According to statistics from the NHTSA, over 10,000 people died in drunk driving accidents in 2018. In addition to this, tens of thousands more people are seriously injured after being hit by drunk drivers every year. So, if you have been injured by a driver under the influence, you are not alone.
The consequences of driving a vehicle while impaired can be catastrophic and life-changing. Irresponsible individuals who decide to get behind the wheel when intoxicated endanger those around them. Colorado courts take drunk driving seriously. If you are a victim, it is wise to seek counsel from legal professionals to ensure that you are fairly compensated for your pain, suffering, and monetary losses.
Have you been injured by a drunk driver? Perhaps, your loved one was killed in an accident involving a DUI driver. Do you want to learn more about what actions you can take to get your life back after being victimized in a drunk driving accident? Matlin Injury Law is here for you! Below, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about drunk driving accidents and what you can do to take charge as a victim.
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving lawyer serving Colorado, call 303-777-1000
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Were You Injured By a Drunk Driver in Colorado? Our Team is Here for You!
Has a drunk driving accident caused you serious physical or mental harm? In Colorado, victims of negligent drunk drivers have many resources available. At our personal injury firm, we represent DUI accident victims. Our team is here to help drunk driving accident victims claim the damages they are entitled to.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed by the irresponsible and negligent actions of a drunk driver, let our team of skilled personal injury attorneys fight for you! We will work with you at every stage of your legal journey. From submitting claims to filing lawsuits, we are here for DUI driver victims! We will work hard to ensure that your case is handled with expediency and professionality. Call or text us today at 720-464-3600 or submit a case inquiry online! Let our personal injury attorneys represent you legally in Colorado! That way, you can focus on what really matters, getting your life back.
What are some of the most common ways victims are injured or killed in drunk driving accidents?
When alcohol and driving mix, the results are often catastrophic. There are numerous ways drunk drivers inflict harm on other people when they get behind the wheel. The number one way drunk drivers injure or kill other people is by falling asleep at the wheel and causing a head-on collision.
After a drunk driver falls unconscious, they are likely to swerve into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision. Head-on collisions are easily one of the most dangerous types of automobile crashes. This is because a head-on crash occurs when both vehicles are traveling at regular speeds but going in the opposite direction. The resulting impact of a head-on collision is likely to be intense. If the drunk driver is speeding, this is doubly true.
There are many other ways that drunk drivers can cause automobile crashes. This is because alcohol significantly reduces a person’s ability to see, respond to external stimuli, and comprehend traffic signals. In fact, drunk drivers may not even realize that there are other vehicles around them. This is a recipe for disaster!
Wrecks caused by drunk drivers can have terrible outcomes for everyone involved. Drunk driving accidents caused some of the most severe injuries and more fatalities than many other types of automobile crashes. Suffice to say, drunk driving is no laughing matter and should never be taken lightly.
Top Drunk Driving Accident Causes
- A drunk driver falls asleep
- Intoxicated drivers have impaired vision
- Slow reflexes and delayed responses to stimuli
- Inability to comprehend traffic signals
- Negligence while under the influence
- Reckless driving or road rage caused by alcohol
- Inability to navigate road construction
- Disregard for traffic laws and other cars on the road
Drunk Driving Accident Statistics in the US
Many people are surprised to find out that there are more than 76,000 drunk driving accidents every year in the United States. Drunk driving injuries are usually some of the most serious that a person can sustain. More than 25% of all traffic-related deaths are the direct result of DUI alcohol impairment. Since drunk driving reports only make up 3% of annual crash statistics, this means that drunk driving accidents have a higher mortality rate than essentially any other kind of accident.
Drunk driving is also one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. This means that drunk drivers are more likely to hit people on sidewalks or as they cross the street than any other kind of driver. This can be fatal for the pedestrians involved. In the United States, victims of drunk drivers have certain rights and resources available. Our law firm can help you access critical resources and advanced legal knowledge after a drunk driving collision.
Which injuries are most commonly sustained by victims of drunk driving accidents?
Some injuries are more common than others after a drunk driving accident. These injuries are usually to the head or neck. Concussions, head injuries, and whiplash are the most common injuries after being in an automobile accident with a drunk driver.
Most Common Injuries Sustained from drunk driving Accidents:
- Concussion
- Whiplash
- Broken bones in the lower extremities
- Lacerations
- Neck and back injuries
- Sprains
- Strains and muscle tears
- Skull fractures
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- Broken bones in the upper extremities
- Burns
What drunk driving accident injuries are the most severe for victims?
Without exception, the most dangerous result for victims after a drunk driving accident is death. In fact, drunk driving accidents are one of the most fatal kinds of automobile accidents that someone can be involved in. With that in mind, if you have lost a loved one to a drunk driver, contact Matlin Injury Law. Don’t wait, there is a statute of limitations to file claims of this kind. Let us help you pursue justice after losing someone you love!
Apart from death, the most serious injuries sustained after a drunk driving accident include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, burns, and broken bones. Head, neck, and spine injuries can lead to paralysis and permanent neurological damage. Internal injuries can be extremely dangerous and may cause an array of complications. Sustaining internal damage can make you infertile, reduce your life expectancy, and may ultimately necessitate an organ transplant.
Burns are also catastrophic, as they can sometimes lead to serious infections. Since alcohol-related automobile crashes often occur at higher than usual speeds or cause intense impacts, burns are more common with these accidents than with other types of car crashes.
Finally, broken bones can take months to heal. A broken leg, for example, can cause loss of income and force you to stay home waiting until you can walk again. Depending on what you do for a living and how you have been injured, you may also suffer from a permanent loss of future earning capacity.
Colorado Drunk Driving Lawyer Near Me 303-777-1000
Tell us about your caseWhat should you do if a drunk driver hits you?
If you have been hit by a drunk driver in Colorado, the first thing you should do is get to safety and seek medical care. If possible, try to collect information about the driver. Many drunk drivers are involved in hit-and-run accidents. Try and get a picture of the license plate of the drunk driver that hit you in case they try to flee the scene. Also, gather the information of witnesses, if there are any. Then, contact a skilled personal injury lawyer such as the ones here at Matlin Injury Law.
If you are seriously injured and still in the hospital, you can even request that one of our team members visits you there. We can also conduct an interview over the phone and begin helping you build a case.
Hiring a personal injury attorney for your drunk driving accident case dramatically speeds up the claims process. Your attorney will be able to walk you through all of the ways that you can speed up your case so that you can access damages when you actually need the compensation. The team at Matiln Injury Law will immediately begin working to ensure that due process is followed after your accident.
If You Are the Victim of a drunk driving Accident:
- Call 911 or the police
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Accept the ambulance ride and get an evaluation at the hospital
- Call a personal injury attorney
- Be sure that the information of the drunk driver is gathered
- Keep track of your medical bills
- Document your injuries and take photographs as they progress
- Be careful what you say and to whom
- Do not post on social media about your accident
Should I get a lawyer if I have been the victim of a drunk driving accident?
Yes, it is highly recommended that you hire a personal injury attorney if you have been the victim of a drunk driving accident. As a victim of an alcohol-related automobile collision, you can seek legal representation to defend your legal rights and pursue due legal process.
Your legal representative team of personal injury lawyers will help you recover the compensation owed to you. This compensation, also known as damages, can help you pay for bills, make up your lost wages, cover your medical expenses, compensate for your pain and suffering, and more.
Does the DUI driver’s insurance cover the victim of a drunk driving collision?
Yes, in most cases, the car insurance company of the driver at-fault will cover the damage caused by a DUI accident. The amount that the car insurance company will pay depends on the company, the coverage levels of the individual who was driving, and local Colorado laws.
Do insurance companies pay out damages to victims of DUI accidents?
In Colorado, the insurance company of the driver at fault is legally obligated to pay damages to the victim of a DUI accident. In most cases, the fault will lie with the DUI driver. Be careful what you say and do not accept responsibility for an automobile accident caused by a drunk driver.
What are Colorado’s drunk driving accident reporting requirements?
In Colorado, motorists who have been involved in traffic accidents that cause property damage or bodily harm are required to file an accident report within 60 days of the collision. Failure to report an accident is a Class II Misdemeanor Traffic Offense. However, if a police officer is present on the scene after the collision, the officer will make an accident report for you.
Who can be held liable for a drunk driving accident in Colorado?
The state of Colorado is an at-fault state. This means that if any part of an automobile accident is determined to be your fault, the damages or compensation owed to you may be reduced or eliminated. This is one of the reasons that having a skilled personal injury attorney in your corner is so important. With that in mind, DUI accidents are often determined to be the fault of the intoxicated driver.
What are comparative fault laws and how do they apply to alcohol-related vehicle collisions in Colorado?
Comparative fault laws have to do with determining who is at fault after an accident. This impacts which party will pay damages and who the victim, or plaintiff, will be. In Colorado, the difference between a plaintiff being held 50% liable as opposed to 49% can make an enormous difference. This small percentage can dramatically impact the final outcome of a case. This is because Colorado is now a modified comparative negligence state. So, do not take responsibility for an accident before talking to a lawyer that specializes in automobile crashes.
What is the process of determining liability after being involved in a drunk driving accident?
Even if your automobile accident was directly caused by the negligent actions of an intoxicated driver, crash victims will need to provide strong evidence to prove the other driver is liable for their damages. The other driver owes you a duty of care. This means that they have an obligation to avoid crashing into you.
Drunk driving is considered reckless, negligent, careless behavior. As such, if you were hit by a drunk driver, you likely have a strong case in your favor and may be entitled to certain damages. Your personal injury attorney can help you better understand the process of determining liability after a drunk driving crash in Colorado.
How long do you have to file a claim or lawsuit after being hit by a DUI driver in Colorado?
In the state of Colorado, you have 60 days to report your accident and up to three years to file claims. However, if the accident involved a government employee, vehicle, or property, your timeline for filing a claim against the state may be shorter. Don’t wait; contact a Colorado personal injury attorney and begin the process of filing your claims as soon as possible.
What kinds of damages are available to drunk driving accident victims?
If the intoxicated driver is determined to be at fault for an automobile crash, you may be entitled to damages. Damages are compensatory and may help you pay for things like medical bills, loss of wages, reduced capacity to earn an income, pain, suffering, wrongful death, and more. Damages may be economic or non-economic in nature.
Types of Damages:
- Compensatory Damages
- Monetary Losses
- Non-Monetary Losses
- Punitive Damages
- Structured Settlements
Compensation Can Help With:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Medical costs
- Loss of earned income
- Loss of ability to earn income
- Pain and suffering
- Aftercare
What are wrongful death damages?
Driving accidents are often fatal and may lead to wrongful death lawsuits. Wrongful-death damages after these lawsuits include funeral and burial expenses, the cost of pre-death medical care, the emotional distress of the surviving loved ones, loss of financial contribution, loss of services and support, loss of companionship, and consortium.Why choose
Matlin Injury Law if you have become the victim of a drunk driving accident?
If you have been hit by a drunk driver, there are many reasons to use our Colorado personal injury firm. We have years of experience assisting the victims of drunk driving accidents. We also have a skilled team of personal injury attorneys who will handle your case with care, consideration, and apply effective legal strategies.
Our team is familiar with the court system of Colorado. We know what it takes to get injured victims the compensation that they deserve! In fact, we will not get paid for handling your drunk driving accident case until you do. So, you can be sure that we will pursue every legal avenue with tenacity and dedication!
Moreover, we serve Colorado accident victims in Parker, Douglas County, and beyond. If you have already started submitting claims or filing a drunk driving accident lawsuit, we can still help you. Our local personal injury law firm can handle your case at every step of the legal process. So, no matter what stage your case is currently at, you can contact us to see if we can be of assistance!
We are ready to help you get your life back and claim the damages that are owed to you after a drunk driving accident. Do not suffer in silence! If you or someone you love has been the victim of a drunk driving accident in Colorado, let us go to bat for you and help you get your life back! Having our professionals in your corner is one of the best steps you can take toward simplifying and expediting your case.
We Represent the Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Colorado!
Are you ready to begin the process of getting your life back? We are here to help you at every step of your journey! We offer a quick and easy-to-fill-out online form that you can submit at any time of the day or night. After submitting a case consultation form on our website, one of our attorneys will get back to you immediately.
Our consultations are free to victims of drunk driving accidents in Colorado! To find out what your case is worth, simply contact us. Remember, the sooner you get in touch with us after an accident, the more likely it is that your case falls within the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. So, don’t wait, call today!
Matlin Injury Law Represents the Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents in Colorado! Call or Text us Today at (720) 464-3600.
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