Mt Holly Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Mt Holly, NC

North Carolina takes drunk driving seriously, especially when it causes an accident. After a crash caused by a drunk driver, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. A skilled Mt. Holly drunk driving accident lawyer can help you build a personalized legal strategy that pursues a full recovery from your damages.

Roberts Law Firm, P.A.: Experienced Car Accident Lawyers

With over 40 years of experience, the attorneys at Roberts Law Firm, P.A., are knowledgeable about North Carolina’s drunk driving accident laws. The last thing you want to do when recovering from a car accident is to worry about your legal case. Our team can analyze the specific North Carolina car accident laws that apply to your case while you focus on your physical recovery.

Drunk Driving Accidents in Mt. Holly

Despite strict drunk driving accident laws outlawing driving while impaired, many drivers still choose to drink and drive. A drunk driving accident can happen anywhere, but alcohol related traffic stops and crashes are common around I-85 exits, S. New Hope Road, and Armstrong Road.

Drunk driving increases the risk of an accident through effects such as delayed reaction times, difficulty concentrating, and reduced coordination. These effects may make it easy to identify a drunk driver, such as when they are drifting between lanes, but it may not be obvious in other crashes. A Mt. Holly drunk driving accident lawyer can help prove whether the at-fault driver was intoxicated by gathering evidence from the police. This is especially important in drunk driving accidents in North Carolina where a driver’s impairment led directly to your injuries.

Drunk Driving Statistics: Understanding the Impact

Millions of Americans are impacted by drunk driving. Some key statistics that highlight the impact drunk driving can have on a community are:

• In 2024, there were 361 fatalities and 7,227 injuries due to alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina.
• 15.5 million people ages 16 and older report driving under the influence of alcohol in the past year.
• Nationally, 12,429 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2023.

How Drunk Driving Accident Claims Work in North Carolina

North Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents, meaning a claim can be filed directly against the driver whose negligence caused the accident. Because drinking and driving is severely negligent, it almost always leaves the drunk driver liable for your damages. An attorney can also help you understand the average car accident settlement in North Carolina to ensure your claim is valued fairly.

It is not assumed who is at fault for an accident; you must prove this through evidence. A Mt. Holly drunk driving accident attorney can help you establish the drunk driver’s liability by including evidence from the accident in your claim. Evidence can include:

• Photos and videos of the accident and damage
• Police records
• Witness testimonies
• Dashcam and surveillance camera footage
• Medical bills and records
• Pay stubs
• Repair invoices

When filing a claim against a drunk driver, their insurance company is responsible for covering your compensation. If the drunk driver is uninsured, your lawyer can explain alternative ways to recover compensation, such as filing through your own uninsured motorist coverage. North Carolina requires drivers to carry a minimum coverage of:

• $50,000 per person for bodily injury
• $100,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $25,000 for property damage

Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident

Each accident involves unique damages. A Mt. Holly drunk driving accident attorney can gather evidence of all your damages and include a comprehensive list in your claim, helping you receive compensation that covers all losses you have suffered.

The physical injuries are often the most severe damage after a car crash. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, and soft tissue injuries that may take months or years to heal. While filing a claim can’t bring physical recovery, it can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and physical pain and suffering.

Compensation can also reflect your mental and emotional damages, such as a lowered quality of life or emotional distress. These damages may be difficult to prove, but a lawyer can help by presenting evidence, such as medical professional testimonies, witness testimonies, and personal journals.

FAQs

What Compensation Can You Recover if a Loved One Was Killed by Drunk Driving?

If a drunk driver killed your loved one, there are several damages you can recover by filing a claim. This could include final healthcare expenses, loss of financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and mental anguish. A Mt. Holly drunk driving accident attorney can explain what losses a claim can recover in your case.

Can You File a Claim if You Are Partially at Fault for a Drunk Driving Accident?

No, even if another drunk driver was mostly at fault, you are unable to file a claim if you have partial fault. North Carolina has a strict contributory negligence system, meaning you can’t file a claim if you have any fault for an accident. If you hire a drunk driving accident lawyer, they can explain your rights and identify if there is an exception, such as if the drunk driver had the last clear chance to avoid a crash.

Can You Receive Punitive Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident Case?

Yes, you can receive punitive damages after a drunk driving accident. These damages are included in your compensation to punish the drunk driver, rather than to compensate you for a specific damage you have suffered. Punitive damages are only available if the at-fault driver was extremely negligent. Since drinking and driving is an especially negligent behavior, many of these cases involve punitive damages.

Why Should You Hire a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer?

Filing a claim against a drunk driver is legally complex. A Mt. Holly drunk driving accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process while building a claim that pushes for a full recovery. A lawyer has the knowledge of drunk driving accident laws needed to meet all claim requirements and deadlines, reducing your stress over filing an accurate claim. When pursuing compensation, a lawyer can prove your damages with evidence and negotiate for a fair award.

Learn How a Mt. Holly Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help

From physical injuries to emotional distress, a drunk driving accident case can be difficult to move forward from. Contact Roberts Law Firm, P.A., to learn how we can build a claim that supports your recovery after a crash.

Mt. Holly, NC Drunk Driving Accident Resources

• North Carolina Car Accident Statute of Limitations
• What to Do After Being Hit by a Drunk Driver in NC