Drunk Driving Injury Attorneys Serving Memphis
Advocating for those injured in a drunk driving accidents in West Tennessee
Although everyone knows it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, many people do so anyway – and they cause serious accidents and catastrophic injuries to others every day. Although most of these individuals are rightly charged with a crime, these penalties typically do nothing for the victims, who suffer the most from a drunk driver’s negligent actions.
The skilled Memphis drunk driving accident injury attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC are prepared to hold those responsible for our clients’ injuries accountable for their actions. We help families recover compensation for the medical care, home care services, lost income, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and other losses that can come from a serious drunk driving accident. We are here to help you.
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- How often do people drink and drive?
- What are common injuries from drunk driving accidents?
- What are the rights of Memphis drunk driving accident victims?
- How do I file an injury claim against a Memphis drunk driver?
- Are punitive damages available in a Memphis drunk driving accident injury case?
- How can a Memphis drunk driving injury attorney help?
- Is there a drunk driving injury attorney near me?
How often do people drink and drive?
Every day in the United States, 28 people die in alcohol-related traffic crashes. That amounts to about one person dying every 52 minutes in 2019, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). While drunk driving fatalities have decreased by one-third in the past three decades, drunk driving is still a serious threat to traffic safety.
Every year, about 10,000 people still die in drunk driving crashes. In 2019, that’s 10,142 lives ended because someone decided that they were sober enough to drive themselves home. The damages from the deaths and property damage for these traffic crashes costs more than $44 billion every year. In Tennessee in 2020, there were 5,853 known alcohol-related traffic crashes according to the TN Department of Safety & Homeland Security. Those who survive an alcohol-related crash will likely have devastating injuries that will affect the rest of their lives.
What are common injuries from drunk driving accidents?
Alcohol-related traffic crashes often cause devastating injuries, including the following:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck and back injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Cuts and Lacerations
- Fractures
- Limb loss
- Injury to internal organs
These injuries can take anywhere from weeks to years to the rest of your life to heal, depending on their severity. Aside from the physical and emotional toll, coping with such serious problems is no inexpensive venture. Between surgeries and treatments and any additional accommodations and medications, medical debt could quickly mount to several hundred thousand dollars or more.
What are the rights of Memphis drunk driving accident victims?
After an accident with a drunk and negligent driver, you have the right to pursue compensation though a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or through a lawsuit. When an individual makes the choice to get behind the wheel after having had too much to drink, they are choosing to engage in negligent, reckless behavior that puts the lives of other drivers and their own life at risk.
Per the NHTSA, at .08 percent BAC (blood alcohol concentration), a person begins to lose muscle coordination, their judgement and reaction times become impaired, their level of alertness is lowered, and their memory, reasoning, and self-control are also impaired. These effects make the task of driving difficult, and if something unexpected should occur, the driver’s reaction time and ability to respond to an emergency are far from ideal.
Drivers owe a duty of care to the other drivers with whom they share the road. When someone knowingly engages in reckless behavior behind the wheel, they can be held liable for the injuries they cause if there is an accident. A person who has been injured in a drunk driving crash can pursue compensation for their injuries from the at-fault driver. Damages may include compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses, including therapies, medications, surgeries, and any care-takers. Life-long accommodations and travel to appointments would also be covered.
- Lost wages, meaning you would be repaid for what you have missed from work while recovering. If you are never able to return to your job, additional compensation may be available.
- Pain and suffering, both physically and emotionally.
- Other losses, such as replacing or repairing your vehicle.
How do I file an injury claim against a Memphis drunk driver?
In a regular car accident claim, the injured party (the plaintiff) has the burden of proof to prove the at-fault driver’s (the defendant) negligence. However, under Tennessee law, drunk driving is a criminal offense. If the defendant is charged with a DUI and convicted of drunk driving, they have done the work for you to prove their negligence. If you wait until the criminal proceedings are completed, you and your attorney can file a civil action. The defendant’s DUI conviction will be helpful in proving fault in the civil trial.
However, a criminal case and a civil case are two different proceedings, and even if the driver who injured you is not convicted, it does not mean you will not have a successful case. Our Memphis attorneys can explain more in a consultation.
Are punitive damages available in a Memphis drunk driving accident injury case?
Unlike compensatory damages, which intend to compensate the injured party for a specific loss, punitive damages have the intent to punish the defendant for their reckless behavior. The facts of each case will determine whether punitive damages might apply, such as when the driver had an excessively high BAC. Your Memphis drunk driving accident injury attorney will advise you about whether punitive damages might be available in your specific circumstances.
How can a Memphis drunk driving injury attorney help?
Those who suffer long-term injuries in alcohol-related traffic crashes will face significant medical bills and lost income when they are unable to do the work they once did to support their families. Taking legal action against the responsible party allows the injured party to recover the compensation they need to get on with their lives after it has been shattered by the reckless behavior of a drunk driver.
The person responsible for causing the accident, and their insurance company, will likely do everything they can to avoid taking accountability and paying for the damages they caused. In other words, they will definitely have an attorney on their side working to poke holes in your specific case, no matter how damaged you are or how clear-cut the story may be.
In order for you to win, you must be able to prove that the defendant not only caused your injuries, but was also impaired behind the wheel. Without an attorney, you would be surprised at just how difficult this can be, especially against someone who DOES have representation.
Let a professional advocate for your rights and your compensation on your behalf so you can focus on resting, recovering, and getting back to your life. You have been through enough, and attempting to fight this fight alone will cost you more time, effort, and money than any attorney.
Is there a drunk driving accident attorney near me?
Bailey & Greer, PLLLC has offices at 6256 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN. We’re near Route 240 and offer off-street parking. We also have offices in Jackson and represent folks throughout West Tennessee. If your injuries are too severe for you to travel, we can make arrangements to visit you or meet via video chat.
Work with a compassionate, experienced Memphis drunk driving accident injury attorney today
The aftermath of a serious drunk driving accident can be devastating but choosing a lawyer who cares about your future should not be. The experienced Memphis attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC, have a solid history of successful drunk driving accident injury representation with clients throughout West Tennessee. To speak with a skilled member of our team about your case, please call 901-475-7434 or fill out our contact form. We maintain offices in both Memphis and Jackson for your convenience.
