Durham Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Injured by a Drunk Driver in Durham, NC?

Drunk driving is a serious, preventable public health issue. Every day, countless people get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. While some people are able to drive safely after drinking, many are not. In fact, drunk driving is the leading cause of fatal car accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 1,000 people die in drunk driving accidents in the U.S. every single day.

If you were injured or your loved one was killed in a drunk driving accident, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden of the harm done. At Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC, we believe you deserve to be fairly compensated for your damages. Our Durham drunk driving accident lawyers are dedicated to holding negligent drivers accountable. We fight to ensure you receive the maximum compensation available under the law.

Contact us online or call (919) 891-8361 today for a free consultation.

How Does a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit Work?

In North Carolina, a person who is injured or killed in a car accident can sue the driver who caused the crash for negligence. To prove negligence, you will need to show the court that the driver owed you a duty of care, that the driver breached that duty of care, and that this breach caused your injuries. In most car accident cases, the driver breached their duty of care by driving carelessly or recklessly. However, in drunk driving accidents, the driver almost always breaches their duty of care by getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.

To win your lawsuit, you will need to prove the following:

• You were injured or your loved one was killed
• The driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash
• You were injured due to the drunk driving accident
• You sustained damages as a result of the crash

If you can prove all of these elements, the court will likely award you compensation for your damages. This compensation can include money to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the crash.

Types of Damages You Can Sue For

In a drunk driving accident lawsuit, you can sue for both economic and non-economic damages. The most common types of damages you can sue for include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may also be able to sue for punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the driver for their reckless and negligent actions. Punitive damages are usually awarded in cases where the driver's negligence was especially egregious.

How Much Compensation Can You Receive?

The amount of compensation you will be able to receive in your case will depend on a variety of factors. One of the most important factors is the severity of your injuries. If you suffered only minor injuries, you might be able to receive a smaller settlement. However, if you were severely injured and require ongoing medical treatment, you might be able to receive a large settlement.

In addition to the severity of your injuries, the circumstances of the crash can also affect the amount of compensation you can receive. If the driver was intoxicated to an extreme, you might be able to receive a higher settlement. If the driver was texting or otherwise distracted at the time of the crash, you might also be able to receive a larger settlement. In some cases, the driver's insurance company may even try to blame the victim for the crash. If the victim was intoxicated at the time of the crash, the insurance company might claim the victim's negligence contributed to the crash.

If the insurance company tries to blame you for the crash, our Durham drunk driving accident attorneys can help. We can investigate the crash and fight to prove the driver's negligence was the only cause of the crash. We can also work to prove the victim's innocence and fight to have the victim's name cleared.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, our team at Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC is here to help. We know how to effectively hold negligent drivers accountable and can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

To learn more about your legal options, contact us online or call (919) 891-8361 today.