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ChatWhat happens if a drunk driver injures you in a car accident? At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we proudly represent drunk driver personal injury victims. In today’s blog, as a drunk driver car accident lawyer, I answer 3 questions that people often ask me.
Around the winter holidays, like the day before and of Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve, we see a sharp rise in instances of impaired driving. If a drunk driver injures you in Rhode Island or Massachusetts, a drunk driver car accident lawyer at Bottaro Injury Lawyers is here to help you with a free 24/7 case review. We have a track record of caring and for obtaining top settlements in helping you get the compensation you deserve.
Attorney Mike Bottaro and his team are passionate about defending our injured client’s rights. If your holiday season feels ruined because of the injuries you sustained due to someone’s bad choices, call us immediately so we can help you get a top-notch settlement as quickly as your case allows!
What Are My Legal Rights If I Suffer Personal Injuries Afflicted By a Drunk Driver?
When you suffer personal injuries in a car accident, you have the legal right to pursue claims against the at-fault driver in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where our local team practices personal injury law.
Personal injury cases involving drunk or impaired at-fault drivers raise special issues of complexity. You need to lawyer up right away to ensure that your case is handled in a professional manner. You may be entitled to certain money damages that no insurance company will ever tell you about.
In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 13,384 people died as a result of drunk driving crashes. In Rhode Island, there was a decrease in in fatal drunk driving car accidents between 2020-2021 (but the number is still too high). During the same time period in Massachusetts, there was a 58% increase in the number of drunk driving fatalities from car accidents.
In 2021, 31% of all car accidents in the U.S. involved a driver with a BAC of 0.08 or more. This figure is higher in Rhode Island and Massachusetts – 39% and 36%, respectively.
It comes as no surprise that the risk of personal injury or wrongful death increases around holidays, when drinking and DUIs are more common. Did you know that your risk of death from a car accident spikes 55% on Thanksgiving and 117% on New Year’s Eve?
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of car, bicycle, commercial truck, bus, and pedestrian accidents. If a driver, drunk or not, injures you or a loved one, call us at 401-777-7777 to discuss your case.
Am I Covered in This Drunk Driving Car Accident?
If a drunk or impaired driver causes you personal injury, our lawyers can help investigate the insurance coverage.
Insurance coverage after a DUI car accident is very important. If the drunk driver was not covered by auto insurance, you will need to potentially rely on other insurance coverages. Otherwise, you risk not being able to recover a car accident settlement due to lack of coverage and an at-fault driver you will most likely not be able to personally collect against.
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we can help investigate potential coverages, such as other bodily injury (“BI”) or Uninsured Motorist (“UM”) coverage.
What Can I Do in The Future To Protect Myself from a Drunk Driving Car Accident?
Car accidents happen every day. While we cannot entirely prevent potential exposure to injury on the road, you can be extra mindful of intoxicated drivers. Below are a few tips to protect yourself, especially this holiday season:
1. Look out for signs of an impaired driver on the road. Knowing and looking out for signs of an impaired driver on the road is a road safety must. Some of the most common signs of intoxicated driving include:
- Swerving or weaving within or between lanes
- Difficulty maintaining a consistent speed
- Drifting across the center line or onto the shoulder
- Slow or delayed reactions to traffic signals or hazards
- Wide turns or driving over curbs or sidewalks
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Driving at night without headlights
If you witness any above behaviors, stay away and report the driver to police as soon as you (safely) can.
2. Avoid driving at night, especially around the holidays. If you can get to your celebration destinations early, the less likely you are to encounter a drunk driver.
3. Use your headlights. The more visible you are to impaired people, the better.
If a drunk driver injures you, we need to prove that the driver was negligent in doing so. Even though it may seem easy to determine fault after a drunk driving crash, every case is different. Therefore, we will work with you to collect police reports and other accident documents, statements, and photos to put together the strongest case possible.
If a drunk driver injures you or a loved one, contact a drunk driver car accident lawyer to get started on your case!
It’s Good to Know Mike Bottaro – 24/7 Top-Rated Personal Injury Help
At Bottaro Injury Lawyers, we care for people. Attorney Mike Bottaro and his award-winning legal team handle all types of personal injury cases, including representation for drunk driving personal injury victims, throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts including DUI car accident cases. We can even help on cases in other states as well. We pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity, and results. Contact us 24/7 in any method you prefer for a fast, free, and confidential consultation about your case. Text or call us at 401-777-7777, or fill out our free and confidential online form. We are here to serve and help you!
