The risks associated with drunk driving are well known. However, many people forego the warnings and still choose to drive under the influence. Anyone found guilty of this offense faces serious legal consequences, as drunk driving has the potential to cause severe accidents, injuries, and death.
Operating a motor vehicle while impaired is no mistake. If some chooses to drive drunk and causes an accident, they can be held legally responsible for any damages caused by their negligence.
If you or a loved one have sustained avoidable injuries due to a drunk driving car accident in Bridgeport, you deserve fair payment for your losses. Compensation could cover medical costs, lost wages, future injury-related expenses, and punitive damages relevant to the case. A car accident lawyer at Berkowitz Hanna can review the circumstances of the crash and advise you of your legal options.
Drunk driving is highly illegal in the United States. If someone is found operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding .08 percent, they face severe legal repercussions for their recklessness. According to state law, all drivers give their implied consent to a BAC test at the request of the police.
It is important to note that driving with a BAC under the legal limit may still be illegal if there is enough alcohol in the driver’s system to impair their judgment and reaction time. Further, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by prescription or illegal drugs is also unlawful.
A law that could prove crucial in drunk driving car accident cases is the state’s dram shop law. In certain circumstances, Connecticut General Statutes §30-102 may hold an establishment that served alcohol to the drunk driver liable for the related injuries. The establishment must be found to have intentionally served the person when they were perceptibly intoxicated, and the damages must have resulted from the customer’s intoxication. A Bridgeport attorney can help you determine if an establishment is to blame for a drunk driving accident and pursue compensation from them if possible.
Many instances of drunk driving result in the arrest of the intoxicated driver. Some injured people may mistakenly believe that they must wait for the resolution of the criminal charges before bringing a civil lawsuit seeking damages. This is not true.
In a criminal case, a prosecutor must prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If someone is convicted on drunk driving charges, the penalties they face include license suspension, fines, and possible jail time. In a civil case, the attorney for the injured party must prove that the driver was negligent and did not exercise the ordinary care that the situation required.
Criminal proceedings and civil lawsuits are independent of each other. A criminal conviction or guilty plea on drunk driving charges could be evidence of intentional, reckless behavior that bolsters an injured person’s claim for damages. However, there is often sufficient evidence of negligent behavior for a civil case to proceed before a final disposition of the criminal charges. A Bridgeport attorney could help you demonstrate that negligence was present in a drunk driving accident.
When a person makes the irresponsible and illegal decision to drive drunk, they should be held responsible for any harm caused by their negligence. Although damages cannot make up for your avoidable suffering, they can help you cover the costs of your related injuries.
Following a drunk driving car accident in Bridgeport, contact a local personal injury attorney to pursue legal action against those liable. Our dedicated legal counsel can assess your unique case and determine if financial compensation is possible. Call Berkowitz Hanna today to schedule a case review.
Berkowitz Hanna
