Birmingham Alcohol-related Accident Lawyers

Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable

Drunk driving is a crime, and drunk drivers face criminal sanctions. If they cause a car, truck, motorcycle or other type of accident, Alabama law gives victims the right to be compensated through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.

At the Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C., we will take action on your behalf against all parties responsible for the harm inflicted on you in a drunk driving crash. These parties could include:

• The drunk driver
• The driver’s employer if the DUI accident occurred within the scope of the driver’s job
• The bar, liquor store, grocery store or social club which served the driver alcohol despite the driver’s being visibly intoxicated at the time. (These are called “Dram shop laws.”)

We’ll seek the full amount of money that you and your family are entitled to receive. In addition to compensatory damages, we can also seek what are called “punitive” damages. These funds are awarded to punish drunk drivers and deter drunk driving. We want to help you send a strong message: Drunk driving will not be tolerated in Birmingham. 

Drunk Driving Facts in Birmingham

Drunk driving injures people. Even worse, drunk driving kills people. Yet, despite decades of stepped-up law enforcement campaigns and heightened public awareness, drunk driving continues in Birmingham and across the country. The most recent annual federal statistics show that more than 10,000 people died on U.S. roads in car accidents involving legally intoxicated drivers.

An alcohol-impaired driver is one with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher. When one’s BAC reaches that point, they are considered legally intoxicated in Birmingham, Alabama, and everywhere else in the U.S. As statistics show, they are also more likely to commit driver errors that cause accidents, injuries and deaths.

Unfortunately, drunk driving remains a constant threat on our roads. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that a DUI-related fatality occurs every 45 minutes. According to recent data from Alabama’s Department of Transportation, drunk driving crashes killed 210 people in 2019.

How We Can Help

Alcohol-related accidents are complex and evidence fades quickly. You only have two years to file an alcohol-related injury case in Alabama courts. It can take significant time to piece together evidence for a claim. Thus, it is important to seek the help of experienced Birmingham personal injury lawyers as soon as possible.

It can be difficult to make sense of cold evidence, so it’s essential that you start the investigation process quickly. The Alabama alcohol injury lawyers at Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C. will work quickly to preserve evidence related to your accident and start building a case in your favor.

When you schedule your free consultation, we’ll discuss what happened to you and talk about your options going forward. We know it can be difficult to prove that someone other than the intoxicated person is also liable for your injuries. However, we are experienced in proving fault and will work diligently to help you recover the maximum compensation possible from all parties who are responsible.

We’re Knowledgeable in Drunk Driving Laws

An injury caused by an intoxicated person can take a heavy toll on your life. While recovering, you may have many questions that are best answered by a skilled lawyer. Some of the important topics our attorneys can discuss include what to expect from the process, how personal injury lawsuits work, the types and amount of compensation you may be able to expect, and other topics.

• Drunk-Driving Accidents — Intoxicated drivers cause thousands of alcohol-related crash injuries. Injuries caused by drunk drivers can result severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. But criminal charges aren’t the only way to hold a drunk driver accountable for causing harm to others. If you have been injured by a drunk driver, you can seek compensation in through a personal injury lawsuit. Our lawyers can explain your legal options after being the victim of drunk-driving accident.
• Alcohol Server Liability & Dram Shop Laws — Under Alabama’s Dram Shop Act (Ala. Code Section 6-5-71), the person who sold or served alcohol to the intoxicated person may also be liable for injuries caused by any kind of alcohol-related accidents, not just traffic accidents. You may be able to recover compensation from the intoxicated person as well as anyone who contributed to his or her intoxication. Our lawyers can discuss whether this might be an option in your case and what you may expect.

Every case is different, so we encourage you to contact us with specific questions about your case. We’re here with answers. Call us today at 844-239-2891.