Drunk driving accidents can be devastating, often resulting in severe injuries, emotional distress, and significant financial burdens for victims and their families. Such incidents are frequent in Athens, changing lives and leaving victims with unimaginable losses as they search for justice and compensation.
If you or a loved one are struggling with the consequences of a traumatic drunk driving accident, the team of experienced Athens drunk driving accident attorneys at McCutcheon & Hamner can provide the legal support and guidance you need. Contact us today for a no-obligation case evaluation.
Call us at (256)617-6616 today to schedule an appointment with our Athens drunk driving accident attorneys.
Why Choose McCutcheon & Hamner?
At McCutcheon & Hamner, we have extensive knowledge and experience in representing victims of drunk driving accidents. Our successful track record is a testament to our commitment and tenacity. Our Athens personal injury lawyers advocate for justice and fair compensation in every case.
Our office is in a convenient location, nestled in the city’s heart and accessible via several major routes.
Drunk Driving Accident Compensation
As a victim of a drunk driving accident, you can claim compensation for financial losses, including related medical bills, lost income, damage to property, and potential future expenses, and also for the psychological costs of your injury, such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
At McCutcheon & Hamner, we determine your claim’s worth by considering several factors, including:
- The amount of insurance coverage available to compensate the claim. Insurance policies limit the amount of money available. The Alabama Department of Insurance requires drivers to have policies that provide at least $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability, $50,000 coverage per accident, and $25,000 in property damage liability coverage.
- The injury’s severity.
- The presence of permanent injuries, which could result in future medical expenses and lost earning capacity.
- The at-fault party’s reckless behavior.
In some drunk driving accident cases, the court may also provide punitive damages to the claimant. This money is not to compensate the victim’s costs but to punish the defendant’s actions.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Athens
According to the Alabama Department of Transportation, more than 5,000 accidents a year occur on state roads where alcohol or drugs may have impaired a motorist’s driving ability. Over 20 percent of these accidents occur on weekends, and drunk drivers are more prevalent at night. There are various nighttime hotspots around Athens, including downtown and near the colleges and university.
Understanding Drunk Driving Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), each day in the United States, around 37 people die due to drunk driver crashes. Many more suffer injuries in these serious collisions.
Alcohol reduces brain function, making it difficult to apply safe driving skills, such as tracking moving targets, observing traffic signal changes, controlling speed, braking, and lane position, and making good driving decisions.
Many people believe these problems only occur when the driver reaches the legal impairment limit of 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood. In reality, alcohol begins impairing the brain’s functions with the first drink.
By the time a person consumes enough alcohol to reach the legal impairment limit, they have reduced their ability to process information, control their speed, concentrate on the road, and focus on driving safely. The alcohol impairs their balance, speech, reaction time, and hearing.
When a drunk driver operates a vehicle and causes an accident that injures someone, the injured party has the right to seek compensation for their financial and psychological injuries. Through Alabama’s personal injury claims procedure, you can claim the at-fault driver’s auto liability insurance coverage.
Dealing with insurance companies after a drunk driving accident can be a daunting task. They are notorious for minimizing claims and delaying payouts. The Athens drunk driving accident attorneys at McCutcheon & Hamner understand these tactics and will fight on your behalf.
Most drunk driving accident claims result in settlements. If the at-fault driver’s insurer fails to offer fair compensation, however, your attorney can file a lawsuit so a judge or jury can hear the case’s facts and decide liability and compensation. To have your case heard in an Alabama court, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the accident’s date.
What To Do After a Drunk Driving Accident
Following a drunk driving accident, you must seek immediate medical attention and follow the treatments your doctor prescribes.
Hire an Athens car accident attorney to manage your case. Working with an experienced lawyer gives you the chance to recover financially and focus on your physical recovery.
Keep thorough records of the accident and its aftermath. Many claimants find journaling a reliable way to document associated costs, medical appointments, and day-to-day consequences of their injuries. Receipts, medical reports, and other accident-related documentation may be vital evidence in your case, and you should share them with your lawyer.
At McCutcheon & Hamner, we understand the complexities of building a solid case and can use your provided information to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact McCutcheon & Hamner Today
If you or a loved one is a drunk driving accident victim, do not hesitate to reach out to the Athens drunk driving accident attorneys at McCutcheon & Hamner.
We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation and dedicate our time to seeking justice and fair compensation for victims. Our unwavering commitment to our clients motivates us to relentlessly advocate on your behalf. Let us support you in your fight for justice. We will protect and uphold your rights. Contact us in Athens by calling (256) 617-6616 or sending us an online message.
If you or a loved one is involved in an accident, call 911 – then contact the Athens personal injury attorneys online or call (256) 617-6616 today for your free case consultation and evaluation.
Athens Office
117 S Marion St
Athens, AL 35611
(256) 617-6616
