In a post earlier this year, we discussed the alarming number of deaths caused by drunk driving in Louisiana and in Lafayette Parish. Drunk driving is a serious problem in our state. In addition to those who are killed, many others suffer serious injury in drunk driving accidents.
When a drunk driver causes a car accident that results in serious injury or death, they will face serious consequences in the criminal justice system. Charges of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault can result in lengthy prison sentences.
Those who were injured or had a loved one killed can seek monetary compensation from the drunk driver and his or her insurance company. In a personal injury case, the victim can recover damages for lost wages, medical expenses and pain, suffering and disfigurement.
In a wrongful death case, the surviving family members can claim compensation for loss of support and loss of care, comfort and companionship.
It is important to remember, however, that to recover damages, it is not enough to prove the other driver was drunk. The victim must prove that the other driver did some negligent act which caused the accident. This is not always a simple task, and attorneys for the drunk driver’s insurance company often try to argue that the victim was at fault in the crash.
At the Gaar Law Firm in Lafayette, we are familiar with the strategies used by insurance companies and their lawyers to deny or minimize claims. We also understand how to beat those strategies in court, as shown by our track record of successful jury verdicts.