Drunk driving accidents are among the most tragic and harmful collisions that occur on Memphis roads. Not only do they cause substantial harm to victims, but these wrecks are almost always preventable. Without a doubt, Tennessee accident victims deserve justice and accountability after being hit by a drunk driver.
At Mama Justice – MW Law Firm, we provide dedicated legal representation to people recovering from the aftermath of a DUI crash. You deserve maximum financial compensation for all you’ve been through. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a drunk driving accident lawyer in Memphis.
Why Hiring Our Memphis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Matters
After getting hurt in a drunk driving collision, victims want answers. They want to know how to hold the intoxicated driver accountable. They want to learn the path to compensation. Many times, they want assistance with filing a claim after a DUI accident. Mama Justice can provide these answers and more.
After a drunk driving crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. However, insurance companies may pressure you to settle quickly — and often for far less than your claim is worth.
This is where Mama Justice steps in. Our Memphis car accident attorneys focus on building comprehensive cases demanding compensation for the full scope of your losses. We stand firm if insurers try to minimize your injuries or shift blame. We negotiate aggressively and aren’t afraid to take your case to court if that’s what it takes to stick up for your rights.
Our firm pairs this bold, gritty legal representation with compassionate client care. Our services include support from a dedicated medical management team that works to create a personalized healing plan, including referrals to medical specialists, mental health professionals, and rehabilitation services as needed. You can prioritize healing after a drunk driver injures you. Let us handle the legal process and fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Understanding Drunk Driving Accident Cases in Memphis
Drunk driving wrecks often occur late at night or on weekends in Memphis, especially near entertainment areas like Beale Street and Overton Square, or on major highways. These collisions tend to cause severe injuries because intoxicated drivers are more likely to speed, engage in dangerous behaviors, run red lights, or drift into oncoming traffic. Car accident victims may suffer catastrophic injuries and face months or years of ongoing medical treatment and caregiving.
To seek compensation, accident victims typically start by filing an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company. A drunk driving accident attorney can assist by gathering detailed evidence to support your car accident case and digging into whether there are other potentially liable parties.
The next step is learning whether the insurance company accepts your claim. If they dismiss it or make a low counteroffer, an experienced Memphis lawyer can enter into settlement negotiations to push for a fairer outcome. If the insurer refuses to cooperate, an attorney can discuss the possibility of filing a car accident lawsuit to fight for a more favorable result at trial.
What Tennessee Law Says About DUI Car Wrecks
Tennessee law treats driving under the influence (DUI) as a serious criminal offense. A driver is considered legally impaired if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher.
Some exceptions apply. For commercial drivers, the limit is cut in half to 0.04 percent. For drivers under 21, any measurable amount of alcohol can trigger penalties. The criminal consequences of a DUI increase when drunk drivers cause accidents and injure others.
While criminal charges may lead to fines, jail time, or license suspension, they do not address the harm crash victims experience as a result of a collision. However, evidence from the DUI arrest can strengthen a personal injury claim. Mama Justice may use evidence from the arrest, such as breathalyzer results or police bodycam footage, to support your personal injury case.
Tennessee courts also allow punitive damages in DUI cases where the driver’s conduct was especially reckless. Filing a claim after a DUI accident gives your lawyer a useful tool to pursue a meaningful financial recovery.
Establishing Liability in a Memphis Drunk Driving Accident Claim
Establishing liability means proving who was legally responsible for causing the crash. In drunk driving cases, this typically involves showing that the other driver was impaired and that their intoxication directly led to the collision.
To build a solid case for compensation, a drunk driving accident lawyer can collect critical evidence linking the driver’s actions to your injuries, such as:
- Police reports
- BAC test results
- Field sobriety test results
- Crash scene photos
- Eyewitness accounts
- Surveillance footage
- Expert analysis
Does Tennessee Have Dram Shop Liability Laws?
Tennessee has a limited dram shop law that allows victims to hold bars or restaurants liable if they served alcohol to a minor or someone who was visibly intoxicated and that person later caused injury or death in a DUI accident. To succeed, you must prove that the sale of alcohol was a direct cause of the car crash, making these cases highly fact-specific and time-sensitive.
Damages You Can Recover After a DUI Crash
Your DUI accident compensation should encompass the full scope of the injuries, expenses, and personal losses you suffered. Common types of damages recovered in Memphis drunk driving injury cases include:
- Past, ongoing, and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost quality and enjoyment of life
Note: The at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to settle quickly after a crash — a tactic designed to get you to accept a payout before you fully understand the true cost of the DUI accident. Don’t fall for it. The long-term impact of serious injuries isn’t always immediately apparent. For instance, victims with spinal cord injuries may not know the extent of their recovery for months. If you settle too soon and for too little, you could be left covering future medical expenses and other losses out of your own pocket.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in Memphis
What you’re able to do at the accident scene will depend on the circumstances and the severity of your injuries. If possible, you should:
- Call 911.
- Take photos of the crash scene, including the vehicles involved, the surrounding area, and any visible indicators of the other driver’s intoxication, such as open liquor containers in their car.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Seek medical attention if you didn’t need emergency treatment.
- Keep copies of your medical records and expenses.
- Decline speaking with the insurance company until you have consulted an attorney.
- Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer in Memphis.
Contact Mama Justice Today for Your Free Consultation
It’s often difficult to know what steps to take after a collision with a drunk driver, especially when you’re dealing with medical bills, lost income, and the challenges of physical recovery. Let Mama Justice, the fastest-growing female-owned law firm in the U.S., provide the legal support you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Memphis drunk driving accident lawyer and see why we’ve earned over 400 five-star reviews from satisfied clients.