It is often frightening and upsetting to be involved in a road accident. Hopefully, you could escape with an only minor injury and collateral loss. Any casualties are not fortunate, especially if a reckless drunk driver strikes them. If you have been in a car crash involving a drunk driver, consider hiring a car accident lawyer.
As per the CDC, 10,265 people died in alcohol-related collisions in 2015 (the most recent year for which figures are available). This accounts for nearly one-third of all traffic-related fatalities in the world. Nearly 1.1 million people were arrested for driving while inebriated. Given the prevalence of drinking and driving, it is important to understand the choices if a drunk driver hits you. And it is, therefore, extremely important to hire a car accident lawyer.
Pain and Suffering When Hit by a Drunk Driver
The duration of the injury, the seriousness of the injuries, auto maintenance fees, hospital expenses, and the at-fault driver’s insurance policy, among other things, all play a role in the expense of a drunk driving settlement. Any drunk driving accidents result in multimillion-dollar lawsuits, and others result in damages worth less than $10,000.
In addition to the victim and the driver, other individuals are often involved in drunk driving incidents. If the driver were covered, the insurance provider would still be sued in addition to the driver. If the driver was not licensed, there are other ways to seek in order to obtain full coverage.
For example, in certain jurisdictions, where the driver could have been cut off, the bar or restaurant can be found responsible for attempting to sell him alcohol. This is known as the “dram store” rule, although it may not be applicable in your jurisdiction, so it’s essential to talk with a competent DUI lawyer.
I Got Hit by a Drunk Driver. What Am I Entitled To?
According to an online study, the estimated payout for a drunk driving crash is about $125,000 since most insurance plans only cover $50,000 to $200,000 in injury. However, some drunk driving injuries result in settlements of less than $10,000, and others can result in settlements of more than $1,000,000. A variety of factors determines the average payout figure for drunk driving injuries.
Here is the average settlement your may claim for being rear-ended by a drunk driver:
- $25,000 – Whiplash Injuries$90,000 – Rotator Cuff Injury
- $58,158 – Serious low back & neck injury
- $537,000 – Neck Injuries / Surgery
- $2,300,000 –Abdominal & Spinal Injuries
- $4,000,000 – Multiple Injuries
What Happens When You Get Hit by a Drunk Driver?
If the driver is charged and convicted for drunk driving as a result of the collision, the matter will most likely be split into two parts
- Civil
- Criminal
If the state decides to sue the driver, it will be the state’s case. A DUI lawyer will be assigned to the prosecution, and they will decide whether to drop it, negotiate a plea bargain, or go to trial.
The criminal prosecution will ensure that “justice” is served and that the driver is held accountable for his actions. However, unless the court demands restitution as part of the statutory penalty, you cannot gain any substantial reimbursement for his conduct. And if compensation is ordered, it is only for a limited sum, and you will have to file a court lawsuit against the driver to be adequately paid.
Hospital care, collateral loss, pain and suffering, and missed earnings are also examples of damages you can claim in civil lawsuits.
If the crash results in a death, family members will file a wrongful death case against the drunk driver. Call The Hurt 911 Injury Centers today to hire a car accident lawyer in Macon, GA.
