It is illegal to be intoxicated while operating a vehicle on the road, whether it’s alcohol or drug abuse. Drunk driving has caused 28 people to die every day, which is, on average, one person for every 52 minutes. In 2019 alone, 10,142 people lost their lives due to another’s careless mistakes. These accidents can be easily prevented, especially when there are rideshare and car pickup services. When you get into a drunk driving accident and suffer from terrible damages, you can receive compensation for your injuries with the help of a Miramar Beach car accident lawyer. To get counsel on how you should proceed with your case, call Fasig | Brooks today for a free consultation in Miramar Beach.
What Is Drunk Driving?
Also known as driving under the influence (DUI), drunk driving is when a driver is in control of a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level that is 0.08% or above. This form of intoxication is lethal to other drivers sharing the road because the driver may have foggy or blurry vision, slowed reaction times, and may even fall asleep from drowsiness while on the road. Their inability to drive can result in unpredictable behavior on the road that can easily cause a crash. This could have been prevented had the drunk driver stayed at home. If not, contact a Miramar Beach personal injury lawyer if you were the victim of a drunk driving accident.
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How Can My Attorney Prove The Other Driver Was Drunk?
When seeking a settlement for your drunk driving case, you can obtain help from one of our reliable car accident attorneys to prove that you were not at fault and that the other driver was indeed drunk and driving under the influence. This includes some of the following methods:
Lab Test
The driver may have undergone a drug test if they were admitted to the hospital due to their wounds after the crash. The police on the scene may have noticed that the driver was drunk and requested that they take a breathalyzer test. If the driver is visibly drunk, for example, unable to walk, has bloodshot eyes, and has other symptoms of intoxication, they may be asked to take a urine or lab test to check for not only alcohol but other drugs. Your attorney can obtain this medical information and use the data to support your claim.
Traffic Camera Footage
If there were any traffic cameras nearby, they may have caught the accident on video. Your attorney can analyze this and use the data as evidence.
Police Report
The police may have issued citations based on the type of traffic infractions committed by the other driver. They may also mention in the police report signs of drunkenness, such as slurred speech, irrational forgetfulness, swaying, and other signs. If the driver took a breathalyzer test, the police will also include the results in the report and if they did an arrest. This police report can be used in your case.
Eye Witnesses
A large and horrible crash may have drawn the attention of witnesses. If possible, collect witnesses’ contact information in person and from the police report. Your attorney can contact the witnesses to get a testimony from them.
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What Damages Can I Claim For My Drunk Driving Accident in Miramar Beach?
If the other party is proven guilty of drunk driving, you may receive punitive damages from the local court system. This happens when the at-fault driver was grossly negligent, as is the case for an intoxicated driver. Other damages you can claim for your drunk driving incident include the following:
Economic Damages
Your injuries may have been so severe that you had to take time off from work to recover. Your past and future time off from work can be included in your compensation. Your medical bills will also make up a large portion of your drunk driving accident settlement. This includes medication, bandages, medical devices, physical therapy, surgery, etc. When property damage is too high and isn’t covered by your car insurance, this can also become a part of your settlement.
Non-Economic Damages
While you are healing from your injuries, you may also be experiencing emotional turmoil. Pain and suffering are a form of non-economic damages that you can also seek compensation for. This can include emotions such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other terrible feelings. With the help of an insurance adjuster, your attorney can calculate how much non-economic damages you should also receive.
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Seek Additional Information From a Miramar Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
You can ask our well-educated law firm about our services and how we can help you gain maximum compensation for your damages. We will investigate your claim first to let you know if this is a drunk driving claim and whether your case is strong enough to pursue, so you don’t waste your time. To find out more, call Fasig | Brooks for a free consultation.
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