Memphis Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Who is Responsible for Drunk Driving Accidents?

Drunk drivers are responsible for their behavior, including choosing to drive their vehicles after consuming alcohol. However, other people may also be responsible for drunk driving accidents. The people that can be held liable for a drunk driving accident include:

• Driver: Drunk drivers have a choice. They can choose to drive after having too much to drink, and they can also choose not to drive. Either way, they are responsible for their actions and must live with the consequences.
• Host: Hosts serving alcohol to an intoxicated individual may be liable under the social host liability law if that guest causes a car accident.
• Bar and Restaurant Owners: It is the responsibility of bar and restaurant owners and employees to stop serving alcohol to patrons that appear to be intoxicated. They may be held liable for any injuries caused by drunk drivers who leave their establishment.

Most Common Types of DUI Accidents in Memphis

Drunk drivers cause thousands of preventable accidents every year. Some common types of accidents caused by drunk drivers in Memphis include:

• Head-On Collisions: Some head-on collisions result from drowsy or distracted drunk drivers who branch off the road and hit oncoming traffic.
• Rear-End Collisions: A drunk driver may be unable to react quickly enough when another driver slows or stops in front of them. This can lead to rear-end collisions.
• Wrong-Way Accidents: A wrong-way accident is a collision on a road or highway which occurs when one vehicle traveling in the wrong direction collides with another vehicle traveling in the correct direction.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Drivers who have been drinking are at a much greater risk of being involved in a crash with a pedestrian. A driver with impaired vision may not see a pedestrian, particularly at night.
• Jackknife Accidents: Jackknife accidents are one of the greatest dangers of truck driving. The trailer swings around and strikes nearby vehicles or sometimes pedestrians.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents take place when cars flip over. They are a serious hazard to both passengers and any motorist, pedestrian, or driver in the area.
• Drowsy Driving Accident: Drowsiness is a side effect associated with the consumption of alcohol. Drowsy driving accidents often result in severe injuries or even death.
• One-Vehicle Accidents: One-vehicle accidents are a common occurrence, especially among drunk drivers.
• Unsafe Passing: Drunk drivers pass on two-lane roads at their own peril. Drunk drivers are bad at judging the speeds of the cars they’re passing, so they’re likely to misjudge the time needed and speed required.

Who Can You File a Dram Shop Claim Against in Memphis?

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a major safety hazard. In Memphis, TN, dram shop laws hold business owners responsible for injuries that are caused by their intoxicated customers.

By law, any person injured by an intoxicated person is entitled to seek compensation for the damages. By bringing a dram shop claim, a claimant can be compensated for injuries caused by the intoxicated driver. Our Memphis drunk driving attorneys can help guide the injured person through the process of filing a dram shop claim.

Injuries That Occur During Drunk Driving Accidents

Thousands of people have lost their lives, while over 10,000 people suffer from various injuries ranging from mild to severe as a result of drunk driving accidents in Memphis.

Common injuries that people in Memphis suffer during drunk driving accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A traumatic brain injury can be devastating and life-altering. These injuries are costly to treat and manage.
• Broken Bones: Broken bones can lead to lifelong pain. Expensive surgeries often do little to correct this type of injury, leaving victims with long-term problems.
• Spinal Cord Injury: A spinal cord injury can lead to permanent paralysis or partial paralysis. It can also cause nerve damage and pain.
• Internal Injuries: Internal injuries are serious, in some cases even deadly. Immediate medical attention and surgery are often required for internal injuries.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: A torn ligament, tendon, or muscle around the shoulder, back, or neck can cause pain and limit a person’s range of motion.
• Burns: When cars collide, sometimes the vehicles explode and catch fire. A victim could suffer serious burns resulting in permanent disfigurement and scarring, infections, and psychological trauma.
• Psychological injuries: Being the victim of a drunk driving accident can cause long-term emotional, mental, and physical issues for survivors.

What Should You Do After Being Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident?

Drunk driving is a serious crime that harms people every day. If you’ve been in a car accident with a driver who may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs, here’s what you should do:

• Contact the Police: An official police report on the incident can be used to build your case.
• Seek Medical Attention: Get treatment for your injuries at once. Your medical records will be an important form of legal documentation.
• Take Pictures of the Accident Scene: Take concrete steps right now to protect your rights. Take photos of the vehicles, your injuries, and anything else to help show what happened at the scene.
• Do not Give Insurance Companies any Sensitive Information: The adjuster may seem caring and concerned. However, the adjuster must act in the best interests of the insurance company at all times. Anything you say to an insurance adjuster can be used against you in a court of law.
• Contact an Experienced Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer: Whenever you’re involved in a drunk driving crash, you need to retain the services of a Memphis drunk driving accident lawyer working at Mama Justice to handle your personal injury case and ensure you get justice.