Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Greensboro

The moments following a drunk driving collision can be the most terrifying moments of a victim’s life. However, the weeks and months after the crash can also be overwhelming, challenging, and downright frustrating as a victim struggles with the physical and financial challenges that a severe injury can bring.

If you need help paying your bills, recovering from lost wages, and getting your life back after a drunk driving accident in Greensboro, contact the legal team at Ward Black Law. We help victims seek the justice and financial compensation they deserve while also catering to their emotional and physical well-being.

Hurt by a drunk driver and don’t know where to start? Start with a call to Ward Black Law. Contact us online, and let’s talk about your case and how we may be able to help.

Consequences for Drunk Driving in Greensboro

An individual who drove while impaired and injured others in a crash may potentially face both criminal consequences and civil consequences. Driving while intoxicated is illegal in North Carolina. If an individual is convicted in a criminal court, they may be looking at fines and jail time, as well as the revocation of their driver’s license.

However, a drunk driver may face civil consequences as well. A drunk and reckless driver may be sued in civil court for the financial losses suffered by victims of a crash. This means that a drunk driver could be held responsible for paying for medical expenses, property damage, and loss of income, among other things.

Criminal and civil cases are completely separate. Regardless of what happens with any criminal charges for the drunk driver who caused your crash, you could still recover compensation in a civil lawsuit. In fact, civil cases carry a lower burden of proof.

Common Types of Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving accidents can cause catastrophic injuries. Impaired drivers do not have the physical or mental capacity to slow down or stop before causing a serious wreck, which is why victims tend to suffer such traumatic injuries.

Some of the most common injuries seen in drunk driving accidents are:

I’m the Victim of a DUI Accident. What Do I Do?

Being the victim of a drunk driver is a frightening experience. Although traumatic, what you do immediately after the crash and in the weeks and months following is extremely important. Try to remember to take these steps:

• Call the authorities immediately and remain at the scene of the accident.
• Take photos of the scene, the damage to your property, and any visible injuries.
• Ask for the contact information of eyewitnesses to the accident.
• Seek medical attention promptly and follow all medical advice provided by your physician.
• Contact an experienced drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible, so they can begin investigating your case.
• Let your attorney handle communications with the insurers or attorneys of the drunk driver to protect you from saying anything that could hurt your case.
• Request a copy of the accident report created by the investigating police officer.
• Keep records of your medical expenses, repair costs, and out-of-pocket receipts.
• Take frequent notes to track your daily struggles with physical pain and emotional distress.
• Avoid talking about the accident on any social media platform since that information could potentially be used against your case.

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 28 people are killed in drunk driving accidents every day in the United States. In just one recent year, that amounted to 10,142 deaths across the nation.

The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility finds that, in North Carolina, 421 fatal crashes involved alcohol-impaired drivers in one recent year. Statistics also show that 29.3 percent of total traffic fatalities were alcohol-impaired fatalities. This is higher than the national average of 28.8 percent.

North Carolina saw 27,915 total arrests for driving under the influence that year.

Suing for Damages After a DUI Accident in Greensboro

Victims of driving under the influence crashes may have several options for pursuing compensation. The first step is often to file an injury claim with the driver’s insurance company. If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate or makes the process difficult or drawn out, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit.

Some of the types of compensation you may be able to seek in an insurance claim or lawsuit include:

The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the wrongdoer for their reckless behavior and set an example to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. Punitive damages do not relate to the injured person’s losses, but the injured person receives the money from an award of punitive damages. The dollar amounts can be substantial. Our attorneys explore every option for compensation, including whether punitive damages might be available.

To find out more about filing a claim, you need to consult with an experienced Greensboro drunk driving accident attorney at Ward Black Law. We will be able to investigate the accident and search for the necessary evidence to build a solid and compelling case. We can also manage critical legal deadlines.

North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Crash Cases

North Carolina law generally gives victims three years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit for financial damages. If a suit is brought after the statute of limitations has expired, the court can throw the case out, leaving the victim with little to no legal recourse for pursuing damages.

Although three years sounds like plenty of time, if an insurer is not negotiating in good faith or the insurance claim has stalled for some reason, it can put a victim up against the clock. To keep all your legal avenues open, talk to an experienced drunk driving accident attorney with Ward Black Law as soon as possible.

What Happens If the Drink Driver Is Acquitted or Never Charged?

Driving while intoxicated is illegal, but there may be situations where the driver cannot be prosecuted criminally, or there is not enough evidence for a conviction. While this may absolve them from criminal penalties, such as jail time or fines, it does not automatically clear them of their financial responsibility.

Criminal court and civil court are separate and distinct. If criminal penalties don’t stick, that does not bar a victim from filing a civil case against the driver.

A civil case does not require the same burden of proof as a criminal court. In addition, a civil trial is not about punishment for a crime. It is about holding a negligent party responsible for financial damages that their actions caused. A civil trial is an opportunity for a victim to hold the negligent driver accountable and recover compensation to cover losses.