Drunk Driving Accidents:

Drunk Driving Accidents: Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents kill someone in America every 32 minutes, and non-fatally injure someone every two minutes. There have been years with over one million injuries due to drunk drivers.

If you have been injured as a result of a drunk driving accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries from the drunk driver and/or their insurer. This remedy is not limited to drivers and passengers of other vehicles, but extends to injured pedestrians, and even close family members of those injured under certain circumstances.

Remember also that even if you were injured as a passenger in a vehicle that was driven by a drunk driver who was at fault for the accident, you can still bring a lawsuit for those injuries against that driver. This is because a driver owes a legal duty of reasonable care not only to other drivers and pedestrians, but also to passengers in his or her own vehicle.

It is important to understand that the phrases "driving while intoxicated" (DWI) and "driving under the influence" (DUI) as used in most states do not refer to just drinking alcohol and driving. DWI and DUI can also mean that a driver was using a vehicle while under the influence of any illegal drug, such as marijuana or cocaine.

Over-the-counter or prescription drugs that significantly impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle can also lead to a conclusion that a person was "driving under the influence." Such a driver can be legally liable for any injuries caused in a resulting car accident if they failed to follow instructions for taking the medication, or ignored warnings in connection with taking the medication (such as the danger of operating a vehicle).

Generally, people who operate automobiles must exercise reasonable care while driving, and a failure to use reasonable care is considered negligence. In order to be successful in a lawsuit for injuries suffered in an automobile accident, the injured party, known as the plaintiff, is required to prove that the defendant was negligent in some way, that the negligence caused the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff's injuries.

However, if a person drives a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, he or she will be considered negligent whether or not he or she was legally intoxicated in any particular state. In this case, the plaintiff's attorney need only prove that the defendant's judgment was impaired by the alcohol or drug.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a drunk or impaired driver, please contact a personal injury attorney immediately to protect your rights.