In 2016, there were 712 reported alcohol-related traffic crashes in Nashville and Davidson County, according to figures published by the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security. That works out to 2 DUI accidents each day. Despite decades of efforts to educate the public about the dangers of drunk driving, it remains a serious problem.
If you have been seriously injured or even lost a family member due to drunk driving, your best chance at receiving compensation from the negligent parties may be a civil lawsuit. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bednarz & Bednarz help people like you every day whose lives have been permanently altered due to a drunk driver’s recklessness. We can help you deal with a drunk driver’s insurance company and, if necessary, pursue a personal injury claim in the Tennessee courts.
Drunk Driving Can Leave Victims with Physical and Mental Injuries
Car accidents are a common occurrence in Tennessee. Most of us have been involved in a fender bender. However, a DUI accident is not a simple case of failing to obey a traffic signal or backing out of a parking spot without first looking. Getting behind the wheel while intoxicated demonstrates a reckless disregard for everyone else on the road, including anyone in the drunk driver’s car.
It is also a crime. Tennessee law defines a DUI as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of at .08 percent or higher. For the average 160-pound man, that represents about four drinks consumed over a short period. But BAC varies significantly based on weight and metabolism, so some drivers may be legally intoxicated after just 1 or 2 drinks.
And even if a driver is not intoxicated to the point where it is criminal, any amount of alcohol–or another controlled substance, such as prescription drugs–in a person’s system may compromise their ability to drive. Victims have the right to know about any chemical influences on the driver who hit them. We will fight to make sure you learn the truth.
Get Compensation for Personal Injuries and Wrongful Death
A drunk driver can leave you with a destroyed car and force you to undergo days, weeks, and even months of physical rehabilitation. You have the right to receive compensation for all of your injuries, including but not limited to:
- Past and future medical bills
- Repair or replacement of your motor vehicle
- Non-economic damages, i.e., pain and suffering
- Long-term medical and home care if you are permanently disabled
Tennessee law may also entitle you to collect punitive damages against a drunk driver. Such damages are not typically available in personal injury cases. But in cases where a defendant acts “intentionally” or “recklessly,” a jury has the discretion to award punitive damages.
Additionally, if you have lost a family member due to a drunk driver’s actions, you or the executor of the deceased individual’s estate may file a wrongful death claim.
We Represent Those Seriously Injured in a DUI Crash
A DUI accident is a traumatic event. Your first priority is to recover from your injuries and try to resume your normal daily activities. But you should not allow a drunk driver, or other parties responsible for a DUI accident, to escape without properly compensating you. Call 615-256-0100 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys right away.
