Holding a Drunk Driver Accountable for Your Injuries
We like to think that the other drivers on the road are being as careful and conscientious as we are. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Instead, someone else might be driving under the influence, and if they hit you, the damage to you and your vehicle will likely be severe.
It’s a difficult situation, and you’ll need help holding a drunk driver accountable for your injuries. They’ve committed a crime, and now you’re suffering for it. You’ll need compensation to recover, but you’ll also need help fighting back. Get help navigating the unique challenges of a drunk driving accident before you file your claim.
Criminal Trials and Civil Lawsuits
After the driver is arrested for driving under the influence, there will be a criminal trial. Unfortunately, many people assume that this will be the only trial. You may think that you’ll need to get compensation now, or you won’t receive it.
Keep in mind, however, that the criminal trial is not meant to compensate you. Instead, it’s meant to punish the wrongdoer for breaking the law. During this trial, their sentence and fines will be decided, once it’s been proven that they committed the crime in question.
Victims of drunk drivers will need to wait for the criminal trial to conclude before they file their own claims in civil court. A lawsuit will focus on your damages, and this will be a little easier to prove. You won’t need to prove that they committed a crime. Instead, you’ll need to prove that their negligence injured you, and the evidence from the criminal trial may help you.
Getting Compensation for Your Crash Injuries
When you’re ready to file your claim, you’ll need to find how much your claim is truly worth. You may need a lawyer to calculate these properly, since intangible damages can be more complex. Your damages should be either compensatory or punitive.
As you might guess, compensatory damages are provided to compensate you. For example, after the car crash, you’ll need compensation for your hospital bills and car repairs, which are often expensive. You’ll also need compensation for the emotional or mental effects an accident can have. For example, you might have flashbacks, nightmares, or anxiety because of the accident, all of which should be compensated.
The second type of damages are awarded less often, but in devastating claims, you may wish to seek them out. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defense for extreme negligence or malice, rather than to compensate you for your losses. While these damages may be rarer, your lawyer may help you seek them for your claim.
Get Help from a DUI Accident Attorney
When you’ve been injured, recovery is already difficult. If you have suffered from a drunk driving accident, you may feel that you’re in even worse shape, and it can be overwhelming to try holding a drunk driver accountable for your injuries.
That’s why you’ll need a lawyer from Hipskind & McAninch, LLC on your side. Fighting back is difficult, but a lawyer can help you do so and get justice when a drunk driver hurts you. If you’re struggling after a car accident with a drunk driver, reach out for help, which starts with your free claim review. Contact us by calling 618-230-3016 or by filling out the online form below.
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