There are many factors behind the devastating and even deadly roadway crashes that occur in the Tempe area, but driver negligence is all too often the underlying cause. One of the most poignant examples of negligent driving is when a motorist gets behind the wheel drunk and causes a crash.
When you or a loved one are involved in a drunk driving car accident in Tempe, you may be reeling from the wreck and unsure what to do next. Our skilled car wreck attorneys could launch a complete investigation into liability for the accident and advise what compensation may be available to you for what happened. Call our trusted local firm today to learn more.
Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of catastrophic collisions in Tempe and the surrounding areas. While a person is considered to be driving under the influence if their blood alcohol concentration is 0.08% or above, a motorist can be classified as a drunk driver even if their BAC is below that threshold, but their ability to safely operate the vehicle is at all affected by alcohol or drugs in their system.
When a driver is drunk behind the wheel, their faculties, situational awareness, and response time are likely to be significantly impacted. This could put other drivers in the vicinity of the drunk motorist in significant peril. A drunk driver could easily miss a stop sign or red light, make an unsafe turn or lane change, follow too closely, drive at dangerous speeds, stop suddenly in the road, or engage in other dangerous driving behaviors that make the potential of a crash extremely likely.
Drunk drivers can leave life-changing or fatal injuries and destruction in their wake. In addition to property damage, motorists could suffer injuries like punctured lungs and damage to other internal organs, broken or fractured bones, burns, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and paralysis.
When someone is injured in a car crash caused by a drunk driver in Tempe or elsewhere in the state, they may have legal grounds to file a claim for compensation. The compensation available could include the value of the financial as well as non-financial losses associated with the accident.
Examples of recoverable financial losses could be medical bills, including emergency visits, follow-ups, prescriptions, physical therapy, surgery, medical devices, and home alterations, as well as lost income or benefits from being home while recovering or losing the ability to work in general. Non-financial losses that could be included in a successful settlement or court award may pertain to the value of the injured motorist’s psychological anguish, pain, suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and lost life enjoyment resulting from their injuries.
A drunk driving car accident attorney could seek the maximum value of damages the injured person may be entitled to for their past, present, and ongoing losses from the crash. However, Arizona law provides injured motorists just two years to start a personal injury lawsuit after their wreck, so it is wise to seek legal assistance early on to avoid any issues with the filing window.
When it comes to holding a drunk driver accountable for their negligence, you should not have to go through the process alone. An attorney that has experience representing victims of drunk driving car accidents in Tempe could take the lead in all legal matters and advocate for the maximum compensation available.
At the Phillips Law Group, our local team could fight to hold the negligent party responsible for the wreck and the damages inflicted upon you. Contact our office today to speak with us about your accident and what compensation you may qualify to receive.
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