Every day, approximately 30 people throughout the United States are fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions involving drunk drivers. In all, more than 10,500 people were killed in drunk driving accidents throughout 2018, accounting for just under 30% of all fatal motor vehicle collisions. Driving while inebriated can impact a person’s motor skills, reaction time, and decision making, affecting their ability to drive safely and avoid collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. If you or a member of your family have been injured in a drunk driving accident, our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you determine your options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and damages.
Seeking Compensation From a Drunk Driver
To recover compensation, car accident victims will typically need to demonstrate that a driver was at fault for an accident and that the driver’s negligence was directly responsible for their injuries. If a driver was intoxicated at the time of the collision, this will likely be considered negligence, and the driver may be held responsible for the damages suffered by victims.
A personal injury claim against a drunk driver may seek to recover compensatory damages to address the injuries inflicted in the crash. Victims may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost income, damage to a vehicle or other property and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
It may also be possible to collect punitive damages in the aftermath of a collision with a drunk driver. Punitive damages are meant to punish a person for the harm caused to others and to discourage further reckless conduct. In most personal injury cases in Wisconsin, punitive damages are limited to $200,000 or double the amount of compensatory damages awarded. However, these limits do not apply in drunk driving accident cases, allowing a judge or jury to award a reasonable amount of punitive damages based on the circumstances of the case.
If a person was fatally injured in a drunk driving accident, their surviving family members can pursue compensation through a wrongful death claim. Wrongful death actions can seek compensation for loss of income, medical costs, funeral expenses, and emotional losses.
Contact a Green Bay, WI Drunk Driving Accident Attorney
At Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd., our firm is dedicated to ensuring that your family receives the compensation you deserve in the aftermath of a serious car accident. We work to hold a drunk driver responsible for the injuries you have suffered. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a knowledgeable Appleton car accident lawyer, call us today at 920-739-7366.
Sources:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/895/I/043