Drunk Driving Car Accidents

Contact A Seekonk Car Accident Attorney After A Drunk Driving Crash

If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver in a car accident in Seekonk, it’s imperative you seek out the advice of an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered negligent and can risk injury and death to other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists on the road. If you, or a loved one, have been involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your damages including medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, and pain and suffering. The Seekonk car accident lawyers at Tapalian Law help people hurt in car wrecks seek monetary damages for injuries caused by an intoxicated driver, distracted driver, speeding driver, or any type of accident in Seekonk, MA or Rhode Island. Serious crashes on I-95 in Seekonk frequently involve an alcohol or drug impaired driver and can result in devastating injuries or a fatality. Our knowledgeable drunk driving lawyers in Seekonk are here to help you seek justice after a careless and negligent driver caused you, or a loved one, to be harmed. Our personal injury attorneys serve the Seekonk, Massachusetts area along with nearby Attleboro, Rehoboth, Swansea, and Taunton, and our team is ready to support you with seeking justice after an intoxicated or drug-impaired driver caused you or a loved one harm.

Massachusetts Drunk Driving Laws

In Massachusetts, motor vehicle operators ages 21 and over with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or more are considered in excess of the legal limit. Those under the age of 21 are considered in excess of the legal limit with a BAC of .02% or over. Not only can a drunk driver face criminal penalties for driving while intoxicated, but those injured in a collision caused by a drunk driver can also bring civil action against the driver to recover monetary compensation. In a lawsuit, the injured plaintiff must show that the defendant failed to use reasonable care and skill when operating the motor vehicle, thereby causing the collision. One way a seasoned drunk driving attorney can help Seekonk residents establish negligence on the part of the defendant is by obtaining a copy of the police report showing that the defendant was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash. Your injury attorney will then establish proof that the injuries were caused by the crash, such as obtaining medical documentation showing hospital and doctors records detailing the injuries and when they occurred.

Seeking Compensation After an Auto Accident

Once fault has been established and injuries proven to be caused by the auto accident, damages will be documented by your accident lawyer. A plaintiff may be entitled to recover damages including, but not limited to, hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, future medical care, and reduced future earning capacity. If the Seekonk drunk driving crash resulted in a fatality, eligible family members of the deceased may be entitled to file a wrongful death action against the intoxicated driver. In the unfortunate circumstances of a fatal accident, certain family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses, loss of expected net income, as well as loss of the deceased’s companionship, care, comfort, support and advice. Punitive damages may also be awarded in a Massachusetts wrongful death action.

Dram Shop Laws in Massachusetts

Home to a large number of restaurants and bars, Seekonk’s Route 6 is a high traffic area especially vulnerable to drunk driving accidents. In Massachusetts, vendors are prohibited from serving or selling alcohol to an intoxicated person, as detailed in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 138, Section 69. A supplier who does so may be held liable for negligence in the event they knew, or should have known, the consumer was intoxicated and a potential drunk driving risk. If the over-serving is found to have contributed to the cause of a drunk driving accident, the restaurant or bar may be held partially responsible. A skilled Seekonk drunk driving accident lawyer can determine whether or not the drunk driver at fault for the accident had visited a drinking establishment prior to the accident and if the vendor continued to serve liquor to the person, despite the person being visibly intoxicated.

Deadline for Filing an Injury Claim After a Drunk Driving Accident

As with most Massachusetts personal injury claims, there is a three-year statute of limitations from the date of the accident in which a claim for personal injury must be filed. If the deadline is missed, there is a strong likelihood the claim will be dismissed. The accident attorneys at Tapalian Law can help you navigate the claims process after an auto accident in MA or RI.

Retain a Seekonk Drunk Driving Lawyer If You Are Hit by An Impaired Driver

Negligent drivers can inflict harm on innocent victims when they least expect it, which is why our Seekonk drunk driving accident attorneys are available to speak with you days, nights, weekends, and holidays. Drunk driving collisions occur more frequently during the holidays, nights and weekends, but clearly a vehicle accident can happen at any time. It is important you seek a skilled car accident lawyer after your drunk driving crash to seek damages for your losses. Attorney David Tapalian is an experienced personal injury lawyer ready to help Seekonk, MA residents recover compensation after a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle, or slip and fall. Call our injury law firm in Seekonk, MA, Providence, RI, or Warwick, RI today at 401-552-5000, or reach us online.