It can be upsetting to learn that the person who caused your car collision was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time. Even when that driver faces criminal charges, you still have the right to pursue compensation with the help of a Gastonia drunk driving accident lawyer. A personal injury claim can hold the negligent driver accountable and ensure that you receive the resources you need to recover from your injury and pay for missed time at work.
At Bridgman Gantt Law Offices, our clients are not mere numbers to us. We understand the hardships that can follow a serious injury and how that impacts injured victims and their loved ones. Following a drunk driving accident, justice can come in the form of financial compensation.
Our skilled legal team brings decades of experience helping injured clients receive fair compensation for their injuries and emotional suffering. You don’t have to wait until the negligent party’s criminal case ends. We can pursue compensation from their insurance or the courts so you don’t bear the financial consequences of someone else’s reckless decisions.
Following a drunk driving collision, you might be eligible for multiple forms of compensation, depending on the extent of your physical injuries and any psychological harm you endured. One common form of compensation is medical expenses related to the accident. These can include payments for upcoming medical treatments as well.
Lost wages are often included in settlements. Drunk driving collisions often lead to serious or catastrophic injuries that require extensive time off work for recovery. You can also be compensated for car repairs or the cost of replacing your car if it was totaled.
A car collision can be a traumatic event that leaves you with flashbacks, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other mental health afflictions. If you suffered significant physical pain and mental anguish, you might be eligible for non-economic damages for pain and suffering. Since drunk driving is a reckless act, a court verdict may also lead to punitive damages aimed at punishing the defendant.
In Gastonia, compensation can initially come from the negligent driver’s insurance company. Under North Carolina’s fault-based approach to handling car collisions, the negligent party’s liability insurance can cover the cost of replacing your car, paying for medical bills, and compensating you for other expenses.
If the driver is uninsured, you have two more options. You can begin a claim with your own uninsured motorist insurance. You may also have the option of hiring a personal injury lawyer who could start a personal injury claim naming the negligent driver if they conducted serious misconduct, such as driving while intoxicated.
Even when a drunk driver is involved in your accident, establishing fault and securing compensation is not always easy. The drunk driver’s insurance may not be cooperative, and you might have grounds for filing a personal injury claim in court.
Whichever route you take, having strong legal representation can ensure that you hold the drunk driver accountable and receive what you are owed. If you have never handled an injury claim, you may not know how to accurately calculate an optimal settlement figure. A Gastonia personal injury attorney can make sure that you receive the full scope of damages that you are entitled to under the law.
A: If you work with a personal injury lawyer to file a claim in court against a drunk driver, the length of time it takes to resolve the claim depends on the complexity of the case, the willingness of the defendant to offer a fair settlement, and other factors. On the short end, cases can be resolved in a matter of months. It is common for a claim to take several months or longer to settle.
A:. No, if the drunk driver is charged with driving while intoxicated, your personal injury case can still move forward. The civil and criminal courts serve two distinct purposes. If the defendant admits guilt in criminal court, that could even help your case. The standard for proving fault is lower in civil court, but you’ll still need the help of an attorney to gather evidence to support your claim.
A: Drunk driving accident settlements are determined by the extent of your physical injuries, the emotional harm you suffered, and the value of any physical property that was damaged or destroyed. A personal injury attorney can help you accurately calculate the value of a settlement so you don’t miss out on crucial compensation that you are owed.
A: Most lawyers handling drunk driving accident claims work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you receive compensation. Their fee is usually a percentage of the settlement or court award. This structure allows injured parties to pursue legal action without upfront costs, ensuring access to representation.
A: Ideally, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a drunk driving accident. Early legal guidance helps protect your rights, preserve critical evidence, and navigate insurance claims. Prompt action can also ensure that deadlines for filing claims or lawsuits are met, improving your chances of securing compensation.
A drunk driving collision can leave you battered and in need of financial compensation. The injury attorneys at Bridgman Gantt Law Offices understand what you are going through because we have represented injured drivers and helped them secure the compensation they needed to recover and move forward with confidence.
Our attorneys can hold the negligent drunk driver accountable for their reckless behavior and the harm you suffered. We won’t rest until justice is served and you receive what you are owed. Contact our office today to schedule your initial no-cost consultation.
"*" indicates required fields