How Can a Newport News DUI Accident Lawyer Help You Recover?

When another person injures you while drunk or high behind the wheel, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation. An attorney experienced in DUI litigation can help you achieve justice.

Car accidents caused by drunk or impaired drivers can be catastrophic and can change your life in the blink of an eye. Drugs and alcohol affect a person’s decision-making capacity.

If you or a family member have been injured as a result of a collision with a drunk or otherwise impaired driver–you deserve justice and an attorney who is willing to fight for you. An experienced DUI lawyer can investigate the crash, gather meaningful evidence, and translate your losses into financial terms that the court can award. This can include the funds necessary if you or your family member require lifelong care.

The attorneys at the Smith Law Center have achieved extraordinary results in DUI car accident cases, particularly those involving traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Contact our Virginia-based attorneys for representation online or by calling (757) 244-7000. We are standing by to fight for you and your family. We represent individuals in Newport News, the surrounding areas, and even nationwide.

What Can a DUI Lawsuit Settlement Cover?

After a DUI accident, you may require extensive care, may be out of work for some time, or may even worry about how you will ever compensate for the emotional toll the accident has taken on you. A settlement in a DUI lawsuit can cover: 

• Economic losses such as lost wages, loss of future income, medical bills, property damage, and more.
• Non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or other intangible harm.
• Wrongful death losses such as funeral costs, and the loss of companionship of your family member.

Because of the nature of DUI cases, punitive damages may also be pursued. Punitive damages are damages awarded by the court to dissuade a certain behavior, or to punish a certain action. Punitive damages are usually granted when an action is especially heinous or malicious. DUI accidents may qualify for these types of damages.

The Smith Law Center is skilled at achieving the maximum settlement for its clients. In total, we have recovered over $1 billion dollars for our clients, including $7.5 million for a woman who suffered a head injury during a car accident in Virginia. The DUI accident lawyers at the Smith Law Center are committed to making sure that you receive the maximum payout that you are entitled to. We understand that these funds will afford you dignified care, and a peaceful healing process.

How Common Are DUI Accidents?

Unfortunately, DUI accidents are fairly common in the United States. DUI statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that:

• More than 10,000 Americans are killed by drunk or impaired drivers each year.
• There are more arrests made for DUIs or drunk driving than there are for murder, rape, or aggravated assault combined.
• Over 22% of drivers over the age of 21 admit to driving while intoxicated. About 12% of drivers admit to driving while intoxicated on a regular basis.

DUI accidents and the circumstances that create them are far too common. These types of accidents cause thousands of deaths each year and can leave those who have been injured in them feeling helpless. If you or a family member have been injured in an accident like this, filing a lawsuit can help you take back control.

DUI Driving in Virginia–Statistics

Recent statistics show that alcohol-related issues are a major issue in Virginia, including in the Newport News area:

• Virginia had over 200 DUI-related fatalities in one year.
• Preventable alcohol-related fatalities made up about 28% of all driving deaths. 
• 78% of drunk drivers had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15, far above the legal limit of 0.08.
• 100% of drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents were repeat offenders. 

Holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions is extremely important. By having the courage to file a DUI accident lawsuit, you are making the statement that negligent behavior will not be tolerated. You are also helping to remove repeat offenders from the roadways, and are possibly even saving lives.

Contact the DUI car accident attorneys at the Smith Law Center online or by calling (757) 244-7000. By taking the steps to file a suit, you can improve your own personal situation as well as hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions.

What Information Does a Drunk Driving Attorney Need?

The more information you can give your DUI accident attorney, the better. Some of the important information that will be helpful to your attorney will include:

• The date and location of the accident so that your attorney can adequately investigate the crash site
• The contact information of everyone involved in the accident including the other driver, passengers, and witnesses if there are any
• The police report that was filed after the accident
• The receipts or bills from any medical care, missed work, or lost wages, expenses related to the damages to your vehicle or vehicle’s repair

Don’t worry if you don’t have this information on hand. It is your attorney’s job to build your case. When you hire a lawyer from the Smith Law Center to represent you, your only job is to heal and focus on your family. Your attorney will do all the work required to build your case and file a lawsuit. This might include filing subpoenas (making a legal demand) to gather information, conducting interviews, and adhering to strict court filing deadlines.

Who Is At Fault In a Drunk Driving Accident?

If you were hit by an intoxicated driver, the driver will almost always bear most of the blame for the accident. However, the opposing counsel may argue that you were partially at fault in order to limit the amount that they have to pay out in a settlement.

It is important to not worry about what the opposing counsel may try and claim. This will be for your lawyer to handle. The attorneys at the Smith Law Center know how to protect you and your reputation and will secure evidence that proves the true cause of the accident. Evidence may include materials or reports that prove the other driver was intoxicated such as: a bartender’s testimony, blood alcohol tests, or police statements.

Even if you think that you may be partially responsible for the accident, that does not prohibit you from recovering financially from the other driver. You may still be entitled to financial compensation even if you have some fault in the accident. Remember that driving while under the influence is illegal and a DUI driver is a lawbreaker. Their actions may have significantly attributed to the accident and to your injuries. Talk to a qualified attorney to learn more about your options.

Contact a Newport News DUI Attorney

Intoxicated and drunk drivers pose a threat to society. Car accidents and truck accidents caused by drunk drivers are simply intolerable. Driving is a privilege and if a drunk driver injures another person on the road, they must be held accountable for their actions.

If you have been injured in a DUI accident your decision to pursue legal action may save the lives of others. By holding negligent drivers responsible for their poor choices and actions, you help make your Newport News community and roadways a safer place to be.

The attorneys at the Smith Law Center have assisted many families and individuals coping with the aftermath of DUI-related car accidents. Our attorneys have helped secure funds that those dealing with catastrophic injuries need to survive and heal. We make sure all of your injuries and all of your losses are considered when calculating a proper payoff–including any long-term effects on an individual’s ability to earn a living in the future.

Contact the Smith Law Center online or by calling (757) 244-7000. We are experienced legal advocates with a track record that speaks for itself. Let us guide you and your family through these difficult times and toward a better tomorrow.

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer FAQs