Alabama Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

Few acts are as completely careless or reckless as driving while impaired by alcohol. Drunk drivers in Alabama endanger the health and safety of themselves, their passengers and everyone else on or near the road. If they cause injury or death, they must be held accountable – and that accountability should not end with criminal charges. Drunk drivers must also be held financially responsible for their actions.

If a drunk driver caused a car accident that injured you or caused the loss of a loved one, contact the dedicated personal injury lawyers of Serious Injury Law Group today. We will fight for the win for you and pursue all compensation that you are entitled to receive. With years of experience fighting big insurance companies, we will never ask you to take less than you deserve. Call or reach us online for a free consultation through one of our offices in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile or Lowndes County.

What Are the Drunk Driving Laws in Alabama?

One important issue in your Alabama auto accident case will be proving whether the other driver was impaired as a matter of law. So, you should understand how Alabama defines drunk driving.

First, for drivers who are age 21 or older, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher is considered to be “driving under the influence.” If the driver operates a commercial vehicle, then the BAC level is just 0.04. So, even if a driver did not take a breathalyzer or had a low BAC, this does not automatically mean that he or she was “sober” in the eyes of the law. A person can still receive a DWI charge based on a number of factors such as dash cam evidence, the police officer’s observations, field sobriety tests and witness statements.

Second, minors are not allowed to drink in Alabama. So, the law makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 or greater. This is considered to be driving under the influence.

Sadly, many crashes in Alabama and elsewhere involve drivers who have a history of drunk driving violations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drivers who are involved in fatal crashes with high BAC levels (greater than 0.08) are 4.5 times more likely to have prior alcohol-related convictions. This tells us that repeat offenders are a big problem. They continue to break the law and disregard the safety of others.

Can You Sue the Drunk Driver Who Caused Your Accident?

Under Alabama law, you can sue someone who carelessly or recklessly hurts you – and nothing could more negligent than getting behind the wheel of a car after drinking. In most drunk driving accident cases, a person sues the driver of another car who hit them. However, if you were a passenger in a car that a drunk driver operated, then you also have a right to sue that driver for your injuries. The insurance company may try to argue that you were partially to blame because you should have known that the driver was impaired. At Serious Injury Law Group, our lawyers will vigorously fight back against such claims.

Can You Sue the Person Who Gave Alcohol to the Drunk Driver?

In addition to pursuing your case against the intoxicated person who caused your injuries, you may have a right to file suit against certain individuals and businesses if their conduct resulted in the drunk driver being on the road. This is known as a “Dram Shop” case. In general, you could sue three types of parties in this type of claim in Alabama:

• An establishment that served alcohol to a minor, and the minor caused your injuries due to intoxication
• An establishment that served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated, and that person caused your injuries due to intoxication
• A social host who served alcohol in violation of the law such as to a minor, and that intoxicated person caused your injuries due to intoxication.

Additionally, if the drunk driver was on the job at the time, his or her employer may be liable as well. A negligent employer may also be responsible for knowingly hiring someone with a history of drunk driving. Even a friend or family member who knows a person is intoxicated but lets them borrow his or her vehicle may be liable under the law.

Serious Injury Law Group will explore all sources of compensation and identify all responsible parties in order to maximize the compensation that you can recover.

What Damages Can You Pursue in a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit?

Our dedicated legal team at Serious Injury Law Group will work hard to pursue full compensation for your injuries if a drunk driver harmed you or caused the loss of a loved one. The damages you recover may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and diminished future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages
• Wrongful death damages (such as funeral and burial expenses and loss of your loved one’s financial support).

Our Experienced Alabama Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Can Help You

The drunk driving accident lawyers of Serious Injury Law Group are all Alabama natives and residents. We live in the communities that we serve, and we care about what happens here. By holding drunk drivers accountable through our civil justice system, we believe that we help to make the roads in our communities safer.

If a drunk driver injured you or a loved one, contact us today to discuss your case with an attorney at one of our offices in Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile or Lowndes County. We won’t charge you for your consultation, and you won’t pay us anything unless we obtain a recovery for you.

Alabama limits the time you have to bring a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit after a car accident. So, don’t wait to get the legal help you deserve. Call or reach us online today.