Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Charlotte, NC Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

In addition to being against the law in the state of North Carolina to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, inebriated drivers may also be held liable for damages in a civil claim. Those who have been injured or suffered the loss of a loved one due to the negligence of a drunk driver may be entitled to compensation with the help of a Charlotte drunk driving accident lawyer at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC.

Why Choose Us?

With years of representing clients, our company has defended individuals hurt in drunk driving accidents in Charlotte, NC. We provide you with legal counsel where you may talk about the specifics of your case and get helpful information about personal injuries, as well as guidance on the filing procedure.

Our attorneys are skilled litigators who will put out endless effort to secure the monetary damages to which you are legally entitled. They will defend you with professionalism and compassion.

Drunk Driving Laws in North Carolina

For drivers 21 years of age and older, the legal limit is 0.08%. The standard is more stringent for drivers of commercial vehicles—0.04%. Furthermore, drivers under the age of 21 are subject to charges if there is any detectable alcohol in their system because of North Carolina’s zero-tolerance policy.

According to North Carolina’s implied consent law, when an officer stops a driver legally and feels they may be impaired, the driver automatically consents to any chemical tests (breath, blood, or urine). If you refuse to take the exam, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the right to immediately revoke your license for at least 30 days and for an additional year.

A first offense entails a fine of up to $200, a jail sentence ranging from 24 to 60 days, and a license suspension. Penalties can get worse for certain reasons, like:

• A blood alcohol content of 0.15% or more
• Causing a collision that leaves a significant injury to the victim
• Driving after having a license revoked for a prior DWI
• Transporting a child under the age of eighteen

Victims or their families may file a civil claim against intoxicated drivers in an attempt to recover damages for a variety of losses. Driving while intoxicated has serious financial repercussions, as well as long-term personal and social repercussions that go beyond the legal sanctions.

How Drinking Affects Driving Skills

Because alcohol affects the central nervous system, it affects driving in a number of important ways. Here are some ways that drinking affects different aspects of driving:

• Cognitive Function: Drinking impairs focus and attention span, making it challenging to concentrate on several things at once when driving. It reduces the speed at which the brain processes information, delaying reactions to changes in traffic. These disabilities make it more difficult for drivers to respond swiftly and effectively to unforeseen circumstances while driving.
• Vision: Alcohol slows down eye movements and impairs focus, which can result in double or fuzzy vision. Additionally, it reduces the field of vision, which makes it more difficult to see items that are not in a straight line of sight. Alcohol also impairs night vision, which makes driving in low light more difficult.
• Motor Skills: Driving requires balance and coordination, both of which are compromised by alcohol. This makes it impossible to accelerate smoothly, brake gently, or steer. The precision required for safe driving maneuvers is further reduced by impaired fine motor abilities.
• Decision-Making: Drinking reduces inhibitions and promotes risk-taking, which results in careless behaviors like speeding or running red lights. It clouds the judgment of the individual who may make bad choices, including misjudging speeds and distances or neglecting to yield. The driver and other drivers are put in danger due to this weakened decision-making.Alcohol impairs one’s ability to keep a steady lane position, which can lead to weaving or drifting. It also makes it challenging to maintain speed, which results in unpredictable driving behaviors. These deficiencies raise the possibility of accidents and hinder overall vehicle control.
• Mental Processing: Drinking impairs one’s capacity to process information at various times at once, such as when driving and listening to a GPS. Additionally, it impairs short-term memory, which makes it more difficult to recall traffic signals, road rules, or directions. The general awareness and reactivity of a driver are diminished by these cognitive deficits.

Seeking Damages for Your Injuries in Charlotte, NC

A settlement or jury verdict can give you the necessary funds to pay for your injury-related costs and losses, even though no amount of money can make up for the experience you have had. These could consist of losses like:

• Medical expenses
• Income lost in the present and the future
• Rehabilitating
• Suffering with pain
• Mental distress
• Property harm

You may be able to get compensation for things like burial costs, lost support, and companionship in the event of a wrongful death.

Recognizing Your Rights Following an Accident

The criminal penalties for operating a vehicle while intoxicated are spelled out in detail under North Carolina law. Penalties for a DWI conviction include jail time, fines, required alcohol treatment, and license suspension.

Anyone hurt in an accident brought on by a drunk driver may file a claim with the insurance company of the at-fault driver for financial compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost income, property damage, mental distress, and pain and suffering.

Drunk driving is an obvious example of negligence. In addition to breaking the law, the motorist endangered the lives of innocent bystanders, including you or a loved one, by not paying attention to other drivers’ and passengers’ safety.

What To Do If You’re in A Drunk Driving Accident

If necessary, seek medical care. Seek medical attention for everyone in the vehicle after a traffic accident, as some injuries aren’t evident. Protect your health with attentive medical care. Treatment records are vital in drunk driving accident cases.

Call the police to report the accident. Police should be notified of any accident, including alcohol-related ones. Police utilize field sobriety tests and other testing to establish if the driver is drunk.

Take scene notes and photos. Record the names of witnesses, police, and emergency staff at the crash site. Photograph the accident scene if possible. Document car damage, highway skid marks, and property damage (damaged mailbox, etc.). Insurance companies often accuse crash victims falsely when filing claims quickly because they take images. An attorney can assist by dealing with insurance companies.

Contact an attorney immediately if you suspect drinking caused your car accident. The attorney must have fresh criminal evidence such as breathalyzer findings, witness interviews, accident reports, and scene evidence before it is lost in the system. Claims in such circumstances have a deadline.

How A Charlotte Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help

It is essential to pursue a settlement with the assistance of an experienced North Carolina DUI accident attorney. Your lawyer will be knowledgeable about how to put together your claim and what kind of evidence is required to show the severity of your injuries and how they have affected your life. It will be far more difficult to get the maximum compensation you are entitled to without knowledgeable legal assistance.

For the benefit of hurt victims and their families, our team of knowledgeable lawyers and committed support staff puts forth endless effort to construct comprehensive, all-encompassing cases. Our team is skilled at seeking the full and just compensation you are entitled to.

FAQs

Q: Is Drunk Driving Tort Law?

A: Yes, driving under the influence can be considered tort law. Victims of drunk driving accidents who are wounded or receive property damage may bring a civil claim to recover damages for their losses. This is covered by personal injury, which is a branch of tort law in which the drunk driver’s negligence establishes liability.

Q: How Many Drunk Driving Accidents Per Year Near North Carolina?

A: The amount of drunk driving accidents varies each year in North Carolina. These accidents result in numerous injuries and fatalities each year. This shows the significant impact of impaired driving on road safety in the state. Those who are affected by drunk driving accidents may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.

Q: What Age Do Most Drunk Driving Accidents Occur?

A: Most accidents involving intoxicated driving involve drivers between the ages of 21 and 34. This age group has a tendency to have greater rates of alcohol use and is more prone to engage in dangerous activities, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which contributes to a higher number of accidents.

Q: What Is the Legal Term for Drunk Driving?

A: “Driving Under the Influence” (DUI) or “Driving While Intoxicated” (DWI) is the legal term for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Both of these words allude to the act of driving a vehicle while having a blood alcohol content (BAC) that is higher than the legal limit, which makes it difficult for the driver to operate the vehicle in a safe manner.

Contact Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, an attorney at Butler, Quinn & Hochman, PLLC can help. Our attorneys can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your damages. Contact us today for more information.