
Drunk driving is a criminal offense. This means that if the drunk driver
is apprehended, he or she will almost certainly be charged with driving
under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI). As your
car accident lawyer can inform you, these criminal charges will proceed separately from any
civil claims filed against the driver. In other words, even if the driver
is not convicted of criminal charges, your auto accident injury lawyer
may still hold him or her liable for your injuries.
Settlement Offers
After you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver,
the other driver’s insurance carrier may contact you to offer a
settlement. This settlement offer is intended to compensate you for your
losses, which may include property damage and lost wages in addition to
your medical expenses. You should know that you are not obligated to accept
this offer. It’s in your best interests to contact a car accident
lawyer, who can advise you if the settlement is unjustly low. Remember
not to sign any waivers or other insurance paperwork until discussing
the matter with your accident attorneys.
Defendants
If the settlement offer is inadequate, you have the right to file a civil
lawsuit against the drunk driver. Depending on the circumstances, your
accident lawyer may name other defendants, such as an individual or entity
that provided alcohol to the drunk driver.
Uninsured Drunk Drivers
Even if the drunk driver lacked auto insurance coverage or was underinsured,
you still have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Your
auto accident lawyer may bring a claim against a third-party defendant
or against your own insurance company.
The accident injury lawyer at the Auto Accident Law Firm of Kevin Paul
Childers provides effective legal representation for victims of drunk
drivers. For more than 25 years, our auto accident lawyer near Prince
William County, VA, has helped clients secure the compensation they need
to move forward with their lives. Call us today at (703) 330-6300 to discuss your
legal rights after an auto accident.