Drunk driving is a serious crime in North Carolina, and offenders are punished harshly. Unfortunately, this punishment may come after they have already caused an accident resulting in serious injuries to the victim.
If you have injuries from a crash due to an intoxicated driver, the Salisbury car accident lawyers from DeMayo Law Offices want to hear from you. We can help you pursue a personal injury claim against the drunk driver to recover compensation for your injury-related losses, such as medical bills, lost work income, and more.
Our team has over 250 years of combined experience and has recovered over $1 billion for clients from all walks of life. Contact us today to see how a drunk driving victim accident lawyer in Salisbury can help.
How a Salisbury Drunk Driving Victim Accident Lawyer Can Help After a Drunk Driving Accident
After a serious drunk driving accident, the last thing you want to deal with is insurance proceedings and potential litigation. You need time and space to recover from your injury and start rebuilding your life.
A Salisbury personal injury lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and represent you during insurance proceedings. If necessary, they can initiate formal legal action and take the responsible individual to court in a civil lawsuit. A lawyer will handle the legal legwork so that you can focus on healing.
Ultimately, hiring a personal injury attorney can greatly increase your chances of achieving a satisfactory outcome. You owe it to yourself to hire strong legal representation to help you hold irresponsible parties accountable for their negligence.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving victim accident lawyer serving Salisbury, call (877) 333-1000
Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents in North Carolina
North Carolina law defines driving while intoxicated (DWI) as operating a motor vehicle on a public street or highway with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level over 0.08%. For commercial drivers operating large trucks, the BAC limit is instead 0.04%.
An important part of this law is that any driver who drives drunk is per se negligent. When a driver violates drunk driving laws, any ensuing civil trial automatically assumes the drunk driver was negligent and so legally liable for injuries.
Additionally, North Carolina has dram shop laws that can hold businesses liable if they sell alcohol to someone who then causes drunk driving injuries. Through a personal injury claim, you can pursue compensation from any party whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
Salisbury Drunk Driving Victim Accident Lawyer Near Me (877) 333-1000
What Kind of Compensation Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?
Medical bills from a drunk driving accident can put you under enormous financial strain, not to mention the pain and discomfort from your injuries. A drunk driving victim accident lawyer in Salisbury can pursue compensation for the following types of losses:
- Emergency medical bills and future medical expenses
- Lost wages/salary and other forms of employment compensation
- Reduced lifetime earning capacity due to permanent disability or impairment
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket injury expenses
- Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and mental anguish
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life or hobbies
- Discomfort and inconvenience from scarring and disfigurement
You may also be able to recover punitive damages in North Carolina drunk driving cases. The state allows punitive damages in personal injury claims where the offender acted with malice or wanton disregard for others’ safety. Drunk driving would likely qualify as wanton misconduct, thus justifying punitive damages.
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What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident
The initial chaos after a drunk driving accident can be disorienting, especially if you have serious injuries. But you need to take proactive steps now to safeguard your ability to recover compensation:
- First, call the police and emergency services. The police will generate an official accident report and arrest the drunk driver, while EMS can provide necessary emergency treatment.
- Document the scene as much as possible with pictures and recordings. Acquire the drunk driver’s contact and insurance information, and take statements from eyewitnesses.
- Go to a doctor and get a formal diagnosis for your injuries. Keep hard and digital copies of your medical records, like lab reports, imaging results, and discharge paperwork.
- Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer. An attorney can organize your documents, gather additional evidence, and initiate the insurance claim process.
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Time Limit for Filing a Drunk Driving Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina
According to NC General Statutes 1-52, you typically have up to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, with shorter deadlines for dram shop cases and certain other situations.
This time limit starts counting from the date you sustained or discovered your injuries. Once the three-year timer expires, you’ll lose your chance to sue for compensation, no matter how severe your injuries.
As such, time is of the essence in drunk driving accident cases. Three years might seem like a long time, but it can take months or years to build a strong case. The longer your delays, the greater the risk that your claim will be denied due to insufficient evidence.
Contact Our Offices Today for a Case Consultation
When your life is in chaos, you need a Salisbury drunk driving victim accident lawyer you can rely on to fight for what’s right. DeMayo Law Offices is proud to be a stalwart advocate for the injured and can help you pick up the pieces and rebuild after a devastating drunk driving accident.
Contact our offices today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a team member. Consultations are free, and we don’t take a fee unless we win your case, so there is no risk to getting in touch.
Call or text (877) 333-1000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
