Recovering Compensation After a Drunk Driving Collision

As you are probably already aware, drinking even moderate amounts of alcohol can have a negative impact on a person’s ability to drive a vehicle. For this reason, drunk driving is illegal in all 50 states, and people whom the police catch drunk behind the wheel are subject to harsh legal consequences.

The unfortunate reality is that people continue to drive drunk regardless of the law, sometimes with disastrous consequences. Accidents caused by intoxicated drivers can cause extremely serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious burns, and more. In addition, many drunk driving accidents cause serious damage to the vehicles involved, which can easily result in thousands of dollars in repair bills or even the total loss of a vehicle.

Fortunately, victims of drunk drivers can recover compensation for these and other losses—but not without first taking action. For this reason, anyone hurt by an intoxicated driver should speak to an attorney immediately.

What About the Criminal Case?

You may feel satisfied to see the drunk driver who caused your accident handcuffed, put into a police car, and hauled away. Knowing that the criminal justice system will not let the driver get away with driving drunk may give you peace of mind—but it will do little to compensate you for the losses you sustained. A criminal case is an action brought by the state against an individual who is accused of violating the law. If you want to recover compensation for the losses you sustained, you must file a civil claim against the person or party responsible for your damages.

Most Cases Are Resolved Through Insurance Settlements

In practice, however, not all victims need to file lawsuits to recover compensation for their losses. In drunk driving cases, the driver’s insurance company typically concedes liability for the wreck, leaving as the only point of contention the amount that it will pay the victim. Simply because an insurance company agrees to settle a case, however, does not mean you should not retain a lawyer, because insurance companies are known to make lowball offers to unrepresented parties, hoping they will simply accept them and relinquish their legal rights. An attorney familiar with Connecticut car accident litigation will determine the value of your case and ensure that you do not accept a settlement that does not cover your losses. In addition, if the insurance company will not settle for a reasonable amount, your lawyer may file a lawsuit against the drunk driver to ensure your recovery of full compensation.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a New London Car Accident Lawyer

People who are injured by drunk or drugged drivers are typically entitled to compensation for their losses under Connecticut law. We are committed to helping injured victims move past their injuries—not just financially, but medically, emotionally, and psychologically as well. To set up an appointment to discuss your case with an attorney, call Polito & Harrington today at (860) 447-3300 or contact us online.