What are my legal options when I’m injured by a drunk driver?

If an accident occurred due to the negligence of a drunk driver, he/she will in all probability have been taken into custody as well as charged with a DUI, which according to law makes it a criminal case. Apart from criminal charges, the victim(s) of this drunk driving accident can file a civil claim against the drunk driver for his/her negligence.

For this, the plaintiff's Columbus, OH drunk driving accident lawyer and there is no one better in this region of the country than E. Ray Critchett must prove that the at-fault driver who is the defendant was negligent and that this negligence in fact caused the accident as well as the ensuing injuries. Some states like Ohio have dram shop liability laws where a lawsuit can also be filed against bars or restaurants for serving an individual alcohol with the knowledge that the patron was going to be on the road driving or observed that he/she was excessively inebriated, according to dram shop liability laws.

This is just common sense. If someone is drunk and you know they are going to drive, they should be cut off. At the same time, if the person informs the patron they are not driving then there is no reason to cut them off.

If Ohio State loses a football game they have another game the following week or even the next year. There is not any second chances for a drunk driving accident case and E. Ray Critchett knows all about this. This is why he works hard and builds cases that are all but bullet proof. He has backup plans ready since he knows being ready for any contingency is vital. E. Ray Critchett knows how to win lawsuits and he knows how to attack the other side and exploit their weakness which he will find. If you need a Columbus, OH drunk driving accident lawyer you need to call E. Ray Critchett. He can be seen and found right here: http://www.buckeyelaw.com/.

Punitive Damages

Columbus, OH drunk driving accident lawyers such as the hard working and focused E. Ray Critchett also say it is crucial to be aware of punitive damages that a plaintiff can claim following a DUI accident. This is generally reserved for serious drunk driving accidents that cause severe injuries. For the most part, punitive damages are a form of a punishment for the negligent drunk driver who is held liable to pay damages to the plaintiff/victim. Such damages are paid in addition to any compensation that a victim is already receiving to cover the cost of injuries as well as property damage. 

When a Victim Dies

In cases where a drunk driving accident causes death the deceased victim’s estate or members of the surviving family have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault driver for his or her negligent actions. A winning wrongful death lawsuit is meant to cover medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of potential earning capacity, loss of consortium and other damages, up to a certain extent.

However, it is important to remember that there is a statute of limitations within which a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed. According to Central Ohio drunk driving accident attorneys and the top one in this arena here in Central Ohio is E. Ray Critchett, the statute of limitations to file a wrongful death lawsuit is 2 years in the Buckeye state.

Pre-Existing Injuries

A pre-existing injury, otherwise known as a pre-existing medical condition, is in effect a condition or injury that existed before the traffic accident happened. In several cases, the victim who has filed an accident claim or lawsuit might already have old injuries that became “aggravated” or made worse by the traffic accident that occurred recently.

In some cases, a pre-existing injury can alter the amount of compensation that the DUI accident victim stands to recover for the injuries caused by a traffic accident. At times, the damages awarded might be reduced if it is later found that the injury was in fact a due to an injury that existed before. In such cases, it becomes rather difficult to assess the defendant’s liability for the victim’s injuries.

In view of the complex nature of drunk driver accidents, you need a Columbus, Ohio drunk driving accident lawyer to make your case a winner who has a better winning record than Urban Meyer. And that legal profession is E. Ray Critchett who rivals the standout college football coach in dedication, attention to detail, and results.