(800)525-7111 Free Consultation

Do I Need a Lawyer If the Drunk Driver Who Hit Me Is Facing Criminal Charges?

Dan Brian   |  December 2, 2016   |  

In mid-November, a man from Fayetteville, North Carolina was arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) after hitting a pedestrian with his vehicle. Prior to the wreck, the alleged drunk driver was traveling south on Purdue Drive around midnight. At the same time, a 28-year-old man was walking north on Purdue Drive. After he was hit by the drunk driver’s vehicle, the pedestrian was taken to the hospital where he died a short time later.

The drunk driver is facing several charges because of the incident, including:

  • Driving without insurance
  • Death by motor vehicle
  • Driving with a revoked license plate
  • DWI
  • Lane violation

Why Do I Need a Lawyer If the Drunk Driver Who Hit Me Was Arrested?

While drivers should absolutely face criminal charges for driving under the influence, even if the drunk driver who hit you or a loved one is arrested, you should still talk to an attorney. Criminal lawsuits do help keep drunk drivers off the streets, but they do not provide help to victims suffering after a drunk driving accident.

Often, DWI accident victims and their families are left with massive hospital bills, loss of income if injuries prevent them from working, lifelong medical expenses for rehab and physical therapy and funeral expenses if a family member was killed in the wreck. A civil lawsuit can help victims and their families hold those at fault for their pain and suffering accountable financially, enabling them to get the help they need to rebuild their lives. Civil lawsuits can be filed even before the criminal lawsuit has been concluded, and the burden of proof in civil cases is less strict, which raises the chances that plaintiffs secure favorable verdicts and settlements.