When a driver’s abilities are impaired by alcohol, they may make other reckless decisions behind the wheel. Since alcohol slows reaction time, a drunk driver is ill-equipped to make smart moves on the road. Every year, drunk driving crashes injure and kill innocent victims. Statistics from the Alabama Department of Transportation reveal that 50% of fatal accidents in the state involve drunk drivers. When car accidents happen due to drunk drivers in Orange Beach, a drunk driving accident lawyer can advocate for your legal rights. Hedge Copeland, P.C. is a personal injury law firm that aggressively represents those who have been injured in drunk driving accidents. The Alabama personal injury lawyers from our team are committed to fighting for your rights and maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our drunk driving accident lawyers to learn how we can help you with your claim. Hiring a drunk driving accident lawyer is one of the most important things you can do after your car accident. Alabama uses an at-fault model for insurance as well as a pure contributory negligence rule in car accidents. If you are in a drunk driving accident in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, you must prove that the other driver was at fault to recover compensation. For this to happen, you need evidence that the intoxicated driver had a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit. You also need to show that this reckless behavior caused the drunk driving accident, leading to your injuries and damages. While criminal charges will likely be imposed on this driver, your injuries are a matter for civil court. It requires a strong case for them to be held responsible for your accident. Drunk driving accidents tend to cause serious injuries, some of which may alter your life permanently. Work with an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer who can help you navigate this process. If you have been in a drunk driving accident and suffered injuries, you have already been through enough. Our experienced personal injury litigators will take the reins and lead the way through the legal system. You can count on us to: If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, get the legal representation you need with an accident lawyer from our firm. In drunk driving accidents, the driver will likely face criminal charges for driving while over the legal limit. While that is a matter for criminal law that will surely mean they face fines, jail time, and other punishments, it’s important to understand how this can affect your claim. From the civil perspective, those who are injured in drunk driving accidents can open a case against the person who caused the accident. It will require proving the driver was negligent and liable for your damages. Proving this starts with showing that the driver owed you a duty of care to operate their vehicle responsibly and safely. Next, you need to show that they breached this duty by being intoxicated and that this impairment caused the accident. You’ll also have to show that the accident caused your injuries and damages. Hiring an attorney is the best course of action to navigate the legal landscape. It allows you the chance to have someone well-versed in the law fight for what is fair and just, especially after enduring such a traumatic event. After an accident with a drunk driver, you can pursue compensation for your economic damages and non-economic damages. This will include your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages. If you have severe injuries such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, this can also impact how much you may receive for compensation. You will have greater medical expenses, plus you may require more than lost wages if you are unable to work again, allowing you to seek loss of future earning capacity. When your pain and suffering are extreme and the reckless actions of the driver are egregious, the courts may additionally impose punitive damages. These damages aren’t awarded in every case, often reserved for an accident involving alcohol and truly abhorrent behavior. Following a crash, you need to know what to do to have the best chance at recovering compensation from the person who harmed you. If you can, call the police and report the crash. You may detect alcohol on the other driver’s breath and surely, the officers who respond will as well. Do not delay in getting the medical treatment you need for your injuries. When someone drunk is behind the wheel, they can cause devastating crashes that result in life-threatening conditions. Take photos and videos of your vehicle as well as the other vehicle involved. Accident reconstructionists can show how the at-fault driver caused this accident. Even though this drunk driving accident isn’t your fault, you will want a lawyer to help you navigate this process. Insurers often offer low settlement amounts or find ways to deny the claim. The other person may have been completely inebriated, but insurers will look at other factors to try to leave you with some of the blame. For example, if you were speeding, they could use this for fault. Based on pure contributory negligence, that would leave you with no way to recover the money you deserve for your injuries. At Hedge Copeland, P.C., we stand for justice, and we serve the community as a protective force to help right the wrongs that have been caused by others. Our passion for the law makes us relentless in our pursuit to obtain compensation on your behalf. You aren’t just another case to us, and your story behind this incident is important. We provide unmatched personal attention throughout the process to represent you with the highest level of integrity. Our formidable presence in negotiations and courtrooms has helped us to achieve many successful outcomes. Let us be there for you in your time of need to get you what you deserve, allowing you to move forward from this traumatic event. Contact Hedge Copeland, P.C. today to schedule a free case evaluation.Orange Beach Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
The Importance of Hiring a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
How Hedge Copeland, P.C. Helps Victims in Drunk Driving Accidents
Understanding the Legal Process for a Personal Injury Claim Involving a Drunk Driver
Compensation After an Accident Caused by a Driver Who Drank Too Much Alcohol
Steps Victims Should Take After Drunk Driving Accidents
Call 911
Get Medical Care
Gather Evidence
Hire an Attorney
About Us
We are licensed to practice in both Alabama and Mississippi, handling cases all along the Gulf Coast. We thoroughly investigate each case, and have the financial resources necessary to fight the big Insurance Companies.
