Car Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers and Pedestrians | Belt, Bruner & Barnett

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Car Accidents Involving Drunk Drivers and Pedestrians

May 24, 2017 | Alcohol Injury

Drunk driving is a serious problem across the U.S., including in Alabama. Between 2003 and 2012, there were 3,190 fatalities due to drunk driving accidents in Alabama, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That amounts to hundreds of unnecessary fatal car accidents in Alabama because individuals made errors in judgment or got behind the wheel without caring for other people’s safety.

This issue is particularly prominent for people in their 20s and early 30s. After turning 21, many men and women enjoy heading to bars and clubs. Unfortunately, without a designated driver or the willingness to pay for a taxi, these partygoers may irresponsibly drive home and make the downtown or busy nightlife areas particularly unsafe for other drivers and pedestrians.

If you were injured in a drunk driver-pedestrian accident while enjoying a night out with friends, do not hesitate to seek out experienced legal advice regarding your right to compensation. The car accident lawyers of Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. are here to help. Call us at (205) 933-1500 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Your Rights After a Car Accident Involving a Drunk Driver

When you are injured in an accident caused by a driver, whether you were another motorist, passenger, or a pedestrian, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims are based on the fact that the driver was negligent, reckless, or intentionally harmful. In most situations, you will seek to prove that the driver was negligent, which means they failed to uphold their duty to drive safely, obey the law, and not put other lives at risk. If you can show the driver’s negligence caused the accident that resulted in your injuries, then you may be able to obtain:

  • Medical costs
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Physical pain
  • Mental anguish
  • Disfigurement
  • Physical impairment
  • Loss of quality of life

Proving Negligence in a Drunk Driver and Pedestrian Accident

If the driver who caused your injuries was inebriated at the time of the accident, then this is strong evidence of negligence. First, alcohol leads to physical and psychological effects that make it difficult and unsafe for a person to operate a vehicle. It dulls the senses, decreases inhibitions, reduces the likelihood of the driver noticing a hazard, slows reaction times, and limits motor control. Driving after drinking a significant amount of alcohol is inherently dangerous and increases the risk of an accident. Second, because of the dangers of drunk driving, it is illegal. This unlawful activity is clear proof that the driver was irresponsible and careless.

When you move forward with a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit, you and your attorney will use evidence of the other driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) and physical and mental state to prove negligence. If you can show that the driver was intoxicated, such as driving with a BAC above the legal limit of .08 percent, then you have a strong case for receiving compensation. You do not have to wait until the driver is convicted of a DUI to make a claim.

Contact Our Alabama Car Accident Lawyers Today

If you were hit by a drunk driver while crossing the street or chatting with your friends on a sidewalk, you may have suffered significant or catastrophic injuries. Unlike the driver, you had nothing around you to protect you from harm. It is your time now to hold the drunk driver responsible and receive compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries.

However, you may not know how to move forward with a personal injury claim. That is why we are here to help. Our Alabama personal injury lawyers of Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. have more than 65 years of collective experience representing individuals in a wide variety of cases. We understand the ins and outs of Alabama law related to both insurance claims and lawsuits. We can guide you through the process of seeking compensation from insurance and if necessary, taking your claim to court.

For more information on your rights and legal options, contact Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. at (205) 933-1500 to schedule a free consultation. With offices in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our attorneys can help you obtain compensation for your damages at a location more convenient to you.