Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Denver

If you have been injured in a drunk driving car accident in Denver, you may have a right under Colorado law to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other accident-related expenses. You should not have to pay medical costs for injuries sustained in a DUI accident caused by another driver.

Talk to a knowledgeable car accident attorney if you or a loved one has been injured in a crash with a drunk driver in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado. For more than 40 years, The Wilhite Law Firm has fought for injured Coloradans and established a Heritage of Justice. Our legal team is guided by core values that reflect our compassion and dedication to serving our clients. We recognize that serious injuries can disrupt your life and leave you unable to work for months or longer. Let us help. Our DUI injury attorneys understand how to build a case for full compensation and how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies.

Drunk Driving Accidents in Denver, Colorado

Drunk driving is a serious safety issue and one of the leading causes of crashes, causing injuries and deaths in Colorado. Drivers who make the irresponsible decision to drive while intoxicated or with impaired ability due to alcohol or drugs should be held accountable for the harm they cause.

Approximately one out of three fatal traffic accidents in Colorado in 2017 involved a driver who was legally impaired by alcohol or drugs, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Impaired driving fatalities increased 16 percent from 2016 to 2017.

After an alcohol-related accident, a driver may be charged with Driving Under the Influence if tests show the driver is legally intoxicated. Alternatively, the driver may be charged with Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) if tests show the driver has a blood alcohol content of .05% to .07%.

The driver may face criminal fines or jail time if convicted of alcohol-related charges. The prosecution of an alleged drunk driver is intended to punish the dangerous driver and protect the public. But you should be aware that a criminal conviction of the drunk driver will not provide any compensation to you as the accident victim.

You will need to file a separate civil lawsuit against the motorist who injured you to seek compensation. A civil lawsuit seeking monetary compensation is a separate action from any criminal prosecution of a drunk driver.

Common Injuries & Long-Term Effects from Drunk Driving Accidents

Drunk driving collisions in Denver often result in severe, life-altering injuries. Impaired drivers are often reckless, and many are unable to slow down or maneuver in order to avoid colliding with another vehicle. Drunk drivers can also pass out behind the wheel, causing them to collide with other cars or trucks at full speed. Some of the conditions that are common in drunk driving accidents include the following:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most severe conditions you can develop following an accident with a drunk driver. Any significant jolt or blow to the head could cause a brain injury like a concussion. These injuries come with some unusual symptoms, including personality changes and chronic pain. What’s more, it can take months or longer for these symptoms to appear.

Spinal Cord Injuries

A spinal cord injury has the potential to cause paralysis, which comes in two different forms. Partial paralysis might involve the intermittent loss of sensation or control in the body, while full paralysis is permanent.

Orthopedic Injuries

Broken bones, joint dislocations, and crushed limbs are common in high-impact crashes. While these injuries often heal, it can take months or even years for a person to regain the full use of their boy after a serious injury.

Psychological Trauma

The emotional toll of a drunk driving crash can be just as devastating. Victims frequently develop post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Mental health support is often necessary for years following the accident.

I Was Hit By a Drunk Driver. Can I Sue?

Yes, you may have a right to sue if you were hit by an intoxicated driver and sustained significant injuries, regardless of whether you were involved in a car accident, motorcycle accident, or truck accident.

Every case has unique facts and considerations. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can review the facts of your drunk driving car crash in Denver and discuss whether you have a valid claim against the drunk driver.

Colorado law requires that motorists carry liability insurance to pay for the damage they cause. You may file a claim against the drunk driver’s insurance. If the insurance company refuses to provide fair compensation, you may need to file a lawsuit.

If we believe a lawsuit is in order, The Wilhite Law Firm will offer to represent you on a contingency fee basis. We can file a civil lawsuit on your behalf to seek compensation from the at-fault driver and the driver’s insurance company. The types of compensation that may be sought will depend on the specific details of your case and the types of losses you have incurred.

A personal injury lawyer who represents car crash victims can review the details of your alcohol-related accident and discuss what damages are available in your particular case.

Do I Need a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

You need to work with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer if you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation after a DUI accident. You will be at a big disadvantage if you try to negotiate with the at-fault driver’s insurance company on your own.

A Denver drunk driving accident attorney can gather evidence to show that the intoxicated driver was responsible for the crash and that the driver acted negligently by driving under the influence and caused your injuries.

An attorney can calculate all your losses related to your injury, including your present medical expenses, your loss of income from missed work, your pain and suffering, and other losses. If injuries will require future medical care, we will consult with your doctors to understand the expected treatment you will need and how your injuries will affect your ability to resume work. Future medical costs and loss of income are important considerations in lawsuits involving serious injuries.

An experienced DUI accident lawyer can negotiate aggressively with the insurance company representing the at-fault driver for a full settlement that reflects the extent of your losses.

Without the guidance of a knowledgeable attorney, it is easy to underestimate your actual losses.

It is best to have an experienced lawyer handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company for a Denver drunk driving accident settlement.

What Is Next After a Drunk Driving Accident?

We understand that you may be uncertain of your legal rights if you have been injured in a crash caused by a DUI driver. Most people who contact The Wilhite Law Firm have never been in a serious accident and are uncertain what to do next. If you are visiting this website, then you may recognize the need to understand your legal options.

During a no-obligation consultation, a drunk driving injury attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm will review the details of your accident at no charge and provide our perspective about whether you have a valid injury claim. If your drunk driving accident case is the type that The Wilhite Law Firm handles, our team of attorneys in Denver will offer to handle your case on a contingency fee basis. That means there is no legal fee owed unless our tough, aggressive attorneys negotiate a settlement or obtain a jury award for you.

Few things are more devastating than being an innocent victim in a drunk driving accident. After seeking medical attention, your next step should be to find a qualified personal injury attorney who can advise you of your legal rights and options following this traumatic event.

At The Wilhite Law Firm, our attorneys have extensive experience in personal injury law and, as a result, have developed a wide network of resources that can help our clients get well and back to their lives. We can help you no matter where you live in Colorado, including the Denver metro area or Colorado Springs. Contact us today to schedule a no-cost consultation at our office.

Investigation Process and Evidence Collection in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

Building a strong legal case after a crash with an intoxicated driver in Denver requires evidence. These investigations often begin with police reports, in which law enforcement officers document their findings after a crash. This report could include a host of details about the crash, including sketches of the accident and information on weather conditions.

The most important evidence in these cases are blood alcohol content (BAC) test results. The police typically take blood, breath, or urine samples following an arrest for DUI. If these test results show a driver was over the legal limit, it could be enough to decide the case.

Eyewitnesses may offer valuable insight into the driver’s behavior before and after the crash. Gathering these statements early helps preserve accurate recollections. Video evidence from nearby businesses or vehicle dashcams can also visually corroborate the eyewitness account of reckless behavior.

In complex cases, accident reconstruction specialists may be consulted to gather details from the crash site and use scientific methods to explain how the crash occurred. This might involve measuring skid marks or analyzing the resting location of both vehicles to determine how the crash happened.

Pursuing Damages After a Drunk Driving Crash

Victims of drunk driving accidents in Denver may be entitled to both compensatory damages, depending on the facts of the case. This type of compensation is intended to make the injury victim “whole,” and can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Diminished future earnings
• Property damage
• Medical bills

In rare cases, it may be possible to obtain punitive damages following a drunk driving crash. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are designed to punish the drunk driver for gross negligence and deter others from similar behavior. In Colorado, punitive damages may be awarded if the driver’s conduct shows a wanton or reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Contact Your Colorado Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Contact us today to discuss your concerns. Speak with an experienced:

• Denver Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
• Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
• Fort Collins Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
• Greeley Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers

There are no fees unless we win your case.

Have You Been Injured by a Drunk Driver or Lost a Loved One in a Denver Car Accident?

Since 1977, our attorneys have been building strong cases using accident reconstruction techniques after drunk driving car accidents in Denver. From helping gather witness statements to collecting evidence, such as tire marks on the road and photos capturing the extent of the damage and every injury, we will work tirelessly on your behalf to ensure that every detail is preserved for the record.

We also know how to handle insurance companies and make sure you get the compensation you need, even if you were hurt by an uninsured motorist. Our goal is to maximize your compensation settlement or verdict, so you have hope for the future.

At The Wilhite Law Firm, we define hope, one of our 4 Core Values, as the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. It is about looking forward with desire and reasonable confidence.

We want to hear your story, so call us today. Contact us day or night, seven days a week, 365 days a year.