DUI Accidents

Paducah DUI Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love was seriously injured or passed away in a Kentucky car accident involving a drunk driver, you may find yourself in a situation where your insurance settlement offer isn’t enough to pay for you or your family’s medical bills. This can leave you feeling hopeless and frustrated. If this at all sounds familiar, it might be time to consider hiring a Paducah DUI accident lawyer to ensure you and your loved ones can safely find the road to recovery.

Drunk driving is something that is preventable and should be prevented by everyone who considers getting behind the wheel. While most impaired drivers are charged with criminal charges, filing a civil drunk driving lawsuit against an intoxicated driver who caused an accident will allow a family to receive the compensation they need to move forward as well as send a message the guilty driver cannot ignore. There is never any excuse for driving while impaired by alcohol.

Kentucky Drunk Driving Statistics and Facts

Driving while under the influence of alcohol remains one of our state’s top causes for deadly traffic collisions. In 2015, 4,269 alcohol-related car accidents were reported in the state of Kentucky. Among those accidents, 2,072 people were injured and 175 more died. These numbers are staggering when you consider the fact that driving under the influence of alcohol is a crime and can be avoided.

Between the years 2014 and 2015, Kentucky also saw a 12% increase in the number of fatalities that were caused by alcohol-related crashes. The total number of drunk driving accidents that were reported, however, went down slightly between those two years. What this means is that, on average, 2015’s drunk drivers perhaps drove more recklessly or were more inhibited. This rise could also be explained by the simple fact that we have more cars on Kentucky roads than ever.

Whatever the cause, one thing is certain—getting behind the wheel while intoxicated is never acceptable behavior. The figures don’t look much better nationwide. According to the CDC, 28 individuals die every single day in crashes throughout the United States that are caused by drunk drivers. Think about that statistic for a moment. If you or someone you love was seriously injured by a drunk driver, you have every right to feel frustrated and angry.

What Can Be Done About Drunk Driving Accidents?

An accident that is caused by a drunk driver is sometimes referred to as a “DUI accident”. This is because the guilty driver is charged with a DUI for driving under the influence at the time of the crash. DUIs are criminal charges and can lead to heavy fines and jailtime. For a serious DUI offense, the driver may even have their driver’s license taken away in addition to fines and jailtime. Kentucky doesn’t take DUI charges lightly.

In addition to any criminal charges in place, a victim of a drunk driving accident can also file a civil lawsuit against the guilty driver. Doing so is often the only way to receive compensatory and punitive damages (financial compensation). Compensatory damages can go towards your medical bills, any loss of wage costs, and any pain and suffering costs. Additionally, you may be rewarded with punitive damages. This helps ensure that the guilty driver doesn’t get back behind the wheel while intoxicated.

DUI accidents can also be caused by drivers who get behind the wheel while otherwise impaired or intoxicated. Drug impairment is another serious issue that leads to hundreds of deadly car crashes every year. Any time an individual chooses to drive while under the influence of chemicals that alter brain chemistry, they are placing their lives and the lives of everyone on the road around them at risk.

Get Help from a Kentucky DUI Accident Lawyer

Drunk driving is a criminal and reckless act that has taken the lives of thousands of innocent and responsible drivers and passengers. Those who commit this crime must be held responsible. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, a Paducah drunk driving accident lawyer can help hold the guilty driver responsible and accountable.

If you or someone you love was injured or lost their life in an unfortunate accident that was caused by a driver under the influence, you deserve peace of mind. Take legal action and get the compensation you need to recover and get back on your feet again. Contact Daryl T. Dixon to find out how our Paducah law office can help.

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