Alcohol-related accidents are unfortunately common in Alexandria, LA, and can have devastating consequences for victims and their families. If a drunk driver has injured you or a loved one, you have the right to consult with an attorney to explore your legal options and seek financial recovery.
Our car accident lawyers in Alexandria understand the devastation a serious accident can cause in your life and are dedicated to helping you pursue maximum compensation. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you may be able to recoup the cost of your medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma from the at-fault party.
Consultations are free and there is no fee until we win, so contact us today to learn how our DUI accident lawyers in Alexandria can help you with your case.
What to Do If a Drunk Driver Hits You
If you were in an accident and the other person was intoxicated, you could take action to protect your case. Taking the proper steps after a crash may help us show that the drunk driver caused your accident and that you did not contribute to your injuries.
Our personal injury lawyers in Alexandria recommend taking the following steps after an accident:
Call 911 and Get Medical Attention
As an accident victim with severe injuries, your priority should be to seek medical attention immediately after the crash. However, even if you can walk away from the accident, you should still visit the emergency room or your doctor if you have any pain or other symptoms.
Symptoms of certain injuries, like whiplash, may not emerge until a few days after the accident. So getting an immediate assessment means an earlier diagnosis, immediate treatment, and a faster recovery.
Not only do you want to promote your health, but you also do not want to give the at-fault party a chance to question your injuries. For example, if you wait too long to seek medical care, they may try to blame your injuries on something that happened before or after your accident or downplay the severity of your injuries.
Also, the sooner you call 911, the sooner local law enforcement can test the negligent driver’s blood alcohol level, which could be important in proving fault in the collision.
Keep Detailed Records
Try to document your accident as much as possible. Ideally, local law enforcement visited the crash scene and filed a report. This report could become key evidence in your case, especially if they arrested or cited the at-fault driver.
Other helpful actions may include the following:
- Taking photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Getting the contact information of all eyewitnesses
- Keeping track of your medical records
- Writing down the details of the collision
Your Alexandria drunk driving accident attorney will use this information to build your case. Photographs and videos from the scene can also be compelling evidence for jurors if your case goes to trial.
Limit Communications With All Accident-Related Parties
Your legal team can handle all communications with other parties and their insurers. During this time, avoid speaking with insurance adjusters or making any statements about your accident.
Additionally, you should avoid posting about the collision on social media since something you say can be used later to question your claim. You do not want to say or post anything that could jeopardize your case.
Get Legal Advice
Before speaking with anyone about your accident, consult a DUI accident lawyer in Alexandria, LA. One of our attorneys can listen to your story, discuss your legal options, and answer your questions. They can also help you submit your insurance claim or file a lawsuit.
Our team is here to help you with any questions or concerns regarding your case. Let us guide you through the process and advocate on your behalf, so you can recover the settlement you deserve.
Pay Nothing Out of Pocket
Our DUI accident attorneys in Alexandria, LA, provide free initial consultations for accident victims. We also accept these cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we do not charge our clients upfront.
Instead, we get our fees from the compensatory damages we recover. This means we only get paid when we win your case.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientHolding a Drunk Driver Financially Liable for Your Injuries
Under Louisiana Revised Statute § 14:98, operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance is illegal. Our team can review the available evidence in your case and investigate to find new information.
We may obtain the following:
- The results of the drunk driver’s field sobriety test, breathalyzer, blood test, or urine test
- The police report from your accident
- Surveillance video footage
- Eyewitness accounts
- Expert testimony
- Medical reports
By obtaining as much evidence as possible, we can bolster your claim so you can collect full compensation for your losses. Our experienced lawyers use our network of resources to assign fault and prove negligence. We know what it takes to build, prepare, file, and settle a drunk driving case in Rapides Parish.
It is important to understand that the at-fault driver’s drunk driving arrest and the resulting criminal case are separate from your civil claim or lawsuit against them as an at-fault driver. That said, having evidence to show they were drunk when they caused your crash can help your case and lead to jail time and other consequences.
Remember that it is possible to recover substantial compensation in your case even if the drunk driver never faces criminal charges.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWhy do Victims of Drunk Drivers in Alexandria Choose Our Personal Injury Lawyers?
Choosing a personal injury lawyer is an important decision, and drunk driving victims who select one of our lawyers for their case do so for a good reason.
Reasons to trust our law firm with your drunk driving case in Alexandria include the following:
- Our Louisiana roots: Our lead attorneys are Louisiana-born and raised. As a local law firm, we care deeply about Louisianans and take drunk driving cases seriously. You’ll quickly understand that you’re family and not just a client.
- Our results: Anyone considering a law firm in Alexandria should ask: “What has this firm accomplished?” Our personal injury lawyers have a lengthy record of case results, including sizable verdicts and settlements. Working with a reputable attorney will maximize your compensation if your case goes to trial or settles.
- Our uncompromising client service: Our testimonials prove that providing responsive legal care is high on our list of priorities. Our firm does not exist without our clients, and we’ll ensure that you feel our appreciation. Prompt communication, compassionate representation, and honest advice are a few ways we’ll serve you.
Former Client in Alexandria Explains the Laborde Earles Difference
Pay close attention to what former clients say about a law firm. We proudly refer you to an example review from one of the many clients we’ve represented in Alexandria:
“My experience with Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers was a great adventure. They keep you updated with your claim with phone calls and text messages. I didn’t have to do anything but relax.”–Eldida Barnes, former client
Can I Handle a Drunk Driving Case on My Own?
Handling a drunk driving case without an attorney can cause major stress, harm your mental and physical health, and even prevent you from obtaining the desired results.
You must consider your inexperience with the legal system. Then, consider the skilled legal representation our Alexandria car accident lawyers offer. We know how to win cases like yours and have the results to prove it.
While we aggressively represent your case, you can relax and focus on healing from your injuries.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientCompensation for Damages in Drunk Driving Cases
As in other auto accident cases in Louisiana, recoverable damages in your drunk driving claim may include economic and non-economic damages and even punitive damages if you were the injured party in a drunk driving accident. Our team documents our clients’ losses and explores all avenues of compensation.
Economic Damages
Economic damages reimburse the out-of-pocket expenses you incur after an accident. These damages may include medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy, and property damage to your vehicle.
These losses are easy to calculate because they can be verified with bills and receipts. You might also recover expected future expenses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages reimburse you for losses that are more challenging to quantify. For instance, you may have suffered emotional trauma from the accident. Although the value of this loss cannot be verified with receipts, it is still compensable.
You may also be able to recover the costs of disability, dismemberment, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages.
Our DUI accident attorneys in Alexandria, LA, work with experts and use industry-accepted methods to attach dollar amounts to your current and future damages. We can then calculate the total cost of your losses and seek appropriate compensation.
Punitive Damages
In some situations, you may get punitive damages on top of economic and non-economic damages. For example, a court could give the drunk driver punitive damages to punish them for their actions and warn others not to do the same.
Punitive damages are not meant to make up for your losses. Instead, they are meant to punish the person who caused the problem for being careless or doing something wrong on purpose.
Our team will investigate the accident thoroughly and seek to hold the drunk driver accountable. This includes pursuing punitive damages where appropriate.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientLouisiana’s Statute of Limitations Limits the Time You Have to Sue
While your legal team may help you recover the cost of various damages, you do not have much time to act. Under CC 3493.1, you generally have two years from the accident date to take your case to court.
While this may seem like a long time, days and weeks quickly turn into months. And you could jeopardize your case if you do not take legal action within the allowable time frame.
Many motor vehicle accident claims never require filing a lawsuit or going to trial. However, if this becomes necessary in your case, we must protect your right to do so. For this reason, it is imperative to meet all necessary deadlines. If your case requires a lawsuit and jury trial, our attorneys will be by your side, representing your best interests at every step.
How Our Law Firm Can Help You Seek Damages
You might feel like your case is hopeless and you have nowhere to turn. Perhaps your claim was denied by the insurance company, or you are having difficulty establishing negligence. Despite these concerns, you still have options.
An Alexandria drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm can:
- Provide legal guidance throughout your case.
- Investigate your case to find new pieces of evidence.
- Determine the cost of your economic and non-economic damages.
- Handle all communications with the insurance company.
- Fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Represent you in court if you decide to proceed with a lawsuit.
Our legal team is committed to helping drunk driving accident victims and will tailor our strategy to your case’s unique circumstances. Every situation is different, and there is no “one size fits all” formula for drunk driving cases. We can even help if a drunk driver struck you as you walked along the road. Reach out to us now to speak with an Alexandria pedestrian accident lawyer.
Call Us After Your Drunk Driving Accident in Alexandria
Getting hit by a drunk driver can wreak havoc on your finances, but you don’t have to fight for a settlement alone. While insurance companies will likely try to minimize your compensation, you have legal options. So let a DUI accident lawyer from Laborde Earles protect your rights and help you seek a fair settlement or court award.
We can review the facts of your case and provide advice today. Don’t let the insurance company settle for less than your case is worth. Contact our Alexandria office day or night for a free consultation.
