Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Stamford
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more has been illegal throughout the United States for decades, and so has operating a motor vehicle while impaired to any meaningful degree by alcohol, controlled substances, or prescription medications. Nevertheless, thousands of people still choose to drive drunk in the state every year—and unfortunately, police are not always able to find and arrest those people in time before they cause crashes with life-altering consequences.
If you were seriously injured by a drunk driver in Stamford, you likely have a compelling reason to demand compensation from the drunk driver’s car insurance company and, potentially, the driver themselves. You should strongly consider retaining an experienced and skilled auto accident lawyer from Mark Sherman Law early in the legal process..
Are Drunk Drivers Always Legally at Fault for Wrecks?
Drunk driving is against the law, and it constitutes a violation of the duty of care that all drivers have to obey while driving on public roads. If you can prove that someone who caused your Stamford car crash was driving while legally intoxicated when the incident occurred and that their impairment was the primary cause of your injuries, you can likely hold them liable for your ensuing damages based on their legal recklessness and negligence.
Furthermore, if you can prove that a bar, restaurant, or other business licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on their property knowingly overserved the drunk driver, you may be able to hold the business’s owners liable for your injuries as well. This is possible because of dram shop laws, which your attorney can explain in more detail during a private initial consultation.
Proving Someone Else Was Driving Drunk
Sometimes, the police accident report that is drafted by the police officer who responded to the scene is all you need to establish that someone was driving drunk prior to a traffic accident. If that report includes an arrest or citation for drunk driving, or if you can find records elsewhere of a conviction for Driving Under the Influence related to your accident, you could use that information as evidence in your lawsuit or in your settlement demand against that drunk driver.
If a drunk driver is not arrested at the scene of an accident, it will be your responsibility to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they were driving drunk. A qualified lawyer can provide vital assistance with tracking down and effectively utilizing information, such as witness testimonies, crash scene photos, purchase records from bars or liquor stores, and surveillance or dashboard camera footage.
Get Help From a Stamford Attorney With a Drunk Driving Car Crash Claim
Driving drunk is both dangerous and illegal, and yet every day, innocent people become victims of drunk driving. If you can show that the other person involved in your recent car crash was impaired while driving, you may be entitled to compensation from them for every form of harm their misconduct may have caused you.
No matter who is to blame for your injuries or what damages you need to recover as a result, a seasoned car accident lawyer’s assistance could be crucial for your case’s success. Call Mark Sherman Law today to discuss your options after a drunk driving car accident in Stamford, and visit our Avvo.com profile and see what past clients have said about working with us.