Connecticut DUI Accident Lawyer

In a study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 10,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes – that’s a staggering one person EVERY 51 minutes! In 2009, there were 238 alcohol-related deaths on the roads in our state of Connecticut, with over 35% of the at-fault drivers having a blood-alcohol-content level of 0.08 or above. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lifetime economic impact of crash-related injuries and deaths for both drivers and passengers is estimated to be around $60 BILLION each year. With these figures in mind, driving under the influence is a huge problem in Connecticut.

With over 140 years of combined legal experience, our team of lawyers is well aware of these practices and can provide you with the information that you only need to tell them. If you or a loved one has been injured in a DUI collision that was caused by the negligence of another person, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for any injuries that were sustained in the crash, along with any lost wages, pain and suffering and emotional distress. To find out how Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers can help, please fill in and submit the Free Case Evaluation form – it’s FREE!

DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS CAUSE MAJOR INJURIES

In 2010, there were more than 345,000 people injured in alcohol-related crashes, with males between the ages of 18-20 years old being the most likely to get behind the wheel while they were drunk. It must be noted that men were predominantly the most “at-risk” of getting behind the wheel when they were intoxicated, with men OVER 55 years old, the next highest group of drunk drivers.

Understandably, drunk driving crashes can leave individuals with severe and life-altering injuries, which often take many years to heal. Some of the most common injuries from drunk driving accidents include (but are not limited to):

• Head and brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Lacerations
• Whiplash
• Paralysis

Many paralyzed DUI victims are unable to ever return to work after their injuries – often causing severe financial strain on the victim and their families – let alone the costs of medical treatment, ongoing physical therapy and other nursing services.

TYPES OF DRUNK DRIVING LAWSUITS

With these staggering statistics in mind, it’s important to note that DUI accident victims can file personal injury claims against the negligent driver – to hold them accountable for their actions. Depending on the severity of the case, there are additional forms of damages that may be available for the victim and their loved ones to claim, which include:

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are generally available in personal injury cases. These damages are meant to recover any financial losses the victim may have, including medical bills, ongoing treatment and medication costs, lost wages and any other financial suffering. Auto accident victims may also seek compensation for pain and suffering and the loss of life quality. In the state of Connecticut, a victim’s spouse may also seek compensation for the loss of consortium.

Punitive Damages

The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the negligent party for their bad conduct and to deter others from similar conduct in the future. In DUI cases, punitive damages are sometimes awarded if the driver had an extremely high blood alcohol content.

Third-Party Damages

When a victim is injured or killed in an alcohol-related accident, the driver may not be the only party held responsible for the wreck. Connecticut law allows accident victims to name drinking establishments as a defendant in some cases. This is referred to as the “Dram Shop Act.” This law holds drinking establishments liable for serving an inebriated individual who injures or kills another person due to their intoxication. If you believe that you have a Dram Shop claim, it’s important to seek legal representation quickly due to Connecticut’s statute of limitations for filing a claim. Many injury victims often feel comforted by the fact that there are laws in place that help to defend their rights, which is an important part of the healing process.

HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Here at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, we have a strong belief that negligent drivers must be held responsible for their actions. We are compassionate to people who have become victims of DUI crashes that were not their fault and are prepared to fight for our client’s rights in a court of law. In fact, for most cases, we will simply have our clients refer any inquiries directly to our firm so that we can handle them directly, with your best interests in mind.

In many injury cases, the insurance company of the at-fault driver will often send out an appraiser to review the details of the accident and to try and assess the value of the damages. It’s VERY IMPORTANT to note that these investigators are NOT there to help you. Their primary job function is to minimize the amount of compensation that they need to pay, which means that they will do whatever is necessary to obtain confidential information about your case, in order for that to happen.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS TO HIRE A LAWYER FOR OUR FIRM?

As responsible members of our local communities, we feel that everyone should have access to responsible, comprehensive legal care. Keeping that in mind, we proudly work on a contingency basis. What that means is that we do not charge you for our fees or services unless we obtain a settlement for you.

If you are unsure if you have a case, we also offer a 100% FREE, initial case evaluation. This allows injury victims just like you to contact our staff and based on the details that you provide about your situation, we will help determine if you have grounds to file a lawsuit. All this information is for free, and if we deem that you do have a case, we will advise you on the best way to move forward with proceedings.

HOW TO CONTACT OUR CONNECTICUT DUI ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS

DUI accidents can create life-altering circumstances for the victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Connecticut drunk driving crash, you may be eligible to file a drunk driving lawsuit.

At Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers we have won millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and have the determination and desire to fight for your rights in a court of law. With offices in New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford we service and are licensed to practice law across the entire state of Connecticut, and are ready to help you now. To find out more, please contact us toll-free at 800-PERKINS or send us an email. A member from our intake team will collect some details about your case and then quickly refer you to one of our attorneys – it’s that easy.