No matter how many awareness campaigns law enforcement runs, there will also be people who get behind the wheel after having had too much to drink. They make you pay the price for their selfish and illegal actions.
While they can pay a steep price for their own actions in criminal court, it does not exactly help you deal with the crushing expenses and damages from the drunk driving accident.
Thankfully, you may also seek financial compensation by filing an insurance claim or civil lawsuit against the responsible driver.
You should contact experienced Manassas drunk driving accident attorneys at Right Path Law Group , for the legal help you need. You may not even know your rights or how to protect them. We will stand up for you when the insurance company tries to push you around. We have built a track record of helping clients just like you.
Why Choose the Right Path Law Group’s Manassas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers?
We have deep ties to Northern Virginia. We know the residents, the area, and the court system. We are a part of the community we serve and take great pride in helping accident victims get what they deserve.
Our law firm knows how to fight for the rights of our clients. Insurance companies know us, and they understand that we mean business. When insurance companies fear your lawyer, it gives you a better chance of getting full compensation for your injuries.
We have offices in Fairfax and Manassas, serving clients in Fairfax, Prince William, and Loudoun Counties. Contact Right Path Law Group , to learn more about our team today.
Where Do Accidents Occur in Northern Virginia?
Drunk driving accidents can happen on major Northern Virginia highways, such as I-95 and I-395. There have also been major accidents on thoroughfares, such as the Dulles Toll Road and I-66. In addition to interstates, there are also accidents on major roads like Leesburg Pike and Route 1.
Northern Virginia roads are traffic-clogged and have only gotten worse since major employers like Amazon have moved thousands of jobs to the region. Drunk drivers can wreak havoc on local traffic and cause serious injuries.
Drunk Driving Accidents Kills Thousands and Injure Many More
Roughly one out of every three traffic fatalities in the United States occur in accidents that involve alcohol. Countless more people suffered an injury in these accidents. Drunk drivers, whether consciously or because of the effects of alcohol, prioritize their own interests over your safety and well-being.
Drunk driving accidents often result in more serious injuries than other types of motor vehicle crashes. Drivers have no warning whatsoever of an impending accident. Drunk driving accidents also occur at higher speeds, and there is often an element of reckless driving involved.
Common Drunk Driving Accident Injuries
Drunk driving accident injuries can include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Lacerations and contusions
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
You may have suffered extensive physical injuries from your accident; the medical costs alone to treat your injuries can be prohibitive before you even account for any of your other damages. You need to begin the legal process as soon as possible because it can take considerable time to reach an agreement with the insurance company.
There Are Several Ways to Obtain Justice in Your Case
Your focus is understandably on getting justice for the accident. You are angry that an irresponsible drunk driver has seriously injured you or a family member. You want to do something, and a lawyer can help.
The drunk driver may be accountable in several ways after they cause injuries to you in an accident. The first and most obvious way they are punished is through the criminal justice process. They will likely face at least a misdemeanor charge for their conduct. If they have caused you serious bodily injury, they can even face felony charges.
The Criminal and Civil Processes Are Different
The criminal justice process in Virginia operates in a parallel universe from the civil justice system. You may barely even be involved in the criminal process. The prosecutor must have evidence, often including the officer’s testimony, breathalyzer test results, and a possible blood test.
They may need your testimony at some point during the process, but the case will be out of your hands.
The prosecutor also has a higher burden of proof in a criminal case. They must prove their case to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt. This standard means that no reasonable jury could reach any conclusion other than the defendant is guilty. This standard equates to almost 100 percent certainty that the defendant is guilty.
You Still Need to Prove Liability for the Accident
It is important to know that liability is not always a given in a drunk driving accident case. You still have to prove that the other driver did something unreasonable under the circumstances.
The mere fact that they were drunk is not automatically negligence. However, drunk drivers are almost always responsible for accidents that they cause when they are drunk.
Regardless of the outcome of the criminal case, you must meet your own burden of proof in the civil case. Thankfully for you, the standard of proof is lower in a civil case. You have to prove your case by a preponderance of the evidence.
This standard of proof is less than the standard the prosecutor must meet in the civil case. It is theoretically possible for the prosecutor to fail to win a conviction, and you can still win your civil case.
If the prosecutor wins a conviction, you will not automatically receive compensation from the drunk driver. While a conviction can help your case, it is not the only factor. You should prepare to fight for compensation with the right Manassas drunk driving accident attorney from Right Path Law Group .
Law enforcement may not be forthcoming with the evidence that they have that shows what the drunk driver did. Your lawyer may have to subpoena the test results from law enforcement, who may not share them with you. It is very difficult to get this evidence on your own without the help of an experienced Manassas drunk driving accident lawyer from Right Path Law Group .
Fighting the Insurance Company to Get Full Financial Compensation for Your Injuries
The first place you will likely turn for compensation is to the driver’s insurance company. The auto insurance should cover a drunk driving accident the same as it will any other car crash. The driver usually has followed state law and purchased insurance coverage for at least the policy minimum.
Hopefully, they have purchased more coverage than the minimum to protect themselves from liability. The insurance company will be liable to pay you up to the amount of the policy limit.
In theory, the insurance company makes things much more difficult for you. Even though they know that their driver caused the accident, they will still do whatever is possible to avoid paying you what you deserve. They can use any of a number of tricks to cut your payment.
If the drunk driver did not have enough insurance coverage, you might then turn to your own insurance company to pay for the rest of your damages. Hopefully, you have underinsured motorist coverage as part of your insurance policy. Then, your own insurance company will be responsible for paying damages up to the amount of your own coverage.
Do not assume that your own insurance company will be any easier to deal with than that of the other driver. Your own insurance company also has its own financial motivations, and its intentions do not include paying you for the full amount of your damages.
Compensation in a Drunk Driving Accident Case
If you have suffered an injury in a drunk driving accident, you may recover full compensation for your injuries. You should receive payment for your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages represent the financial losses that you have suffered.
They can include expenses out of your pocket or money you lost that you should have earned.
Economic damages include:
- The complete cost of your medical expenses
- Property damages
- The cost of medical equipment
- Lost income from missing work or for a loss in your earnings capacity
Then, you should also receive compensation for the non-economic damages you have sustained. Non-economic damages compensate you for the experience of the accident, both what you have endured before filing the claim and in the future.
Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Embarrassment and humiliation
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
You may wonder if you can get punitive damages. A jury assesses these damages when they want to send a message and make an example out of the defendant. A drunk driving accident case is a prime opportunity for the jury to send this message. This prospect often scares the insurance company into being more reasonable in settlement negotiations, but getting them across the finish line may take some effort.
Wrongful Death Drunk Driving Accident Cases
If your loved one died in a drunk driving accident, your family may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the defendant. A wrongful death case is your family’s own personal injury lawsuit. Your loss is the fact that your loved one died in a tragic accident.
Wrongful death damages include:
- The lost income that your loved one should have earned had they lived and continued working
- The loss of the close, loving relationship that the family enjoyed with the deceased person
- The loss of the guidance that the deceased person provided to the family
- The grief and trauma that the family endured when they tragically lost a loved one
- Loss of consortium damages for the spouse
At Right Path Law Group , we handle wrongful death claims stemming from drunk driving crashes.
We Can Negotiate Financial Compensation
Whether you file a claim or a lawsuit, you must deal with at least one insurance company. They will likely make you a settlement offer, offering compensation in exchange for you signing away your legal rights.
The initial settlement offer will likely be for a fraction of what you actually deserve. The insurance company will not pay you any respect because they know that there is little that you can do to hold them accountable. It is up to you to hire a Manassas drunk driving accident attorney to fight for all the compensation to which you are legally entitled.
Undoubtedly, you need an experienced lawyer in a drunk driving accident case. Even if you think liability is clear as day, you still need a tough lawyer to fight for your financial compensation.
The last thing that you want to do is get into a back-and-forth with the insurance company when you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries. The good news is you never have to face the process alone, as Right Path Law Group , is ready to support you.
Consult Our Manassas Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Right After Your Accident
The time to hire a drunk driving accident lawyer is as soon as possible after your accident. You do not want to have to worry about the legal princess when you are dealing with serious physical injuries.
An attorney will handle all the details of your case, allowing you to focus on your health and your family. The legal process is always stressful, but hiring a lawyer minimizes some of the burden on you.
Insurance companies fear lawyers. They know that an attorney is the one person who can take them to task when they are less than fair with you in the legal process. They will look at you differently when you have legal representation because they know you can always take them to court and possibly get more money.
If you are worried about how much it may cost to get legal help, you can put those fears aside. Hiring a lawyer does not cost you anything out of your own pocket. They will not ask you to write them a check for a retainer. You will not see one bill for their hourly fees because there are none.
Your attorney is not volunteering their time, but we are only paid if you win your case. You will not get a surprise legal bill at the end of your case. If your lawyer is paid, the money goes directly to the lawyer from the settlement proceeds. If you do not win, you do not owe any money.
Call us today at (571) 568-8676 for your free claim evaluation with our Manassas personal injury lawyers.