Horn Lake Drunk Driver Accident Lawyer

To drive while under the influence of alcohol is a crime. It is incredibly negligent for anyone to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated. Anyone who is hurt by the negligent actions of drunk drivers should pursue compensation from the person who caused their injuries.

If you are someone who was injured by a drunk driver who caused an accident, the best course of action is to file a drunk driving accident claim against them. To start your claim, get in touch with Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC. The personal injury lawyers there are ready and willing to help you take the next steps toward recovering the compensation you deserve.

The Cause of Drunk Driving Accidents

Drinking alcohol causes people to lose their ability to properly perceive the world around them. This notable decrease in their awareness also impacts their ability to react to stimuli and concentrate on things. Of course, this makes drunk drivers entirely unfit to operate a vehicle on public roads.

Unfortunately, many drivers disregard this face and still drive. Because they lack the competence needed to safely operate a vehicle, accidents usually follow.

Drunk Driving Harms People

No matter what, alcohol being sold in an area will eventually lead to someone deciding to consume the beverages and then get on the road. This leads to many people being injured and even dying in drunk driving accidents. Therefore, motorcycle accident victims or their survivors must always hold these drunk drivers accountable when accidents occur.

Although the criminal justice system does usually file criminal charges against people who are caught driving drunk, this does not always lead to the victims being compensated for their losses. To ensure that you do recover compensation, you must file a drunk driving accident claim with the help of a Horn Lake drunk driver accident lawyer.

The Most Common Forms of Drunk Driver Accidents

Not all drunk driver accidents are the same. This is because drunk drivers can get into all of the same types of accidents as sober drivers. Drunk drivers are increasingly more likely to make serious errors that cause serious issues.

Here are some of the accidents commonly caused by drunk drivers:

Rear-Ending

When a driver collides with the back end of another vehicle, a rear-end accident has occurred. Normally, rear-end accidents result in the driver who was in the back being found liable. This happens because all drivers are expected to stay at a safe distance when they are following another vehicle.

By following this rule, they can give themselves enough time to brake and avoid rear-end accidents. A drunk driver will be less capable of stopping at an appropriate time, even if they were following at a reasonably safe distance.

Head-on Crashes

If a vehicle crashes into the front of another vehicle, a head-on crash has occurred. This usually happens when drivers are using the wrong lane of traffic to travel. By being in the wrong lane, they are put at direct risk of colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

Due to their diminished awareness, drunk drivers are at even greater risk, sometimes unknowingly. Their inability to effectively control their vehicles often leads to them drifting into the wrong lane and crashing into a vehicle that is moving in the opposite direction.

Collisions with Pedestrians

It can be difficult to see pedestrians on crosswalks and on other parts of the road, especially at night time. When someone is intoxicated, it becomes even harder to notice people who are in their path. This is the reason why many pedestrians are hit by drunk drivers.

These accidents often cause fatal injuries because pedestrians have effectively no way to defend themselves from vehicles that move at high speeds.

Sideswipe Accidents

If someone collides with the side of a vehicle, this type of accident is called a sideswipe. Usually, these accidents happen because one driver is not aware that another vehicle is next to them. They try to switch lanes, then crash into the other vehicle.

If the person next to them is a motorcyclist, the damage can be catastrophic because the rider may be thrown from the vehicle. Likewise, drivers that get sideswiped may veer off their desired path and end up hitting fixed objects or other vehicles.

Here Is What Happens to the Drunk Driver

Drunk driving is a serious crime. People who are caught doing it will be charged with a “driving under the influence” charge. This is a serious charge that can result in penalties like jail time and significant fines.

Additionally, DUI convicts will certainly have their driver’s licenses suspended for a set period of time. The severity of the penalties associated with a drunk driving charge depends on the severity of the accident and whether it is the offender’s first DUI. Someone who has committed several DUI offenses will face greater penalties than someone who is on their first offense.

Still, you should never let guilt prevent you from contacting the police following an accident with a drunk driver. They brought these consequences onto themselves when they chose to drink and drive, so do everything in your power to hold them accountable and get the justice you deserve.

Compensation in Drunk Driving Accident Claims

Drunk driving accidents can cause serious damage to a person physically, emotionally, and financially. Victims deserve fair compensation for their losses. Drunk driver accident lawyers in Horn Lake can help you recover this compensation.

Though, how much you stand to recover is based on your damages and whether any punitive damages are claimed in the criminal case associated with your accident. The damages you can recover include economic damages, which are tangible losses associated with real-world losses, like medical bills and lost wages. You also stand to be compensated for intangible losses in the form of non-economic damages, which include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.

To find out exactly what your case is worth, it helps to have a Horn Lake drunk driver accident attorney calculate your damages. Reach out to one now to learn how much you stand to recover through a claim.

Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC Will Protect Your Rights

Being hit by a drunk driver is a devastating experience. You can still ensure that your rights are protected following the accident that injured you. All you need to do is get a personal injury lawyer to represent you as you file a legal claim.

This process is not easy, so you will need all of the support you can get. Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi PLC has a long record of successfully defending the rights of drunk driving accident victims. To speak with one of our drunk driver accident attorneys in Horn Lake today, use the contact form on this page.