Getting injured or losing a loved one in a drunk driving accident can be devastating. Aside from the physical pain and suffering, the fact that the accident could have easily been avoided – had it not been for the negligence and callous attitude of the drunk driver – can take a heavy toll on you emotionally.
As the victim of a drunk driving accident, you have the right to take legal action against the party at fault – either by filing a claim with their insurance provider or by filing a lawsuit against them.
The personal injury attorneys at Reeves & Mestayer have represented countless victims of drunk driving accidents in Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana over the years. We can represent you, provide you with the support and guidance you need, and recover damages from the parties at fault for the financial and non-financial damages you incurred as a result of the accident.
Since our inception, we have recovered more than $1 billion in damages for our clients, including several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
The Menace of Drunk Driving
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that impaired driving is responsible for the deaths of at least 30 people every day. Every year, more than 10,000 people are killed in impaired driving accidents across the country. In Mississippi, nearly 35% of all traffic deaths are caused by impaired driving.
Alcohol is proven to have a detrimental effect on a person’s reflexes, reaction time, muscle coordination, visual function, self-control, reasoning, and sense of judgment. So, a drunk driver might not be able to control their vehicle, maintain proper lane position, or take evasive action if and when needed, all of which can increase the risk of a collision significantly.
The Consequences of a Drunk Driving Accident
The consequences of an impaired driving accident can be two-fold.
Firstly, you will have to deal with the expenses associated with your injuries. It can include surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and ongoing care, depending on the extent of the injuries you suffered.
The cost of medical care, as you know, is exorbitant in the United States. Even if you have the most comprehensive health insurance plan, you might still have to spend your own money for out-of-pocket expenses, which can drain your bank account in no time.
Secondly, you might not be able to work for a period of time – which can range from a few weeks to a few years, depending on the type of injuries you suffered. It can result in substantial financial losses for you, especially if you happen to be in the prime of your career.
More importantly, if you develop a physical disability or a mental disorder as a result of your injuries, your earning capacity might be severely restricted, which in turn can have an adverse impact on your quality of life.
If you, on the other hand, suffer a catastrophic injury, you might not be able work ever again in your life. A serious injury to your spine or brain, for instance, can leave you paralyzed or result in a severe disability, which can affect your mobility and render you incapable of performing activities of daily living like toileting, bathing, grooming, and eating.
In such cases, you will not only have to spend a fortune on medical treatment and rehabilitation, but also have to deal with the loss of income resulting from your inability to be gainfully employed ever again.
This is why it’s paramount for you to hold the drunk driver – and other parties who might have been at fault – accountable for their actions. First, it can give you a sense of closure. Secondly, and more importantly, the damages you recover can help you pay for your treatment and ongoing care and put your life back together.
The trial attorneys at Reeves & Mestayer have several years of experience in handling DUI personal injury cases in Mississippi. We have highly skilled litigators who can investigate the circumstances under which the accident occurred, identity the parties at fault, and recover sufficient compensatory damages through settlement or trial.
Proving Negligence in Impaired Driving Cases
In order to win a DUI personal injury case, you need to establish the following elements:
- The party at fault had a duty to drive responsibly.
- The party at fault failed in their duty by drinking and driving.
- The party at fault’s breach of duty directly contributed to the accident.
- You incurred damages as a result of the accident.
In a DUI personal injury case, the compensation you are entitled to receive is generally calculated based on the extent of the damages you incurred as a result of the accident. So, you need to provide the following information and documents to make sure that you are adequately compensated:
- Current as well as future medical expenses
- The costs associated with rehabilitation, therapy, and ongoing care
- The costs associated with buying mobility assistance devices
- The costs associated with modifying your residence, in case you are disabled as a result of your injuries
- Lost wages
- Reduction in earning capacity
In addition to this, you can also seek damages for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium, depending on the extent of your injuries and their long-term consequences.
Drunk Driving Attorneys in Mississippi
If you are injured by an impaired driver, it’s crucial to contact an experienced DUI personal injury lawyer right away. Do not try to negotiate on your own with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, even if you think it is an open-and-shut case.
Insurance companies have their own way of confusing, coercing, and bullying victims of DUI accidents without making it seem obvious. As a result, you might end up accepting a low settlement offer without even realizing it.
The DUI personal injury lawyers at Reeves & Mestayer can fight aggressively for your rights, establish the negligence of the impaired driver, and make sure you receive the compensatory damages that you deserve.
Contact our DUI personal injury lawyers at 228-374-5151 today for a free consultation.
