Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer

Advocates for Victims of DUI Driver Accident

Our job, as Colorado Plaintiff Injury Attorneys, is to fight for our clients’ rights to get the financial recovery they deserve. As an accident victim of a DUI incident, you may face overwhelming struggles dealing with police investigations and insurance claims while recovering from serious injuries. We promise you the best quality service. When you come to Anderson Hemmat for help, you can expect results.

Having a specialized DUI accident attorney is crucial in navigating the legal complexities following an accident caused by a drunk driver. These attorneys can help victims understand their rights, pursue compensation, and represent them in court if necessary, ensuring accountability for the liable parties.

Drunk driving accident lawyers provide essential support to victims of DUI-related incidents, addressing both the emotional and financial burdens faced by victims and their families. Their expertise in navigating complex legal processes is vital to securing maximum compensation for their clients.

Why Drunk Driving Crash Injuries Are So Severe

Even the slightest amount of alcohol in one’s system makes it hard to do everyday tasks. After a motor vehicle crash, especially one involving a drunk driver, it is crucial to hire a drunk driving accident lawyer who has experience with personal injury cases to prevent costly mistakes and ensure proper legal representation.

The legal limit is a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08. At a BAC of 0.02 percent, people are already unable to multitask, and at a still-legal 0.05 percent, steering becomes difficult and reaction time is significantly slowed.

Considering that a car travels 88 feet per second at 55 MPH, any delay can lead to tragic consequences. While sober, it can take 0.2 seconds to react, which means you have already traveled about 18 feet at this speed before you can even slow down. As people consume more alcohol, this reaction time declines steeply, leaving less time for reaction and more room for error - which can prove fatal.

By the time a person has consumed enough to be over the legal limit of 0.08 percent BAC, they struggle to concentrate, maintain speed, and even stay in their own lane. This often leads to tragic outcomes.

I Was Hit by A Drunk Driver, Now What Do I Do?

If a drunk driver hits you or a loved one, the first thing to know is that you are not alone. Nearly one-third of all fatal crashes occur because of driving under the influence.

You need answers to questions like:

• What can a dui accident lawyer do for me?

• How long will this process take?

• Should I talk to my insurance company?

• Should I talk to the drunk driver’s insurance company?

• When can I seek medical attention?

• How will my medical bills be paid?

• Will I have to go to court?

It is crucial to consult with a DUI accident lawyer to navigate communication with all parties and ensure proper compensation.

Drunk Driving Accident Injury Case FAQs

Understanding Liability

These dui accidents occur when an impaired driver operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing their ability to drive safely.

In the event of a drunk driving accident, liability is often attributed to the impaired driver. However, other parties may also be held liable, such as:

• The impaired driver’s employer, if the accident occurred while the driver was on the job.

• The bar or restaurant that provided alcohol to the impaired driver.

Understanding liability is crucial in pursuing a successful claim. A dui accident lawyer from our law firm can help victims navigate the legal process and ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

Types of Damages in DUI Accident Cases

DUI accidents can result in various types of damages, each impacting the victim’s life in different ways. Understanding these damages is crucial for pursuing a fair compensation claim.

Economic Damages: These are quantifiable losses that can be directly attributed to the accident. They include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers all medical costs related to the dui accident, including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future medical care required due to the suffered injuries.

• Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This also includes any reduction in your earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job or work at the same capacity.

• Property Damage: Compensation for the repair or replacement of your automobile and any other personal property damaged in the dui accident.

Non-Economic Damages: These damages are more subjective and cover the emotional and psychological impact of the accident:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the emotional distress and pain caused by the other driver.

• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the dui accident has significantly impacted your ability to enjoy daily activities and hobbies, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.

• Emotional Distress: The trauma and anxiety resulting from the accident can also be compensated under non-economic damages.

• Punitive Damages: In cases where the drunk driver’s behavior was particularly reckless or egregious, the court may award punitive damages. These are intended to punish the driver for gross negligence and deter similar behavior in the future.

A skilled drunk driver accident lawyer from our law firm can help you navigate this process, advocate for your rights, and recover compensation.

The Drunk Driving Accident Claims Process

Navigating the claims process after a drunk driving accident can be overwhelming, but understanding the steps involved can help you manage it more effectively.

1. Seeking Medical Attention: Your health and safety are the top priority. Seek medical care immediately after the accident, even if you feel fine at the accident scene. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent and could lead to permanent disability. Medical records will also serve as crucial evidence in your claim.

2. Reporting the Accident: Report the accident to police officers and obtain a copy of the police report. This document will contain important details, including the identity of the drunk driver, their license plate number, any witnesses, and if possible the name of the bar that served alcohol to the other driver. These can be vital for your case.

3. Contacting an Attorney: Reach out to a drunk driving accident attorney as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can guide you through the claims process, protect your rights, and help you collect compensation and any future earnings you might be entitled to.

4. Filing a Claim: Your attorney will assist you in filing a claim with the insurance company of the drunk driver.

Negotiating a Settlement: The other driver's insurance company may offer a settlement. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to ensure the settlement is fair and covers all your damages. If a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may file a lawsuit to pursue your claim in court.

Colorado Cares About Injured DUI Crash Victims

There are numerous enforcement efforts each year designed to reduce the rate of Colorado DUI offenses. Yet nearly half of all traffic fatalities in the spring and summer happen because an intoxicated driver was behind the wheel.

In short, Colorado is buckling down on drunk driving.

While all 50 states have laws to protect the public against drunk drivers, there are extra steps taken by the state of Colorado. Make sure you know your state's laws.

Because of the high rate of impaired driving and the admission that 1.9% of adults in Colorado report driving after drinking too much within the last 30 days, law enforcement has taken action.

Colorado police use DUI checkpoints to stop automobiles in highly visible locations to check for drunk driving and prevent repeat offenders. These checkpoints remain critical in protecting the public against drunk driving.

How Alcohol Affects the Body & Driving Ability

(BAC) of .02	(BAC) of .05	(BAC) of .08
Vision decreases and becomes blurry	Motor skills diminish	Severe dizziness and nausea
Difficulty focusing	Cannot steer properly	Complete lack of coordination
Cannot distinguish between colors	Poor balance	Inability to control bodily functions
Cannot judge distance	Poor coordination	Vision blurred, words slurred
Peripheral vision diminishes	Reaction time slows	Staggering
Night vision decreases	Irrationality	Potential for unconsciousness

Colorado Drunk Driving Laws

So, you might be asking, “What are the DUI laws in Colorado?” Colorado DUI laws make it illegal to drive with any amount of alcohol under the age of 21. For those who are of legal age, the state maintains strict rules to prevent drunk driving. DUI accidents have severe legal implications, including fatalities.

The consequences of such incidents emphasize the importance of hiring a DUI accident attorney to pursue compensation for victims, detailing both the potential awards and legal rights associated with these incidents.

Colorado DUI laws have 3 categories for impaired driving:

Category	Definition	Meaning
DUI	Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination.	If a driver has a BAC of .08% or more, with substantial impairment to their ability to safely operate a vehicle that means they are under the influence.
DWAI	Driving a vehicle with impaired ability, as a result of drugs, alcohol, or a combination.	Ability impaired means the driver was only slightly impaired. A driver's BAC between .05% and .08% falls under this category.
DUI per se	Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.	Operating a vehicle means having physical control over a vehicle, even if that car is not moving. That means a driver could simply be in a running car in the parking lot, with a BAC of .08% or higher, and be convicted.

Colorado DUI Penalties

Having an experienced drunk driving accident attorney is crucial to navigate the complexities of civil claims against drunk drivers, ensuring that victims receive proper compensation while also differentiating between a criminal and civil case.

People facing DUI charges can:

1. Lose their license

2. Face criminal charges

3. Incur fines

4. Have to perform public service

Colorado DUI penalties are based on the offense and the type of conviction. Generally, the penalties for the first offense of a DWAI will be less severe than the DUI. However, if it is a second or third offense, the penalties will be higher, especially the public service, license revocation, and jail time.

Choose Experienced DUI Accident Attorneys

If you want to pursue a legal remedy for your pain and suffering, and those of any loved ones, congratulations. It can be frightening to seek out help when things can feel so overwhelming. Hiring experienced DUI accident attorneys from our personal injury law firm is crucial in helping you understand your legal options and obtain additional compensation for injuries.

If you are an accident victim, contact our law firm today at (303) 782-9999 to set up your free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys. We will fight for you and help you take legal action and file a personal injury lawsuit. We will help you win what you deserve.