Drunk Driver Accidents

Manchester Attorneys Assisting Parties Injured in Drunk Driving Accidents

Most people are aware of the dangers of driving while intoxicated, but drunk driving accidents nonetheless occur frequently throughout New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Drunk driving accidents often occur at a high rate of speed, causing catastrophic injuries or death, and the parties that cause them should be held accountable. If you were injured in a drunk driving accident, it is crucial to retain an assertive personal injury attorney adept at recovering damages in personal injury lawsuits to provide you with a strong chance of a successful outcome. The skilled Manchester personal injury attorneys of Stephen Law Group have the experience and knowledge needed to prove the liability of the parties that caused your harm, and if you hire us, we can help you pursue any damages you may be owed under the law. We regularly assist people injured in drunk driving accidents in lawsuits in Manchester as well as in other cities in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.

New Hampshire and Massachusetts Laws

In both New Hampshire and Massachusetts, drunk driving laws are stringent, aiming to prevent accidents and safeguard public safety. In New Hampshire, it is illegal for anyone to drive or control a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher or while under the influence of alcohol. Similarly, Massachusetts law prohibits operating under the influence, with similar BAC limits.

Pursuing Claims for Injuries Caused by Drunk Driving Accidents

In most New Hampshire and Massachusetts lawsuits arising out of drunk driving accidents and car accident cases, the plaintiff will claim that the defendant is liable under a theory of negligence. In general, to hold a defendant liable under a negligence claim, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to conform to a certain standard of conduct and that the defendant breached the duty. The injured party must also show that the breach was the cause of their alleged harm and that they suffered actual injuries.

Drunk driving lawsuits differ from other car accident cases in that in addition to pursuing claims against the driver who caused the accident, the injured party may also be able to pursue claims against the bar or restaurant that sold the defendant driver alcohol. In New Hampshire, liability can be imposed on a commercial seller of alcoholic beverages for recklessly serving alcohol or negligently serving alcohol to a person who is intoxicated. Similarly, in Massachusetts, liquor licensees can be held liable for selling or delivering an intoxicated person alcohol if the person subsequently causes a crash.

Damages Recoverable in Cases Arising Out of Drunk Driving Accidents

In a drunk driving accident lawsuit, various damages may be awarded to compensate the victim for the harm they have suffered. These damages typically fall into two categories: economic and non-economic. Economic damages aim to cover quantifiable financial losses incurred as a direct result of the accident, such as medical expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment costs. Additionally, lost wages or income resulting from the victim’s inability to work due to injuries sustained in the accident may also be recoverable. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more subjective and aim to compensate for intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages seek to address the physical and emotional toll the accident has taken on the victim, providing compensation for their pain and hardship.

Engage a Skilled New Hampshire Personal Injury Attorney

Drunk driving accidents can cause significant and lasting harm, and they are almost always caused by the negligence of one or more parties. If you sustained injuries in a drunk driving accident, you should engage a skilled attorney to assist you in pursuing compensation for your losses. The skilled Manchester personal injury attorneys of Stephen Law Group are adept at handling the complexities of cases arising out of drunk driving accidents, and if you hire us, we will aggressively advocate on your behalf to help you seek any damages you may be owed. We frequently represent people hurt in drunk driving accidents in lawsuits in Manchester and in other cities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We serve our clients out of our many offices, which are located in Manchester and Concord, New Hampshire; Methuen and North Andover, Massachusetts; and Saco, Maine. You can contact us through our online form or at 877-663-1007 to arrange a meeting.