Lake Charles DUI Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving can cause severe injuries, property damage, and, unfortunately, fatalities. If you or a loved one is recovering after an intoxicated driver hit you, a Lake Charles DUI accident lawyer from Laborde Earles can demand damages from the negligent driver or another liable party.

Our car accident lawyers in Lake Charles can determine the value of your injury case and work toward recovering a fair settlement. Our team collectively has more than 350 years of experience and recovered more than $250 million in case settlements and verdicts.

We can help you take the next steps in your case. Call us today for a free legal consultation.

Drunk Driving Injuries Can Ruin Lives

If you were hurt by a drunk driver, a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer from our law firm can help you seek fair compensation.

Drunk drivers can cause debilitating injuries that can affect injured victims for the rest of their lives. Common injuries from these devastating events can include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Burn injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Some types of injuries can result in severe brain damage, full or partial paralysis, and other complications. Seek immediate medical attention before leaving the accident scene after the accident before calling us for an initial consultation where you can receive help with an injury claim.

Our DUI Car Accident Lawyers in Lake Charles, LA, Can Lead Your Case

Regardless of whether the driver in your case faces criminal charges, license suspension, or jail time, you can pursue a personal injury claim for your damages. However, as many accident victims discover, it can be challenging to manage a civil case while recovering.

If you hire our personal injury law firm, you can rest easy knowing our team will handle your case from start to finish. We will review the facts and circumstances and identify legal issues to address. We can then develop a strategy that protects your interests and rights throughout the legal process.

Our lawyers will also handle the auto insurance company for you, ensuring you receive fair treatment and that your insurance claim gets the consideration it deserves.

We Will Handle All Case-Related Tasks for You

Once you become our client, our legal team will:

• Investigate the crash in Lake Charles to determine what occurred and how.
• Gather evidence to support your account of events and accident claims.
• Identify all at-fault or liable parties that should compensate you for financial losses.
• Assess your short- and long-term damages to determine how much compensation you can recover.
• Lead settlement talks with insurance adjusters.
• Prepare and file an accident lawsuit if we cannot settle your case.
• Manage all case communications, paperwork, and deadlines.
• Fight for your financial recovery at trial if necessary.

We Can Represent You in a Lake Charles Injury Case at No Upfront Cost

We can take care of your case on a contingency-fee basis, no matter what type of accident an impaired driver caused. Contingency means you won’t pay us upfront fees for a drunk driving accident lawyer from our firm to accept your case.

We know that you likely have medical bills and other expenses to deal with, so we will receive a payment for our legal services only if we recover financial awards for you. This payment will come from a portion of your accident settlement from an insurance company or court judgment. We can review the fee arrangement and make sure we agree before you sign on with us.

Recoverable Damages for a DUI Accident in Lake Charles, LA

If proven guilty of causing bodily harm or wrongful death, a drunk driver has a legal obligation to provide financial compensation to you. A DUI accident lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can assist you in proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant owes you damages for your injuries and losses.

Our personal injury attorneys could recover the following economic and non-economic damages for you or your loved one:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation therapy costs (e.g., physical therapy)
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Lost income, benefits
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Property repair or replacement expenses
• Punitive damages, if applicable

Wrongful Death Damages in Fatal DUI Cases in Louisiana

If your loved one suffered fatal injuries in an accident, we are truly sorry for your loss. We know that no financial compensation can heal your pain, but it could help relieve some stress. Our wrongful death lawyer serving Lake Charles can handle legal proceedings if your family can recover financial losses with a lawsuit.

Injured parties typically recover the following in wrongful death lawsuits:

• Your loved one’s medical costs
• Their funeral and burial expenses
• Lost household income 
• Loss of household services
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of consortium

When Are Punitive Damages Awarded in Drunk Driving Cases?

Punitive damages are intended to punish a defendant for egregious or reckless behavior. These damages address actual harm or losses the plaintiff suffered because of the defendant’s actions.

For example, if an impaired driver causes a DUI accident that results in serious injuries or fatalities, the court could award the plaintiff punitive and compensatory damages.

A case’s specific legal issues, including the severity of the defendant’s actions, will determine the amount of any punitive damages awarded. Our Lake Charles car accident lawyer will fight for the maximum compensation and ensure that justice is served.

Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations Sets Filing Deadlines

Louisiana’s statute of limitation law imposes a two-year statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. If you intend to seek compensation for your accident injuries and property damage, you must meet this deadline.

You also have two years from your loved one’s death if they died due to a drunk driver, per Louisiana’s wrongful death statute. 

Investigating a case and performing all necessary procedures to prove negligence can take considerable time, so we encourage you to seek legal assistance as soon as possible.

Our DUI accident attorneys in Lake Charles will file your lawsuit on time. Call our personal injury law firm for legal counsel today for a free initial consultation.

Potential Evidence in a DUI Drunk Driving Investigation

Breathalyzer results are among the most valuable pieces of evidence you and your drunk driving accident attorney can use against the defendant. It can prove they were driving under the influence of alcohol.

For example, anyone with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level over a set limit is legally impaired In Louisiana. The levels change according to the driver’s status at the time of the accident:

• For non-commercial drivers, the BAC is 0.08%
• For commercial drivers, the BAC is 0.04%
• For non-commercial drivers under 21 (the legal drinking age), the BAC is 0.02%

Any amount of alcohol can influence a person’s driving, regardless of age or driver status. To prevent an auto accident, all drivers should watch how much alcohol they drink and avoid operating any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Other DUI Evidence Types

Other types of supporting evidence your DUI accident lawyer in Lake Charles, LA, can collect include:

• Recorded surveillance footage of the person driving under the influence of alcohol
• Medical records from an emergency room, urgent care center, hospital, or physician
• Dashcam footage from your vehicle, the defendant’s vehicle, surrounding motorists, or police
• Police reports or any other records from first responders to the accident

Louisiana Sets Penalties for Drunk Driving

Due to the serious risk impaired drivers pose to themselves and the public, Louisiana’s revised statute imposes harsh penalties, especially for those who commit repeat offenses.

The penalties for driving under the influence in Louisiana include:

• First conviction: The offender can receive a fine of $300 to $1,000 and be confined in prison for anywhere from 10 days to six months. They may be placed on probation if they agree to spend two days in jail, perform 32 hours of community service, and attend a substance abuse program approved by the court. They may also be required to put an ignition interlock device (IID) in their vehicle during probation.
• Second conviction: The offender can be fined $750 to $1,000 and be confined in jail for 30 days to six months. They could be placed on probation if they serve 15 days or spend 48 hours in jail and perform 240 hours of community service. They must typically also attend a substance abuse program and may be required to put an IID in their vehicle for at least six months.
• Third conviction: The offender may spend one to five years in jail and be fined $2,000. If granted probation, they must spend two years in jail or a drug probation program, perform 240 hours of community service, and complete a driver improvement program and treatment. The court may also require them to install an IID in their vehicle during probation and treatment.

Our drunk driving accident attorney leading your DUI case in Lake Charles will review the details and advise you of the penalties the at-fault driver could face for the pain you suffered.

The Prevalence of Drunk Driving in Louisiana

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drunk driving killed 2,349 people in Louisiana from 2009-2018. About 2.3% of Louisiana residents reported they drove after consuming a considerable amount of alcohol sometime in the last 30 days.

This is higher than the national average of self-reported drivers, which in 2018 was 1.7%. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), about one in three motor vehicle accident deaths involves a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Driving while drunk is extremely dangerous because it can affect someone’s driving ability by causing:

• Impaired judgment
• Blurred vision
• Poor reaction time
• Lack of muscle coordination

How Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence Affects Drivers

These impairments can cause an impaired driver to speed, run red lights or traffic signs, drift into other lanes, or go the wrong way down a street or highway. In addition, intoxicated drivers can severely injure passengers or pedestrians.

The consequences of their actions can cause debilitating injuries that may have a massive impact on your quality of life and, in some cases, cause injuries that are ultimately fatal. You can take charge in these cases by hiring a pedestrian accident attorney serving Lake Charles.

Call Us to Talk to a Lake Charles DUI Accident Lawyer

If an intoxicated driver caused a reckless driving accident that led to your injuries, you should receive compensation for damages. You should not pay for the actions of someone who chose to engage in reckless behavior over your safety.

We are ready to represent you, even if you are in the hospital and cannot appear in court.

At Laborde Earles, we are proud of our reputation for helping thousands of injured clients in their time of need and advocating for their favorable outcomes. Call us or fill out the contact form on our website for a risk-free consultation.