Drunk Driving Accident and Injury Attorneys

After an accident with a drunk driver, the police might have responded to the scene and probably handcuffed the driver.

While that experience might make you feel like justice was offered on the spot, there are many more steps to come in the legal process.

The criminal punishment against the driver has nothing to do with your medical bills and insurance claim versus the intoxicated driver’s insurance plan. You still have to do file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to recover fair payment.

Drunk Driving Accidents Can Entitle You to Significant Compensation

If you suffered injuries or your vehicle was totaled in a drunk-driving accident, then you are likely to miss work, have expensive medical bills to pay, and experience a great deal of pain and suffering. In order to get your life back on track, you will need to be compensated for those damages.

Possible recoverable damages in a drunk driving accident lawsuit might include:

Medical expenses: Including all past and future necessary medical care related to the accident, such as hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and therapy.
Lost wages and earning capacity: Missing work or being unable to work in the future because of your injuries can entitle you to recover lost wages, as well as compensation for the future earnings you will lose.
Pain and suffering: The physical pain caused by your injuries as well as the mental anguish, fear, anxiety, and emotional distress resulting from the accident might be compensable.
Loss of quality of life: If your injuries limit your ability to enjoy your hobbies or activities, you might be able to recover damages for that loss.
Physical and emotional scars: Permanent physical scars or disfigurement, as well as the emotional trauma of the accident, can also be compensated.
Property damage: If your vehicle or other property was damaged in the accident, you can seek reimbursement for those losses.
Wrongful death: If your injuries resulted in the death of a spouse, child, or parent, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the drunk driver.
Punitive damages: A driver’s reckless decision to drink and drive might also entitle you to punitive damages, which are designed to punish the driver and deter future drunk driving.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

It is impossible to say how much your case is worth without knowing the specific facts and circumstances. The amount of compensation you might be entitled to will depend on:

The severity of your injuries
Whether you suffered any permanent impairments or disabilities
Whether you lost wages or earning capacity
Other damages related to the accident
The amount of insurance coverage available
The strength of the evidence against the drunk driver

It is important to note that most personal injury lawsuits are settled out of court. However, if the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance coverage or refuses to settle, then your case might go to trial.

Why You Need a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

The aftermath of a drunk driving accident can be overwhelming. You might be focused on your injuries and recovery, while also dealing with mounting medical bills and insurance adjusters. An experienced drunk driving accident attorney can handle all the legal details of your case so that you can focus on healing.

Your attorney will also make sure that you do not accept a lowball settlement offer from the insurance company. Insurance adjusters might try to take advantage of your situation by offering a quick settlement that does not come close to covering all your damages. An attorney will fight for the full amount of compensation you are entitled to under the law.

Additionally, if your case goes to trial, an attorney will be by your side throughout the entire process, making sure that you have the best chance of success.

Who Is Responsible for My Damages?

In a drunk driving accident lawsuit, you might be able to recover damages from:

The at-fault driver: You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident. If the driver was convicted of drunk driving, that conviction can be used as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit.
The driver’s employer: If the driver was working at the time of the accident, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the driver’s employer.
The owner of the vehicle: If the drunk driver was not the owner of the vehicle, you might be able to hold the owner liable under certain circumstances.
The bar or restaurant that served the driver: If the driver was served alcohol at a bar or restaurant before the accident, you might be able to hold the establishment liable under certain circumstances.

New Jersey’s Statutes of Limitations

In New Jersey, the statute of limitations for most personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident.

If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you might be barred from recovering any compensation for your injuries. This is why it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Talk to a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Cherry Hill Today

Cherry Hill drunk driving accident and injury lawyers at Keith Zaid Law, LLC have a proven track record of success in personal injury litigation. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, and we are ready to put our experience and resources to work for you.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, call us at 856-485-6818 or fill out our Contact Form.