Hit by a Drunk Driver? A Tuscaloosa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Help
Drunk drivers cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year, yet studies show that millions of people still drink and get behind the wheel. If you or a loved one have been hurt because of someone driving under the influence of alcohol, a Cross & Smith Tuscaloosa drunk driving accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Drunk Driving Accident Damages: How Much Can You Recover?
Alabama law sets out what type of damages you can recover after a car accident that was caused by a negligent driver. While each case is different many drunk driving victims are surprised by how much they can recover from the drunk driver. Your Tuscaloosa drunk driving accident attorney will go into more detail with you about what damages you can recover from the Alabama drunk driver in your individual case, but you could be entitled to recover a combination of actual damages— also called compensatory damages— and punitive damages.
Actual Damages in an Alabama Drunk Driving Case
Actual damages are designed to cover both your out-of-pocket costs, as well as other, more personal matters that are harder to put a price on. Included could be:
Past and future medical costs
Lost wages
Loss of future earnings
Amounts for pain and suffering
Punitive Damages in an Alabama Drunk Driving Case
The Alabama courts, in many cases, allow drunk driving victims to recover damages above and beyond their actual out-of-pocket economic losses. They assess additional amounts to punish drunk drivers who put everyone on the road in danger. These types of damages are called punitive damages and can be much higher than your actual damages.
Holding the Bar Responsible: Alabama Dram Shop Claims
The drunk driver is not the only one who could be held responsible for your injuries, pain and suffering. In certain circumstances, the business that was responsible for serving alcohol to the drunk driver can be held liable as well under the Alabama dram shop laws.
If a business — like a bar or nightclub — over-serves a customer and they become drunk, or if they serve a customer who was obviously already intoxicated, and that drunk person gets into their car and hits you, that business can be held liable for your accident.
A Tuscaloosa drunk driving accident attorney will be able to tell you whether you have a case to recover money from the person who served alcohol to the drunk driver who caused your accident.
Contact a Tuscaloosa Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today
If you were in a motor vehicle accident with a drunk driver in Alabama, we encourage you to speak with one of our drunk driving accident attorneys. The lawyers at Cross & Smith will help you hold all responsible parties liable for damages so that you can recover everything you are entitled to under the law. Please contact us online or call our office at (877) 791-0618 for a free confidential consultation.
"After my husband was injured in a burn accident at work, we felt the accident could have been avoided. I was not sure where to start, but after careful research, we met with Justin Smith and shared our experience. From day one, we felt we were in good hands. Justin and Dell explained everything and kept us informed from start to finish. It was a complicated case that took an outside the box approach. Both Justin and Dell made us feel like part of the team." Posted By: Rhonda Moore
