Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk drivers take a toll on human lives and cause serious injuries every year. Hundreds of people are killed and thousands injured on our North Carolina roads by drunk drivers. Even with stricter enforcement, a public awareness campaign and other steps, drunk driving continues to be a risk that can cause so much damage with one irresponsible choice.

The terms “driving under the influence (DUI)” and “driving while intoxicated (DWI)” are used interchangeably in the state. While some states make legal distinctions between DUI and DWI, the state does not. The laws use the term “DWI” to define intoxicated driving, but one can refer to the act as either DUI or DWI, and both terms mean the same thing.

When an intoxicated driver causes an accident and injures or kills another person, they are likely to face arrest at the scene of the crash upon the arrival of first responders. If you were injured in this type of crash, you are likely to need medical attention immediately, and you may not have much time to gather important evidence from the scene of the accident that you may need later in your recovery efforts.

Working with a DUI attorney in Charlotte can make every aspect of your recovery process easier. The team at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler has years of professional experience helping our clients in the Charlotte area recover from all types of vehicle crashes, including drunk driving accidents. We can help establish liability for your damages, recover fair compensation, and understand how the criminal case against the at-fault driver could influence your recovery.

Is A Bar Or Restaurant Responsible For Serving The Drunk Driver Who Injured You?

After being injured by a drunk driver, you may be facing extensive medical care and rehabilitation. The expense of the care you need and other issues such as lost wages can put a real strain on your household’s financial stability. We will look at all available sources of compensation to help ensure that you and your loved ones have the support that you need as you work through your recovery. This includes not only the drunk driver’s insurance but also any bar or restaurant that negligently served the drunk driver who injured you.

Proving fault is an essential step in recovering from any vehicle accident. While you might think this would be a simple process after a drunk driving accident, it is not always true. More than one party could bear fault for your damages, and it is important that you consult an experienced Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyer as quickly as possible after the accident so they can review the details of how the accident occurred.

It is possible for the defendant in your drunk driving accident case to be the drunk driver themselves or a combination of multiple parties. Once you have determined fault, your attorney can guide you through the process of claiming compensation for the losses you sustained in the accident. For most people, it will begin with an auto insurance claim, but insurance may cover only a fraction of your total damages.

Recover The Compensation You Deserve

Every driver in the state must have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements set forth by state law. The minimum coverage requirements are $30,000 for bodily injury to one person and at least $60,000 for bodily injury to more than one person in the same accident, and the policy must also include at least $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. Once you prove fault for your accident, you can file your auto insurance claim.

Dealing with an insurance carrier will be easier with an attorney on your side. If your insurance claim does not yield full compensation for your losses, you will need to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Due to the fact that they broke the law and caused your damages, you could face a very complex and time-consuming series of legal proceedings before you recover compensation for your damages.

The right DUI attorney can be an invaluable asset for whatever your case entails. At Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler, our attorneys understand what people are going through after being injured by drunk drivers. We provide exceptional representation that can defend your rights and best interests to help ensure that you have access to the medical care and financial support you need.

Attorney Brett E. Dressler is fully committed to helping his clients on their path to recovery. He has an AV Preeminent* rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system and has also been named in the Rising Stars list of Super Lawyers in Texas and North Carolina in personal injury litigation and business litigation, respectively.

To find out more about how we have helped our clients, review our client testimonials.

FAQs About Drunk Driving Accidents

Q: How Is Fault Proven for a Car Accident?

A: Fault for a car accident can be proven by leveraging various forms of physical and digital evidence. Photos of the scene of the crash, tire marks on the road, the damage to the vehicles involved, and vehicle computer data could all prove essential to a case. Cell phone records and traffic camera footage could also be vital for proving fault, as well as testimony from any witnesses who saw the accident happen in real time.

Q: What Are the Penalties for DWI?

A: The penalties for DWI in North Carolina generally include a fine plus court fees, driver’s license suspension, jail time, and additional penalties assigned at the discretion of the court. A defendant could be required to complete a substance abuse treatment program or educational courses at their own expense as part of their sentence. The severity of the penalties for a DWI conviction can increase with multiple offenses and/or by causing great bodily harm or death.

Q: Can I Claim Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for My Accident?

A: No, you cannot claim compensation if you were partially at fault for your accident. The state enforces the contributory negligence rule, so even if the other driver was intoxicated behind the wheel and was clearly more at fault for your accident if you were speeding or otherwise negligent, it would prevent you from filing a personal injury suit against the drunk driver because of the contributory negligence rule.

Q: What Compensation Can I Recover in a Drunk Driving Accident Claim?

A: The compensation you can recover in a drunk driving accident claim will likely include repayment of your economic damages, compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, and punitive damages paid to reflect the severity of the defendant’s actions. Your Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyer can help you assess the full value of your case, including accurate calculation of projected future damages like lost earning capacity.

Q: How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a drunk driving accident lawyer will depend on the attorney’s billing policy. The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler accept personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis, so our client’s fee will be a percentage of whatever compensation we are able to secure for them. If we are unable to obtain a case award for our client, we take no fee, so the contingency fee system ensures there is no risk to hiring legal counsel when you need it most.

Complimentary Consultation With An Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident with a drunk driver, trust your case to an attorney with a record of success. The personal injury attorneys of Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can help you effectively pursue the compensation you need. To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyers, call 704-594-4317 or contact us online.

We accept cases on a contingent fee basis. We only collect attorney fees if we obtain compensation for you.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.