According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, drunk driving accidents caused over 1,000 nonfatal injuries on Indiana roadways in 2018. Considering that impaired driving also cost 63 people their lives that year, many of the injured victims can consider themselves lucky.
Yet, escaping with your life after a drunk driving accident is not the definition of true justice. If you or a loved one have been injured after an accident with an intoxicated driver in Richmond, Indiana, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.
At Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., our personal injury team believes in helping you seek justice after an act of negligence derails your life. The way we see it, when someone chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, that person should be held accountable for the consequences of his or her actions.
Perhaps most importantly, with a Richmond drunk driving accident lawyer by your side, you can focus on your future while our firm works on your legal proceedings.
You do not have to go through this alone.
To learn more about our legal services at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., contact a representative today at (317) 720-3229 to receive your free consultation.
Recoverable Damages in Richmond Drunk Driving Accidents
Fortunately, virtually any losses you sustain from a drunk driving accident can be addressed through legal action or insurance claims. That includes your financial losses, psychological trauma, physical injuries, and more.
Although the presiding court may decide to grant punitive damages in cases of egregious misconduct, personal injury claims typically involve compensatory damages.
Examples of compensatory damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Diminished income potential
- Accommodations for long-term disabilities or disfigurements
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Mental anguish
For a free legal consultation with a drunk driving accidents lawyer serving Richmond, call 317-636-7777
Indiana Drunk Driving Statistics
According to data from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, drunk driving accidents cause roughly 10% of all fatalities on Indiana roadways. Yet, to better understand the true impact of drunk driving accidents in Indiana, you need to examine the facts.
Drunk driving causes about 3,000 cases of property damage every year. In 2018 alone:
- There were nearly 4,000 drunk driving accidents across Indiana.
- Accounting for all fatal traffic accidents, 19% of male drivers were legally impaired before their fatal crashes.
- The most common time for drunk driving accidents in Indiana is Saturdays between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.
- Drunk driving accidents involving serious injuries or fatalities commonly occur on Sundays between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m.
- Compared to sober accidents, occupants of SUVs and vans were nine times more likely to die during alcohol-related collisions. Car occupants were eight times more likely to die.
Richmond Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 317-636-7777
Indiana’s Drunk Driving Laws
When a drunk driver causes serious injuries or death, their punishment may be more severe than a typical DUI offense. According to Indiana Codes (IC) §9-30-5, drivers are generally considered to be legally impaired when they have a 0.08 blood alcohol concentration or if they have a schedule I or II controlled substance in their bloodstream.
Ultimately, punishments for drunk driving may vary based on prior offenses and the severity of the offense in question. For example, if an intoxicated driver causes catastrophic injuries or death to another person, the offense is a Level 6 felony. If the accident results in serious bodily injuries, the offense is a Level 5 felony.
Common punishments for drunk driving include:
- License suspensions or revocations
- Probation or more intensive supervision programs for repeat offenders
- Mandatory substance abuse treatment, including rehabilitation programs and counseling
- Installing an ignition interlock device in the offender’s vehicle
- A jail or prison sentence, which can range from a few days to over 10 years
- Forcing the offender to pay restitution to his victims or fining the offender
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Filing Claims Against Drunk Drivers in Richmond, IN
Filing a claim after a drunk driving accident can present unique challenges because the offender likely committed a crime while causing your injuries. Thankfully, Indiana allows you to file claims for many different types of negligence, even if the offender is currently incarcerated for his crimes.
Even so, filing claims against incarcerated individuals may involve unique legal processes. For example, if you are awarded a settlement, and the offender is still incarcerated for an extended period, it may be difficult to recover the compensation you are owed – especially if the offender’s assets are being frozen, repurposed, or hidden from the law.
For some victims that drunk drivers injure, these challenges may seem overwhelming. Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., can help you understand all the specific laws and precedents that govern these types of cases. Once you understand your legal options, a Richmond drunk driving accident lawyer can help fight for your case every step of the way.
To learn more about our services at Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., contact a representative today at (317) 720-3229 to receive your free consultation.
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Who Else Can Be Held Liable in a Drunk Driving Car Accident in Richmond, IN?
While it is apparent that the person who caused the drunk driving accident can be held liable, there may be other parties that we can hold accountable. In Indiana, dram shop laws hold that businesses serving alcohol can be held liable if they served alcoholic beverages to individuals they knew were intoxicated.
The state’s dram shop laws can also apply in situations where social hosts served alcohol at private parties, such as those held in people’s homes. Hosts can face liability if they serve alcohol to a visibly drunk guest.
If dram shop laws apply to your Richmond drunk driving accident case, our attorney will advise you on your next steps. We can determine each party’s role in your accident and seek damages from them accordingly.
Richmond Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Will Fight for Your Future
Above all else, Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., wants to give you one less thing to worry about during this stressful time. In addition to offering legal counsel throughout the evolution of your case, a Richmond drunk driving accident lawyer can offer multiple legal services to help ease your burdens, including:
- Gathering evidence to help determine liability and prove negligence
- Communicating with insurance providers, outside parties, and individuals involved with your case
- Calculating damages and assigning values to your losses
- Working on settlement negotiations
- Keeping you updated on important deadlines and proceedings
- Providing civil litigation services during a trial
Kentucky’s Deadlines for Personal Injury Cases, Including Drunk Driving Accidents
Before you weigh your options any further, you should know there is a two-year statute of limitations on most personal injury claims in Richmond – as described under IC § 34-11-2. If you wait to file a claim and two years have passed since your accident, you may be unable to recover compensation. In fact, certain cases have even shorter statutes of limitations.
When you become our client, you will not have to worry about these deadlines. Our drunk driving attorney handling injury cases from Richmond will file your case on time.
Call Us Today for Legal Help With a Richmond Drunk Driving Car Accident
We would love to offer you a free consultation today so you can start learning more about the road ahead. For more information, contact a Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., representative today at (317) 720-3229.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
