Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

At The Law Offices of John M. McCabe, we understand the devastating impact that drunk driving accidents have on victims and their families. Our dedicated team of drunk driving accident lawyers has spent decades representing individuals harmed by impaired drivers throughout North Carolina. We approach each case with unwavering commitment, ensuring our clients receive the compensation and justice they deserve.

FREE Consultations

Call us at (866) 907-1145 24/7 to arrange to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case, or contact us through the website today.

Financial Compensation You May Be Entitled To After a Drunk Driving Accident in Raleigh

As your drunk driving accident lawyer, we work diligently to document all damages and build strong cases for maximum recovery. Here are the types of compensation you may be entitled to receive:

• Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency room visits, surgeries, medications, hospital stays, rehabilitation services, and ongoing medical care related to your injuries.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost while recovering from your injuries, including salary, commissions, bonuses, and other employment benefits.
• Future Earnings: Reimbursement for reduced earning capacity if your injuries impact your ability to work in the same capacity as before the drunk driving accident.
• Pain and Suffering: Monetary compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and trauma experienced due to the drunk driving accident and resulting injuries.
• Property Damage: Coverage for vehicle repairs or replacement, personal property damaged in the accident, and rental car expenses during repairs.
• Rehabilitation Costs: Funding for physical therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and other necessary treatment programs for recovery.
• Long-term Care: Compensation for ongoing medical care, in-home assistance, medical equipment, and necessary home or vehicle modifications.
• Loss of Enjoyment: Damages for diminished quality of life and inability to participate in activities you enjoyed before the drunk driving accident.
• Emotional Trauma: Compensation for psychological effects like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health impacts resulting from the accident.
• Punitive Damages: Additional compensation specifically designed to punish drunk drivers for their reckless behavior and deter similar conduct.
• Family Impact: Damages for loss of consortium, companionship, and support that affects your family relationships due to your injuries.
• Out-of-pocket Expenses: Reimbursement for medical travel costs, parking fees, home care services, and other accident-related expenses.

As your drunk driving accident attorney, we understand that no amount of money can fully restore what you've lost. However, securing proper compensation is crucial for your recovery and financial stability. Our car accident lawyers will thoroughly evaluate your case, document all damages, and fight tirelessly to help you receive the maximum compensation available under North Carolina law.

How a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Can Maximize Your Compensation

As your drunk driving accident attorney, we take a comprehensive approach to building and presenting your case. Here's how we work to maximize your potential recovery:

• Immediate Investigation: Our drunk driving accident lawyers launch a thorough investigation immediately after taking your case, preserving crucial evidence like surveillance footage, witness statements, and accident scene documentation before it can be lost or destroyed.
• Evidence Documentation: We meticulously gather and organize all evidence related to your drunk driving accident, including police reports, blood alcohol testing results, medical records, expert testimony, and photographic evidence of injuries and property damage.
• Medical Care Coordination: Your drunk driving accident attorney works with your healthcare providers to ensure all injuries are properly documented and that you receive the necessary treatment, creating a clear record of your medical expenses and future care needs.
• Economic Analysis: We collaborate with financial analysts and life care planning professionals to calculate the full scope of your current and future financial losses, including lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and long-term medical costs.
• Insurance Coverage Review: Our drunk driving accident lawyers identify all possible insurance coverage sources, including the drunk driver's policy, your own insurance, and potential third-party liability coverage to maximize available compensation.
• Liability Documentation: We build strong evidence of the drunk driver's negligence through accident reconstruction, toxicology reports, and eyewitness accounts to establish clear liability for your injuries.
• Settlement Negotiation: Your drunk driving accident attorney employs strategic negotiation techniques, presenting compelling evidence and arguments to insurance companies to secure fair settlement offers that reflect the true value of your case.
• Trial Preparation: We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, developing powerful presentations and testimony that demonstrate the full impact of your injuries to judges and juries.
• Damage Calculation: Our drunk driving accident lawyers ensure all categories of damages are properly valued, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and potential punitive damages.
• Expert Testimony: We work with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and economic experts who can provide authoritative testimony about your injuries, the accident circumstances, and your financial losses.
• Timeline Management: Your drunk driving accident attorney carefully monitors all legal deadlines and statutes of limitations, ensuring your right to compensation is protected throughout the legal process.
• Settlement Review: We thoroughly analyze all settlement offers, providing you with clear guidance about whether accepting an offer or pursuing litigation would better serve your interests.

Common Injuries Associated with Drunk Driving Accidents

Below are common injuries we see in drunk driving accident cases, along with their potential long-term implications:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Ranging from mild concussions to severe trauma, these injuries can cause memory problems, personality changes, cognitive difficulties, and long-term disability requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Impact from drunk driving accidents can cause partial or complete paralysis, resulting in permanent disability and requiring extensive medical treatment, adaptive equipment, and lifetime care.
• Internal Organ Injuries: The force of impact in drunk driving accidents often causes damage to vital organs like the liver, kidneys, or spleen, potentially leading to life-threatening complications and long-term health issues.
• Broken Bones: High-impact collisions frequently result in complex fractures requiring surgical intervention, metal pins or plates, and extended rehabilitation periods to restore function and mobility.
• Neck and Back Injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, and other spinal injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and ongoing medical treatment needs that impact your ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
• Facial Injuries: Impact with steering wheels, airbags, or windshields can cause severe facial trauma, requiring reconstructive surgery and potentially resulting in permanent disfigurement.
• Psychological Trauma: Many victims experience PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges following a drunk driving accident, requiring professional counseling and ongoing emotional support.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can cause chronic pain and mobility issues, often requiring extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore function.
• Burns and Lacerations: Serious crashes may result in severe burns from vehicle fires or deep cuts from broken glass and twisted metal, potentially leading to permanent scarring and disfigurement.
• Joint Injuries: Damage to knees, shoulders, hips, and other joints often requires multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, with potential long-term limitations on movement and activity.
• Chest Injuries: Impact trauma can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and other thoracic injuries that may lead to long-term breathing difficulties and physical limitations.
• Amputation: In severe cases, drunk driving accidents can result in the loss of limbs, requiring prosthetics, extensive rehabilitation, and significant lifestyle adjustments.
• Wrongful Death: Tragically, drunk driving accidents often result in fatalities, leaving families to cope with tremendous emotional and financial losses while seeking justice for their loved ones through wrongful death claims.

Our drunk driving accident attorneys work diligently to ensure that your compensation claim accurately reflects both the immediate and long-term impacts of your injuries. We collaborate with medical professionals to document the full extent of your injuries and project future medical needs and care requirements.

Who Can Be Held Liable If Injured in a Raleigh Drunk Driving Accident?

As your drunk driving accident attorney, we understand that multiple entities can be held liable under North Carolina law. Here are the potential parties we investigate when building your case:

• The Drunk Driver: The impaired driver bears primary responsibility for choosing to operate a vehicle while intoxicated and causing your injuries through their negligent actions.
• Bar or Restaurant Owners: Under North Carolina's dram shop laws, establishments that serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons or minors may be held liable if that person later causes a drunk driving accident.
• Social Hosts: Individuals who serve alcohol at private parties can be held responsible if they knowingly serve alcohol to minors or visibly intoxicated guests who subsequently cause an accident.
• Vehicle Owners: People who knowingly lend their vehicles to impaired drivers may share liability for accidents caused by the drunk driver using their vehicle.
• Employers: Companies may be liable if their employee causes a drunk driving accident while operating a company vehicle or conducting business-related activities.
• Rideshare Companies: If a drunk driving accident involves an impaired rideshare driver, the rideshare company's insurance coverage may apply to victim compensation.
• Local Governments: In some cases, municipalities may share liability if poor road conditions, malfunctioning traffic signals, or inadequate signage contributed to the drunk driving accident.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: If vehicle defects contributed to the severity of injuries in conjunction with drunk driving, manufacturers could share liability for damages.
• Third-Party Drivers: Other motorists who contributed to the accident through their own negligence may share responsibility for your injuries even if they weren't drinking.
• Construction Companies: Construction firms may bear partial liability if road construction hazards or inadequate warning signs played a role in the accident alongside drunk driving.

What To Do if Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident

We recommend taking these crucial steps to protect both your health and legal rights. Following these guidelines can significantly strengthen your potential claim for compensation:

• Ensure Immediate Safety: Move to a safe location away from traffic if possible, and turn on your hazard lights to prevent additional collisions. If you suspect the other driver is intoxicated, maintain a safe distance while waiting for authorities.
• Call Emergency Services: Contact 911 immediately to report the accident and request police and medical response. Tell the dispatcher if you suspect drunk driving, as this requires immediate law enforcement intervention.
• Document Driver Behavior: If safe to do so, note any signs of intoxication such as slurred speech, stumbling, or the smell of alcohol. Share these observations with responding police officers but avoid direct confrontation with the impaired driver.
• Gather Evidence: Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. These images can provide crucial evidence for your drunk driving accident lawyer to build your case.
• Collect Witness Information: Ask witnesses to share their contact information and what they observed, especially regarding the other driver's behavior before and after the crash. Witness testimony can be invaluable for your drunk driving accident attorney.
• Seek Medical Care: Accept emergency medical treatment at the scene and get a thorough medical evaluation even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries may not show immediate symptoms but could affect your health and claim.
• Preserve Evidence: Keep all accident-related items including torn clothing, damaged personal property, and prescriptions. Don't repair your vehicle until your drunk driving accident lawyer has documented the damage.
• Document Everything: Start a detailed record of all accident-related expenses, medical treatments, missed work days, and how your injuries affect your daily life. This documentation helps maximize your potential compensation.
• Avoid Social Media: Refrain from posting about the accident on social media platforms, as insurance companies and defense attorneys may use your posts to challenge your claim.
• Decline Early Settlement Offers: Don't accept initial settlement offers from insurance companies without consulting a drunk driving accident lawyer, as these offers rarely reflect the true value of your claim.
• Report to Insurance: Notify your insurance company about the accident but provide only basic facts. Don't give recorded statements or discuss fault without guidance from your drunk driving accident attorney.
• Contact Legal Representation: Reach out to a drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights and begin building your case while evidence is fresh and witnesses' memories are clear.

Why Choose The Law Offices of John M. McCabe?

When seeking representation after a drunk driving accident, choosing the right legal team can make a crucial difference in your recovery and compensation. Here's why clients trust our drunk driving accident lawyers with their cases:

• Proven Track Record: Our accident attorneys have secured millions in compensation for victims of impaired driving accidents, consistently achieving settlements and verdicts that help our clients rebuild their lives and secure their financial futures.
• Personalized Attention: Unlike large corporate law firms where cases get passed between multiple handlers, your drunk driving accident lawyer works directly with you throughout your case, ensuring you always have direct access to the attorney managing your claim.
• Resources and Relationships: Our accident attorneys collaborate with a network of accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and financial experts who strengthen your case with authoritative testimony and evidence-based analysis.
• No Fee Unless We Win: As your drunk driving accident lawyer, we handle all case-related expenses upfront and only collect payment if we secure compensation for you, allowing you to focus on recovery without financial stress.

Get Help After a Drunk Driving Accident

Don't face the aftermath of a drunk driving accident alone. Our drunk driving accident lawyers are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact The Law Offices of John M. McCabe today for your free consultation and learn how our drunk driving accident attorneys can fight for your rights.

FREE Consultations

Call us at (866) 907-1145 24/7 to arrange to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your case, or contact us through the website today.

Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer FAQs

How long do I have to file a drunk driving accident claim in North Carolina?

Under North Carolina law, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, our drunk driving accident lawyers recommend acting much sooner to preserve evidence and strengthen your case. Certain circumstances may affect this timeline, so consulting with a DUI accident attorney promptly is crucial.

What if the drunk driver who hit me was uninsured?

Your drunk driving accident lawyer can help you explore multiple options for compensation, including your own uninsured motorist coverage, potential dram shop liability claims against establishments that served alcohol to the driver, and personal assets of the responsible party. Our drunk driving accident attorneys will investigate all possible sources of recovery.

Should I accept the insurance company's first settlement offer?

Initial settlement offers typically undervalue your claim and may not account for future medical needs or long-term impacts. Our drunk driving accident lawyers recommend waiting until you understand the full extent of your injuries and having your drunk driving accident attorney review any offers before accepting.

Will my case have to go to trial?

While our DUI accident attorneys successfully settle many cases through negotiation, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough preparation often leads to better settlement offers, but if necessary, our drunk driving accident lawyers have extensive trial experience to present your case effectively in court.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

North Carolina follows contributory negligence rules, which can affect your ability to recover compensation. However, our personal injury attorneys understand how to counter contributory negligence claims and protect your right to compensation when facing allegations of shared fault.

How can I afford a drunk driving accident lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and we only collect fees if we secure compensation for you. This arrangement ensures you can get the legal representation you need without additional financial stress during your recovery.

What makes drunk driving accidents different from other car crashes?

Drunk driving accidents often involve enhanced legal options, including the possibility of punitive damages and third-party liability claims. Your drunk driving accident attorney can pursue these additional avenues for compensation while also building evidence of the impaired driver's negligence.

How do you prove the other driver was drunk?

Our drunk driving accident lawyers use multiple forms of evidence, including police reports, blood alcohol test results, witness statements, surveillance footage, and field sobriety test results. We also investigate the driver's activities before the crash to establish a timeline of impairment.