This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by JR Krebs following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. JR Krebs, the Founding Partner, has years of legal experience as a Personal Injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
At Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers, our Tuscaloosa drunk driving accident lawyer helps victims seek compensation after a collision with an intoxicated driver. Drunk driving accidents destroy lives in Tuscaloosa and across Alabama every year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 210 people were killed in 5,524 motor vehicle accidents involving suspected drug or alcohol impairment in one recent year. Drunk driving fatalities occur at a rate of 3.6 per 100,000 residents, accounting for 22% of all car crash deaths in the state. This guide explains your legal options and rights after a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Our law firm fights for justice and fair compensation for every injured client we represent.
Alabama law sets clear boundaries against impaired driving and drunk driving. The legal blood alcohol content limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and older, as outlined in NHTSA's alcohol-impaired driving data. Despite strict traffic laws, drunk driving crashes remain a serious problem throughout the state.
Justice for your DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT case starts with one call
Victims of drunk driving accidents often suffer severe injuries that change their lives. Alabama car crashes involving drivers under the influence were 7.62 times more likely to result in fatalities than other accidents. The specific circumstances of these collisions often lead to catastrophic outcomes because of high speeds and failure to brake.
Common injuries from a car crash with an intoxicated driver include:
Drunk drivers often travel at high speeds, fail to brake before impact, and cause serious injuries. Wrongful death cases arise when a loved one dies from injuries caused by an intoxicated driver. If you have lost a family member, a Tuscaloosa wrongful death lawyer can help you pursue justice. The pain and suffering from these collisions extends to entire families.
Drunk driving cases involve both criminal and civil proceedings, which creates a complex legal process. Understanding how personal injury claims work is essential for victims seeking compensation. The criminal case punishes the drunk driver through the court system. Your personal injury lawsuit pursues compensation for your financial losses and suffering. These two cases run separately, but evidence from one can support the other.
Building a strong personal injury claim requires solid evidence and experienced legal representation. Our drunk driving accident attorneys gather police reports and blood alcohol test results to prove fault. We obtain witness statements and surveillance footage from nearby businesses to gather evidence. When needed, we hire accident reconstruction experts who testify about the specific circumstances of your collision.
Alabama recognizes the doctrine of negligence per se. This legal principle holds that violating a safety law establishes negligence in personal injury cases. When a driver exceeds the legal BAC limit, they violate traffic laws designed to protect others. This violation helps establish fault and strengthens your claim against the responsible party.
Our Tuscaloosa car accident lawyer team investigates every legal detail of your case. We identify multiple parties who may share liability, including the intoxicated driver, establishments that served alcohol, and other parties involved. This thorough approach helps drunk driving victims recover money for their losses and achieve financial recovery.
Victims of auto accidents caused by impaired drivers can seek compensation for their full range of losses. Alabama law allows injured people to pursue compensation through both economic and non-economic damages. Several factors determine the total value of your personal injury lawsuit.
Economic damages cover your financial losses from the accident:
Alabama allows punitive damages in drunk driving cases to punish reckless conduct. Courts award punitive damages when the defendant's actions show conscious disregard for safety. These damages help victims achieve justice beyond basic compensation.
Understanding Alabama law strengthens your personal injury claim against a drunk driver. Alabama sets the legal BAC limit at 0.08% for non-commercial drivers aged 21 and older. Commercial drivers face a stricter limit of 0.04%, and drivers under 21 cannot have a BAC above 0.02%.
Alabama's Dram Shop Act, found in Alabama Code § 6-5-71, allows victims to sue businesses that knowingly served alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals. If a bar or restaurant served alcohol to the drunk driver who injured you, that establishment may share liability. This means multiple parties can be held accountable for your injuries and losses.
Alabama gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in court, as specified in Alabama Code § 6-2-38. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation from the responsible party. Learn how to file a personal injury lawsuit to protect your rights. You can pursue a civil case regardless of whether the drunk driver faces criminal charges. Your right to fair compensation and a fair settlement exists separately from the criminal justice process.
At Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorney team guides drunk driving victims through every step of the legal process. Our Tuscaloosa personal injury lawyer staff provides personalized attention to each client. We handle car accident cases with the dedication and expertise your situation demands.
We start with a free consultation to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. During this free case review, we listen to your story and discuss the legal details of your situation. You pay nothing upfront because our personal injury lawyer team works on a contingency basis. We only collect attorney fees if we win your case.
Our investigation begins immediately upon your contact with Krebs Law. We gather evidence from the accident scene, obtain police reports, and request medical records. We document your injuries and calculate your medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses. Our accident attorney team handles all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on healing.
If insurance companies refuse to offer a fair settlement, we prepare your case for court. We keep you updated throughout the legal process and answer your questions promptly. Our goal as your Tuscaloosa personal injury attorney is to help you recover money and achieve the maximum compensation you deserve.
Both drunk driving and distracted driving are forms of negligence in car accident cases that cause severe injuries. Understanding the common types of car accidents can help you identify the cause of your collision. Distracted driving includes texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or any activity that takes attention from the road. Both behaviors impair a driver's ability to react to hazards and prevent a collision.
Alcohol affects the brain directly and slows reaction times, while distracted driving diverts attention. However, the result is often the same: a preventable car accident that causes serious injuries or death. Both types of driver error create grounds for a personal injury claim.
Compensation claims for both types of accidents follow similar processes in Alabama. You must prove fault, document your injuries, and demonstrate your financial losses. Both situations require experienced legal representation from a skilled car accident attorney to navigate the claims process and pursue compensation.
| Aspect | Drunk Driving | Distracted Driving |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs | Operating a vehicle while engaged in activities that divert attention from driving |
| Common Causes | Alcohol consumption, drug impairment | Texting, eating, adjusting the radio, using the phone |
| Effect on Driver | Slows reaction times, impairs judgment and coordination | Diverts attention, reduces situational awareness |
| Legal Blood Alcohol Limit | 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and older in Alabama | Not applicable |
| Time of Occurrence | Mostly between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., especially on weekends | Can occur at any time, often during complicated or stressful situations |
| Associated Risks | High-speed collisions, failure to brake, impaired decision-making | Rear-end collisions, lane drifting, and delayed reactions |
| Punitive Damages | Often awarded due to reckless behavior | Less common, usually compensatory damages only |
| Legal Process | Criminal charges plus personal injury claims | Personal injury claims only |
| Insurance Impact | Higher premiums, possible policy cancellation | Increased premiums |
| Potential Liability | Driver, establishments serving alcohol (Dram Shop laws) | Driver only |
This table highlights key differences and similarities between drunk driving and distracted driving to help victims understand the nature of their case and the legal considerations involved.
Call 911 and request police and medical assistance at the accident scene. Document the collision with photos and gather witness information. Seek medical care even if you feel fine, and avoid discussing fault with anyone involved. Contact an accident lawyer promptly to protect your claim.
Yes, criminal and civil cases are separate under Alabama law. You can pursue compensation regardless of criminal outcomes. Drunk driving accidents often cause severe harm needing full legal recourse.
Alabama gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline typically bars you from seeking compensation, so contact a personal injury attorney promptly.
You may recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist coverage for your injuries. Our team can also pursue the driver's personal assets or identify other parties to help you recover financially.
Alabama's Dram Shop Act allows claims against establishments that knowingly served alcohol to someone who was visibly intoxicated. We investigate whether a bar or restaurant shares fault and liability for your injuries.
Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers works on a contingency basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win your case. Our free case review helps you understand your options with no financial risk.
Do not wait to seek legal help after a drunk driving accident with an intoxicated driver. Evidence fades, witnesses forget details, and the statute of limitations creates a strict deadline for your claim. At Krebs Personal Injury Lawyers, we commit ourselves to fighting for drunk driving victims throughout Tuscaloosa and surrounding Alabama communities.
We offer a free consultation and charge no upfront costs for our legal representation. Our law firm provides compassionate support while pursuing justice and fair compensation on your behalf. Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule your free case review. Let our drunk driving accident attorneys help you hold the responsible party accountable and recover the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
J.R. is dedicated to providing personalized representation, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach. He tailors his strategy to the unique challenges and needs of each client and case, ensuring focused and individualized attention.
His practice mainly covers Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, including car and 18-wheeler accidents, slips and falls, dog bites, defective products, and wrongful death. He also handles commercial disputes on contingency, with experience in contracts, construction, and probate. For any dispute headed toward litigation, J.R. develops an aggressive strategy to maximize your recovery through negotiation, arbitration, or trial.
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