There are plenty of options for getting home after a night out drinking. But many people still get behind the wheel while drunk, often leading to severe and life-changing car wrecks.
Have you been hurt in a collision with a drunk driver? If so, you should not bear the financial burden of someone else’s wrongdoing. The Hartford drunk driving lawyers at Jainchill & Beckert can help you seek the compensation and justice you deserve after a drunk driving accident. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation.
What Are the Dangers of Drunk Driving?
Alcohol impairs a driver’s sight, delays their reaction time, and impairs their judgment. It also lowers inhibitions and impulse control, leading some intoxicated drivers to speed or drive more recklessly than they would sober.
Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car wrecks in Connecticut. Unfortunately, the aftermath of these violent collisions often leaves victims with severe injuries or leads to fatalities. Contact a Hartford drunk driver accident lawyer today.
What Is the Legal BAC Level in Connecticut?
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) measures alcohol in a person’s blood as a percentage. In Connecticut, an adult 21 or older is legally intoxicated with a BAC of 0.08. An adult under 21 is legally intoxicated with a BAC of 0.02.
BAC indicates how much alcohol a person has had to drink. For most people, one to three drinks will put them over the legal limit. But a person’s weight, gender, and genetics affect BAC.
How Often Do Drunk Driving Accidents Happen in Connecticut?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that about 37 people in the United States die daily from drunk driving collisions. Connecticut has a high rate of drunk driving fatalities relative to the rest of the nation. According to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, nearly 40 percent of total fatalities in Connecticut are alcohol-impaired driving fatalities. That’s higher than the national average of 28 percent.
According to the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, there were nearly 3,000 DUI crashes in the state over just one recent year. Almost 100 of them happened here in Hartford, involving over 200 people.
What Are My Legal Options After a Hartford Drunk Driving Accident?
If you’ve been struck by a drunk driver, you can file a claim with the driver’s auto insurance policy or file a lawsuit against them in civil court. An insurer might try to deny liability for a drunk driving accident or minimize your claim to avoid paying you. And if your injuries and other losses are extensive, you might need more compensation than the drunk driver’s insurance policy can provide. If so, you might consider filing a lawsuit for maximum compensation. When an insurer refuses to negotiate a fair settlement, you can take them to court to seek the financial relief you deserve.
A Hartford drunk driving lawyer can evaluate your case, determine its value, and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf. If the insurer refuses to settle, your attorney can represent you at trial and advocate for your rights.
Does Connecticut Have a Dram Shop Law?
Connecticut has a “dram shop” law, which can affect your drunk driving collision settlement. Dram shop laws hold alcohol sellers accountable if they sell or serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later causes a drunk driving accident. For instance, if a bartender serves a drink to a clearly drunk customer who then gets behind the wheel and causes a crash, the bar’s owner could be liable for injuries and damage from the collision.
The law stipulates that a liable alcohol seller must pay damages to the person injured, capped at $250,000 total per accident. However, the injured person must give written notice within 120 days of the accident to the alcohol seller, informing the seller of their intention to take legal action. If the accident was fatal, written notice must be given within 180 days of the accident.
What Compensation Could I Be Owed for a Drunk Driving Accident in Hartford?
Victims of drunk driving accidents are entitled to seek compensation for all the losses they suffer from the collision. Contact our Hartford car accident lawyer today.
A Hartford drunk driving lawyer can evaluate your case and calculate the total compensation you are owed, including for:
- Medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, medical equipment, and medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages if you cannot work while you heal from your injuries or can only work part-time
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injuries result in a permanent disability or impairment that prevents you from returning to your job or being gainfully employed
- Property damage, including costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Loss of quality of life if you can no longer participate in hobbies or activities that you once enjoyed
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Under specific circumstances, a lawyer may also seek punitive damages against a drunk driver or another party responsible for the drunk driving accident. A judge or jury may award punitive damages in cases where a defendant’s actions were especially reckless or showed a willful disregard for the safety of others. However, punitive damages are rare. You should consult an experienced drunk driver accident attorney to determine what damages are available in your case.
Contact a Hartford Drunk Driving Lawyer
Were you injured in a collision with a drunk driver? If so, you might face overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The experienced attorneys at Jainchill & Beckert can help you seek the compensation you deserve after a drunk driving accident. You don’t have to face this challenging time alone. Contact our Hartford drunk driving lawyers today for a free consultation about your case. Contact our Hartford personal injury attorney today.
