Baton Rouge Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys Can Help You Get Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident

Drunk driving accidents are a major cause of preventable injuries and fatalities on the roadways of Louisiana. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly one-third of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States are caused by drunk drivers. These accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, permanent disabilities, and even death.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a drunk driving accident, you should not have to face the challenges of recovery and rebuilding on your own. Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Call (225) 230-3110 to speak with a Baton Rouge drunk driving accident lawyer today.

Drunk Driving Laws in Louisiana

Drunk driving accidents occur when individuals operate vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, impairing their ability to drive safely. These accidents can result in severe injuries, property damage, and, tragically, loss of life. To combat drunk driving, Louisiana, like other states, has enacted laws and penalties to deter such behavior and protect the public.

Louisiana's drunk driving laws are primarily covered under Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) 14:98. This statute outlines the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits and the associated penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI).

Louisiana's BAC limits were as follows:

• 0.08% BAC or higher for drivers aged 21 and older.
• 0.02% BAC or higher for drivers under the age of 21.
• 0.04% BAC or higher for commercial vehicle drivers.

Penalties for DUI/DWI convictions can include fines, license suspension, mandatory participation in a substance abuse program, community service, probation, and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions.

In cases where a drunk driver causes an accident resulting in injuries or fatalities, they may face not only criminal charges but also civil liability for the damages they caused. Injured parties or their families can pursue compensation through personal injury lawsuits against the responsible driver to cover medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, pain, and suffering.

Who is Liable for a Drunk Driving Accident?

In most drunk driving accidents, the drunk driver is liable for the damages they cause. However, there are cases where the driver who was hit by a drunk driver is also partially liable. For example, if a driver hits a pedestrian while driving and talking on their cell phone, the driver and the cell phone company may be partially liable for the accident.

The key to determining who is liable for a drunk driving accident is determining whether or not the driver was negligent in causing the accident. If the driver who hit the drunk driver was negligent, then the driver who was hit may be partially liable for the accident. If the driver who hit the drunk driver was not negligent, then the drunk driver will be liable for the damages.

Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys can help you determine who is liable for your injuries. We will work with your insurance company to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to fully recover.

Louisiana Dram Shop Law

Dram shop laws are statutes that hold establishments, such as bars, restaurants, and other businesses that sell alcoholic beverages, liable for the actions of their intoxicated customers. In Louisiana, these laws are found under Louisiana Revised Statutes (RS) 9:2800.1.

According to Louisiana's dram shop laws, if an establishment serves alcohol to an individual who is visibly intoxicated or under the age of 21, and that person subsequently causes injury or property damage due to their intoxication, the establishment can be held legally responsible. The injured party can file a lawsuit against the establishment to seek compensation for their damages.

It's important to note that dram shop liability is not absolute in Louisiana, and there are specific conditions that must be met for an establishment to be held accountable. The establishment must have had actual knowledge of the customer's intoxication or age and continued to serve them despite this knowledge.

Recovering Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident

The goal of a personal injury lawsuit is to hold the negligent party accountable for their actions and to compensate you for your losses. A successful personal injury lawsuit can help you recover monetary damages to cover your medical expenses, rehabilitative care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Drunk driving accidents are especially severe because they are completely preventable.

The compensation you can recover depends on the following:

• The extent of your injuries
• The circumstances of the accident
• The at-fault driver's insurance policy

Victims of drunk driving accidents are often left with exorbitant medical bills, long-term rehabilitation treatments, and permanent injuries. A successful personal injury lawsuit can help you cover these expenses and more.

You may be able to recover compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Physical and emotional pain
• Physical and emotional suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Funeral expenses
• Punitive damages

At Chris Corzo Injury Attorneys, we understand the pain and suffering that a drunk driving accident can cause. We will fight to hold the negligent driver accountable for their actions and to ensure that you receive the compensation you need to recover.

Get Started on Your Case Today

The sooner you reach out to our firm, the more evidence you can preserve. Our firm can help you gather evidence, such as eyewitness accounts, police reports, and medical records. We can also help you secure all of the insurance information of the at-fault driver.

Call (225) 230-3110 to speak with a Baton Rouge drunk driving accident lawyer. We can help you seek compensation for your injuries and loss of income. We can also help you fight for justice on behalf of the harm a drunk driver has caused.