Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Mobile, Alabama

Drunk driving is a nationwide epidemic. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that over 10,000 people are killed in drunk driving crashes each year. Despite public awareness initiatives, stricter penalties for impaired drivers, and increased societal pressure to drive sober, DUI rates are still far too high.

Those who choose to drive while under the influence know that they are putting others at risk, and they must be held liable for the damage they leave in their wake when they cause an accident. At Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C., we are dedicated to aggressively protecting our clients’ rights and helping them get the compensation they deserve.

Signs That a Driver May Be Impaired

If you suspect that the other party involved in your crash is under the influence, you must tell the police when they arrive on the scene. For impaired drivers to be held accountable, a blood, urine, or breath test must be performed within a certain timeframe to determine their level of impairment.

Signs that a driver may be impaired include:

• Erratic driving prior to the accident, including random increases and decreases in speeds, unnecessary lane changes, and inattention to road signs;
• Inability to stay within their lane or on the road;
• Slurred speech, red eyes, uneven walking, and inappropriate responses to the situation at hand;
• An insistence that the situation be resolved without police or insurance; impaired drivers often know what’s at stake if they are caught and want to settle their issues outside the legal system.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident

It is difficult to know exactly what to do after a car accident, since adrenaline takes over and you may find it hard to think clearly. However, taking the right steps after an accident can help you preserve evidence, protect your rights, and lay the groundwork for you to seek compensation. After a crash, you should:

• Immediately check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
• Call 911 to report the accident and request assistance; let them know about your and your passengers’ injuries.
• If you are injured, wait where you are until emergency personnel arrive. You could cause additional harm by moving.
• Accept medical attention; you will need documentation of your injuries.
• Immediately take pictures and video of the crash scene. Include shots of both vehicles from multiple angles and be sure to document any injuries suffered by your passengers.
• If anyone has stopped to offer help, find out if they witnessed the accident. If they did, get their contact information.
• Exchange insurance information with the other party. If they are drunk and cannot communicate clearly, you may have to get the information from the police later.

Evidence Required for a Drunk Driving Personal Injury Case

When you meet with your personal injury attorney, they will get copies of all the evidence you have. The more evidence you have and the stronger it is, the easier it will be to prove your case and seek compensation.

Bring copies of medical reports, medical bills, and other documentation. Your attorney will use this to determine the severity of your injuries, how long you may be away from work, and what your expenses will be.

Pictures and videos of the crash scene are also valuable to your attorney. If you have a dashboard camera, make copies of the crash footage and provide a copy to your lawyer.

Give your attorney the contact information for your passengers and anyone who witnessed the accident. Their testimony can be helpful in proving that the other party acted recklessly.

Copies of the police report and the other driver’s toxicology screens are essential. You may be able to request these directly from the police department or your lawyer may secure copies from the authorities.

Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident

You may be entitled to substantial damages after a drunk driving accident. Everything depends on the severity of your injuries, the expenses you incur as a result of the accident, and how well your attorney can prove the other party’s liability. Different types of compensation you may be entitled to include:

• Medical bills, ambulance bills, copays, medication expenses, and other medical costs;
• Future medical expenses if an injury is likely to require additional medical treatment;
• Long-term care if a victim is left disabled or unable to care for themselves;
• Pain and suffering;
• Property damage;
• Punitive damages, which the court may award if the driver was egregiously negligent in their choices;
• Lost income if you take time away from work to heal;
• Lost future wages if the accident limits your ability to work in the future or limits your promotion opportunities.

How Our Team of Alabama Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Can Help You

No matter how impaired the other driver was or how obvious it was that they were responsible for the accident, you face an uphill battle if you deal directly with their insurance company. The responsible driver’s insurance company wants to settle the issue quickly, take away your right to sue, and spend as little of the insurance company’s money as possible.

Regardless of how careful you are in your communications with the insurance company, you risk damaging your case and your settlement offer every time you talk to them. If the insurance adjuster can demonstrate that you were partially liable for the crash or that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim, they will seize that opportunity.

Many victims have been left with settlements too small to cover their medical expenses due to the actions of insurance providers. When you work with Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C., you have a completely different experience. We understand how physically, mentally, and emotionally draining a car accident can be, and we know how important it is that you focus on healing. We will negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company and work to get you the biggest settlement possible. If they are unwilling to be reasonable, we are ready to take your case to court and hold the other driver fully accountable for the damage they have caused.

Reach Out to Burns, Cunningham & Mackey, P.C. Now

The sooner you contact our team of experienced personal injury attorneys, the sooner we can begin working on your behalf to build your case. Take the first step now and fill out our contact form or call us at 800-574-4332 to get started. We look forward to helping you.