When you need an experienced Woburn personal injury attorney, you can count on Faneuf Law Group LLC. Let us deal with all of the paperwork and hassles, while you rest and get back on your feet.
The Woburn drunk driving victims’ attorneys here at the Faneuf Law Group LLC fully understand the great damage that a drunk driver can wreak on you and your family. Over the past 17 years, we’ve successfully defended many cases involving drunk driver car accident victims here in Woburn and all around the state of Massachusetts.
If you, a family member, or someone you know has been a victim of a drunk driving accident in Massachusetts, you need to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Woburn to fight for your rights.
When it comes to drunk driving accidents, you want an experienced personal injury lawyer that can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been hit head-on by a drunk driver, broadsided by a drunk driver, or you were a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a drunk driving accident, make sure you contact a drunk driving accident law firm right away.
Look, car accidents are bad enough on their own. However, when it comes to drunk driving accidents, these can be far more devastating because alcohol-impaired drivers are prone to driving high above speed limits, ignoring traffic signals and other roadway signage and even driving on the wrong side of the road. As you can imagine, these accidents often result in wrongful death or serious injuries that can affect a person for the rest of their life. While you’re going to have damages for your vehicle, you have to remember there’s also lost wages, medical bills, therapy, and rehab you have to worry about.
Drunk Driving Accidents by the Numbers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report in December of 2019, you can check out that report here. The data they released is down right terrifying. According to the report, an average of one alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 50 minutes in 2018.
What did we learn? There were more than 10,000 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in which at least one driver was considered to be alcohol-impaired. This added up to nearly one-third of all traffic fatalities for 2018.
According to the December 2019 report by the NHTSA;
Alcohol-impaired drivers that were involved in fatal crashes were X3 more drunk at night versus the day.
Drivers that are aged 21-24 who were alcohol-impaired had the highest percentage of drivers in fatal crashes (27 percent) versus other age groups.
Motorcycle riders that were alcohol-impaired made up 25 percent of fatal crashes when compared to trucks and cars.
Blood alcohol concentration, Operating under the influence
You may be wondering when does a driver become “alcohol-impaired,” this would be when his or her blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is .08 grams per deciliter (g/DL) or higher. To be considered an alcohol-impaired accidents, the driver involved needs to have a BAC of .08 g/dL. The terms “drunk driver” or “drunk driving” can be substituted for “alcohol-impaired driver” or “alcohol-impaired driving.”
In the great state of Massachusetts, the term OUI (Operating Under the Influence) is used to refer to a standard drunk driving charge. It’s illegal for a person with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher to drive in all 50 states, including Massachusetts, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC of .04 g/dL or higher violates federal regulations.
In Massachusetts, penalties for operating under the influence include fines, jail time and license revocation, depending on the facts of the current offense and any prior convictions that the driver might have.
Massachusetts laws pertaining to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be found here.
What do you do now if Your Have Been in an Accident With a Drunk Driver?
If you’ve been in an accident with a drunk driver, you need to make sure you document everything. Yes, you should call the police right away. If you’re seriously injured, don’t worry about collecting evidence. However, if you’re able, you do want to collect as much evidence as you can.
What type of evidence do you need to collect? Here’s what we suggest:
Taking pictures/video of injuries
Taking pictures/video of damages (vehicle, property, etc)
Other driver’s drivers license and insurance
Contact details for witnesses
If you’re dealing with an intoxicated driver that is acting aggressive or erratic, you can obtain the driver’s contact information from the police. You don’t want to argue with anyone that is alcohol-impaired, so in those scenarios, keep your distance until the police arrive. In fact, if you notice the driver is drunk, it’s likely best to stay away from them until emergency vehicles arrive.
As soon as you’re able to, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. You need to have your injuries documented by a medical professional, especially if you plan to seek compensation at a later time. Even if your injuries appear to be minor in nature, have them checked out, go ahead and check everything.
Your next step is to speak with an experienced drunk driving victim’s attorney in Woburn about the proper course of action. Don’t delay. An attorney will help you understand your rights under the law and review all of your options.
Responsible Parties For Your Vehicle Accident Injuries
The personal injury lawyer you hire will investigate your accident and gather evidence of the other driver’s intoxication and fault for the vehicle accident. An attorney will also explore whether anyone else is legally responsible for your injuries.
There’s a lot of employers across the state of Massachusetts that require their employees to drive. If an employer knew an employee was drunk and never said anything, they may be responsible for your injuries. Employers that serve alcohol can also be held responsible in certain scenarios. For example, a bar could be liable if they overserved the drunk driver. If the drunk driver consumed the alcohol while in the scope of his or her employment, the employer could be held responsible for your injuries.
The state of Massachusetts has a law called Dram Shop Law, it bars vendors from serving or selling alcohol to a minor or an intoxicated person. The law applies to bartenders, wait staff, managers and business owners. If they served someone that was underage, they may be held responsible.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies can be a complicated process. Your personal injury law firm can work with the drunk driver’s auto insurer on your behalf, This is important because we can make sure you’re being treated fair and that you receive full compensation for your injuries.
In some cases, the drunk driver’s insurance policy may not provide enough coverage to reimburse you for your injuries. In such cases, it’s possible that you might be able to recover using your own insurance policy. To determine that, you’ll need to get an answer from the insurer.
If an insurance company contacts you, refer the insurer to your car accident lawyer and refrain from making any other statement. You’re not obligated to speak to the insurance company.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is victims accepting the 1st settlement that is offered by the insurance company. Make no mistake about it, even if your injuries are minor right now, they can can turn into major injuries later on in your life. The insurance companies don’t just want you to accept the settlement, the insurer will also want you to sign a release of liability. Guess what that means? If your injuries get worse or cause you problems later, they’re not going to be responsible for them and you’re going to have to pay out of pocket. This will prevent you from pursuing any additional claims related to the accident at a future date. The best advice we can give you - NEVER sign your right to compensation away.
Your drunk driving victims attorney will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf for the maximum amount of compensation available. Also, your attorney will help identify other parties who might be liable, including anyone who served the drunk driver while he or she was intoxicated. If you’re not sure if another party is liable for your car accident and your injuries, your attorney can help you gather facts and make a determination afterward. This is exactly why you need to take advantage of our free no-obligation consultation - we’ll be able to answer all the questions you have.
You can also recover against the drunk driver in a civil suit. This might be the only way for you to recoup the costs of medical care, lost wages and other damages related to the accident. A civil suit is separate from any criminal proceedings being pursued against a drunk driver.
However, keep in mind that the drunk driver might not have enough money to cover your damages, especially if the accident was a serious one. Again, a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney will help you choose the course of action that’s right for you and your specific situation.
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENTS CAN GET Complicated
Drunk driving cases can get complicated, so having an experienced drunk driving victims lawyer in Woburn is key to getting the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Car accidents are often very serious and you can have permanent injuries for the rest of your life. That can have a huge impact on you and your family now and for years to come.
Every drunk driving case is unique, no two are the same. The key to a successful outcome is personalized legal advice specifically focused around your situation and the facts of your case.
The Faneuf Law Group LLC has successfully handled drunk driving cases and other car accident cases on behalf of individuals in Woburn, Brockton, Cambridge, Lawrence and other areas of Massachusetts.
Our attorneys are equipped to help all drunk driving victims, this includes motorists, passengers and pedestrians whose lives have been turned upside down by a drunk driver’s negligence.
If you or a family member are dealing with a Massachusetts drunk driving victims accident case or any other car accident or personal injury case, contact the Woburn personal injury lawyers at the Faneuf Law Group for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. You can reach us directly at (617) 939-9894.
If you’ve been involved a truck accident involving a drunk driver, we can help with your case too.