DUI accidents are preventable. Driving under the influence is a choice. Therefore, if a drunk driver causes your accident, they should be held liable for your pain and suffering, financial losses, and other damages.
Our experienced lawyers fight for the rights of accident victims to receive top-dollar settlements and jury verdicts. Hale Injury Lawyers is a full-service personal injury law firm in Lake Charles, LA.
Our Lake Charles car accident lawyers have 61 years of combined legal experience. Since opening our law firm, we have recovered millions of dollars in jury verdicts and negotiated settlements for our clients.
When you are fighting for fair compensation after a DUI crash, you want experienced, seasoned trial lawyers and aggressive negotiators handling your case. Look no further than Hale Injury Lawyers for help.
Call us today at (337) 888-4253 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Lake Charles DUI accident lawyers. We are here to help you if a drunk driver causes injury and harm.
How Hale Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a DUI Accident in Lake Charles
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated is against the law in Louisiana. Even though people face fines, jail time, and other penalties, some individuals decide to get behind the wheel after drinking. The result can be devastating for others on the road.
Thousands of people are injured each year by drunk drivers. From 2009 to 2018, 2,349 people died because of an alcohol-impaired driver in Louisiana.
Our Lake Charles personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of winning cases. We also have top ratings for client satisfaction and an AV peer rating by Martindale-Hubbel. Our lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers, Top Lawyers by Acadiana Profile Magazine, and the Top 40 Under 40 lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.
When you hire our award-winning legal team at Hale Injury Lawyers, you can expect us to:
- Monitor investigations by law enforcement agencies and obtain copies of final accident reports
- Keep a close eye on any criminal proceedings against the at-fault driver
- Independently investigate the accident to gather evidence proving the intoxicated driver caused the crash
- Work with you and your doctors to determine the extent of your physical injuries
- Document your financial losses and other damages to calculate the value of your personal injury case
- File insurance claims, personal injury claims, and lawsuits as necessary
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters and other parties to obtain top-dollar DUI accident settlements
- Advocate for you in court to protect your rights
DUI accidents can change the lives of victims and their families forever. At Hale Injury Lawyers, our legal team understands the devastation caused by a drunk driving accident. We fight to get you and your family justice for the harm that an impaired driver caused.
Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced DUI accident lawyer in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Common Injuries Caused by DUI Accidents in Lake Charles, LA
The type of DUI crash impacts the severity of your injuries. For example, head-on and rollover accidents have a high risk of causing catastrophic injuries. However, all drunk driving accidents can potentially cause life-threatening conditions and traumatic injuries.
Injuries that accident victims might sustain in a Lake Charles DUI accident include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury, including paralysis
- Loss of limbs and amputations
- Neck and back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Airbag and seatbelt injuries
- Severe scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
Victims of DUI accidents can recover compensation for their injuries. The amount of compensation you receive depends on many factors, including the severity of the injuries and the extent of the damage.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Lake Charles DUI Accident Claim?
You can claim economic and non-economic damages for a DUI crash. Those damages include:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Loss of income, including diminished earning capacity
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Decreased quality of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Long-term care
Permanent impairments and disabilities can result in additional compensation for future losses. It is crucial that you seek immediate medical treatment after a DUI crash to document your injuries for a claim.
Louisiana law generally doesn’t allow accident victims to recover punitive damages, but DUI cases are an exception. Nonetheless, courts do not generally award them, and you must demonstrate that the at-fault party’s conduct was particularly egregious.
It is also wise to avoid speaking to the insurance company without legal counsel. Even though the other driver was drunk, you must prove they caused the crash and that you suffered damages to receive compensation.
Something you say could imply responsibility for the crash, likely resulting in allegations of contributory fault. Contributory fault could substantially reduce the money you receive for a DUI accident claim.
Your Time To File a DUI Accident Claim Is Limited in Louisiana
Louisiana has a very short statute of limitations for personal injury cases. In most car accident cases, victims have just two years from the accident date to file a claim. Otherwise, their lawsuit can be dismissed by the court.
Don’t let this happen to you. Talk with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to protect your rights.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Lake Charles DUI Accident Lawyers
Did a drunk driver cause your traffic accident? If so, we want to help. Call our law office to request a free case review with a Lake Charles DUI accident attorney.
