Have you been injured by a drunk driver in Charlotte? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, and a drunk driving accident lawyer can help. At Riddle & Riddle, our drunk driving accident attorneys in have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our deserving clients (see disclaimer below).
Don’t wait — the longer you wait to file a claim, the harder it may be to recover maximum compensation in your drunk driving accident injury claim.
We are available for in-person consultation at our convenient Charlotte location by appointment only, and can consult with you for free anytime, anywhere by phone, email, text or video conference.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Charlotte, NC
Drunk driving is unfortunately common throughout North Carolina, and Charlotte is no exception. According to a report by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), there were 883 auto accidents involving alcohol in Charlotte in 2019, 761 of which resulted in injury.
27 auto accidents involving alcohol resulted in death in Charlotte in 2019.
The terrible reality is that all these injuries and deaths were preventable, had the at-fault driver exercised more responsibility. Drunk driving is illegal in North Carolina and carries serious criminal penalties — and victims can also seek compensation through a civil claim or lawsuit.
A Charlotte personal injury lawyer can help fight for justice and compensation on behalf of those injured by a drunk driver, or for the surviving family members of those tragically killed in drunk driving accidents.
Criminal Charges and Civil Claims in Drunk Driving Accident Cases
In most drunk driving accidents, the at-fault driver will be charged with a crime. However, criminal penalties do not directly compensate the injured party or a deceased victim’s surviving family members. However, a conviction in a drunk driving accident case can strengthen the plaintiff’s case in a drunk driving accident claim, often resulting in higher compensation.
At Riddle & Riddle, we often attend court hearings and trials in criminal cases involving drunk drivers who have injured our clients. We always want to see the at-fault driver held to account for any injuries caused by their negligence, and we do what we can for our clients to ensure that happens.
Civil Claims
In North Carolina, victims of drunk driving accidents may file a civil claim or lawsuit seeking damages for injuries and economic losses suffered as a result of a drunk driving accident.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, in which a drunk driver’s actions are found to constitute “gross negligence” involving “willful or wanton” conduct that put others at risk of injury, a jury may award punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to “punish” the at-fault driver in order to discourage similarly reckless behavior in the future.
A Charlotte car accident lawyer can help evaluate your claim and determine what types of damages may be pursued. There are no attorney fees unless we win your drunk driving accident case and you receive compensation.
“What Can a Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Do for Me?”
An experienced drunk driving accident attorney can handle all aspects of your civil claim or lawsuit involving injuries suffered due to a drunk driver. At Riddle & Riddle, our injury attorneys can:
- Organize a thorough accident investigation
- Collect and preserve important evidence
- Identify and interview potential witnesses
- Attend court hearings on behalf of the injured client
- Obtain the police report from law enforcement
- Subpoena outside evidence, including GPS or traffic data and “black box” data
- Calculate damages
- Hire expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists to prove liability
- Negotiate with the insurance company and defense counsel
- Prepare you for a statement to the insurance company
- Coordinate with law enforcement in the investigation
- File a lawsuit if necessary
- Prepare and file necessary court documents and legal briefs
- Represent you in court and at trial
- Represent you in mediation and/or arbitration proceedings
- Seek a reduction in medical liens
- Set up trusts or guardianships to ensure long-term care if necessary
Experienced Attorneys Handling Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Cases
Drunk driving accident cases can be complex and time-consuming. You don’t have to go through this alone.
At Riddle & Riddle, we’ve represented hundreds of clients who have been injured by drunk drivers, and we would love to help you however we can.
There is no obligation, and there are no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we win your case and you receive compensation.
Justice Counts for victims of drunk driving accidents in Charlotte and across North Carolina.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.