive damages under Chapter 1D of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Punitive damages punish someone who has acted recklessly and indifferently to others’ safety. The perfect example is a drunk driver. Juries tend to award more “punitive” damages when the drunk driver is a repeat offender, so it is always critical for you and your attorney to do a full investigation to learn if the drunk driver in your case has prior charges. A jury has more discretion to decide punitive damages if a drunk driving collision is particularly catastrophic.
In far too many drunk driving cases, the irresponsible driver does not have sufficient insurance to cover all the damages caused by their negligence. North Carolina’s minimum insurance requirements are low, and sometimes, other drivers fail to get insurance altogether. A good law firm will help you look beyond the negligent drunk driver to see if there is another person or company who failed to act responsibly and contributed to your injuries.
In addition to questions about the driver, a qualified Charlotte drunk driving accident attorney will investigate the source of the alcohol. Was the drunk driver served or furnished alcohol after they were already noticeably and visibly intoxicated? Was the drunk driver served underage? North Carolina’s “draw shop” law asserts that a furnisher of alcohol, whether a bar, restaurant, or social host, can be liable if they serve alcohol to a person who is noticeably and visibly intoxicated and likely to operate a motor vehicle.
Maginnis Howard’s personal injury attorney, Shawn Howard, has experience handling cases like this. In the high-profile case of a UNC student who drove drunk the wrong way down I-85 after drinking at his fraternity house, an apartment, and two Franklin Street bars, the firm recovered a $2.9 million wrongful death settlement for the family of a child killed in the wreck. We can help you determine if you have a viable dram shop or social host case in addition to your claim against the drunk driver.
The Charlotte auto accident attorneys offer free case evaluations to all North and South Carolinians injured in drunk driving collisions. We handle all automobile accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you pay no attorneys’ fees unless we recover money damages on your behalf. We will travel to meet with you to discuss your DUI injury case. Visit our contact page to send a confidential email with the facts of your case to an intake specialist.
