Drunk Driving Car Accidents

Car Crash Lawyer Helping Residents of Providence

The dangers of driving drunk are widely known, yet many people still make the decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. According to reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 30 percent of all fatal accidents nationwide involve a driver impaired by alcohol, and every two minutes, a person is seriously injured due to a drunk driver. Knowledgeable car accident lawyer David Tapalian assists victims and their families with legal claims designed to hold the appropriate parties responsible for their reckless actions. Our firm helps people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts navigate the legal process while they recover from their injuries following a crash. With over 20 years of experience, Providence drunk driving accident attorney David Tapalian offers compassionate legal advocacy for victims dealing with devastating injuries or families coping with the loss of a loved one.

Seeking Compensation for a Drunk Driving Accident

One-third of all traffic-related deaths in Rhode Island and Massachusetts result from a driver under the influence of alcohol. Catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injury and paralysis, may also result from these severe accidents, forcing victims to adjust to a new kind of life and the costs associated with that adjustment. Holding drivers liable for these injuries is imperative to ensure that victims are financially able to move on with their lives.

Personal injury lawsuits allow victims to recover compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering, among other damages. A driver who was under the influence at the time of a crash may be held liable under a negligence per se legal theory, also known as “negligence as a matter of law.” Circumstances in which an individual violates a law designed to protect a certain class of people often lead to negligence per se liability. It is illegal for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher to operate a motor vehicle in Massachusetts or Rhode Island. This law is intended to protect others on the road from the harm associated with a drunk driving accident. Thus, a driver who is shown to be guilty of a DUI offense may be found negligent as a matter of law. Drunk driving accident lawyer David Tapalian helps Providence residents and others bring these types of legal claims.

Rhode Island and Massachusetts Dram Shop Laws

Under dram shop laws, moreover, certain venues that are licensed to sell liquor may be held liable for over-serving very intoxicated drivers. Establishments subject to this type of liability include bars, liquor stores, hotels, nightclubs, sports arenas, taverns, and restaurants. Dram shop laws require these places to train their bartenders, as well as servers and other employees, to be able to recognize the signs of an impaired individual and take caution to avoid serving an over-intoxicated patron. If a bar or another establishment fails to take such precautions and continues to serve an intoxicated driver, who then causes a drunk driving accident, it may be held liable for the damages.

Contact a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in the Providence Area

When a drunk driving accident has inflicted life-altering harm or claimed a life, there is no reason to shoulder the ensuing financial burden alone. Providence drunk driving accident lawyer David Tapalian represents victims and their families in their legal claims while they focus on regaining their health and emotional stability. Tapalian Law aids injured people throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts, with offices in Providence and Seekonk. Call us at 401-552-5000 or contact us online to learn more about your legal rights and schedule a free consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney.