It is becoming more and more difficult for you to make ends meet after the drunk driving accident. Between your ongoing medical expenses, having to take time off work, and the extreme emotional toll of the wreck, it has been impossible for you to get back to your life. With help from a compassionate and highly motivated Mesquite drunk driving accident lawyer with H&P Law, you can demand justice.
For over six decades, our firm has dedicated our careers to protecting injury victims and accident survivors across Nevada. Having successfully recovered multimillion-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for our clients, you can feel empowered with our leading Mesquite car accident lawyer working for you.
Contact our team to request a free consultation today and learn more about ways to hold the drunk driver accountable and what to expect from your insurance and civil claims.
Exploring Liability for Drunk Driving Accidents Across Mesquite
One of the first things your Mesquite personal injury lawyer will need to do is open an investigation into the cause of your collision. We may not initially know what caused the accident until the other involved driver’s toxicology screenings come back. In the meantime, we will need to hire accident reconstructionists, preserve evidence obtained at the accident scene, and start to build your case against whoever is going to be found liable.
In drunk driving accident cases, the driver who hit you will almost always be found liable for the injuries you suffered. All motorists are assumed to understand the risks of drunk driving and have an obligation to the safety and well-being of others on the roadways. When a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and operates a vehicle anyway, this demonstrates a blatant disregard for the safety or well-being of themselves and others on the roads.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, other parties could share liability for your damages as well. For example, if the road conditions where the accident occurred were especially dangerous and government officials failed to make necessary repairs, both the Nevada Department of Transportation and the driver who hit you could share liability for your losses. We will know more about who should be sued for your damages after completing our investigation.
You Should Be Fully Compensated for Your Damages
Working with a dedicated Mesquite drunk driving accident attorney from H&P Law gives you an opportunity to maximize your financial compensation. You should be fully reimbursed for every single way your life has been and is expected to continue to be affected by the injuries you suffered.
This should include a variety of compensatory damages and the potential for punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses you have experienced. These are a little bit easier to evaluate, as we can review your bank records, financial statements, repair quotes, and other documents to establish the value of your economic damages.
Some examples of economic damages that could be paid out in a drunk driving accident claim include:
- Vehicle repair expenses
- Medical bills
- Future healthcare costs
- Insurance premium increases
- The diminished value of your vehicle
- Other personal property damages
- Rental car costs
- Increased insurance premiums
- Loss of household services
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages can be a little more difficult to evaluate. They are intangible, and every person’s life is affected differently. Examples of non-economic damages that could be awarded in drunk driving accident lawsuits include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Permanent disability
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may also be more likely in drunk driving accident lawsuits. As described under NRS § 42.010, punitive damages cannot be awarded frivolously. Instead, they typically only apply if the defendant’s conduct could be declared “oppressive, malicious, or fraudulent.”
If the driver who hit you, for example, has a prior history of DUI convictions, the court system might take steps to punish the drunk driver beyond your compensatory relief. Punitive damages are not only designed to punish the liable party. They are also imposed to send a message to the community that similar conduct will be taken seriously by the Nevada civil courts.
Exhaust Every Opportunity for Legal Recourse
One of the benefits of working with a knowledgeable Mesquite drunk driving accident lawyer is the ability to exhaust every opportunity for legal recourse. It may surprise you to learn that there are other ways of recovering compensation for your damages that do not involve going to trial. Typically, depending on the type of accident you were involved in, we would actually begin by filing a claim with the insurance company.
Since Nevada follows fault-based insurance laws as described under NRS § 485.185, we usually initiate a claim against the liable party’s auto insurance policy. The insurer may attempt to avoid liability by claiming the policy is void if the driver is intoxicated. However, we will be sure to carefully examine the drunk driver’s auto insurance policy to determine whether the insurance company can avoid financial liability.
Even if you can secure a settlement through the insurance company, it may be ill-equipped to meet your needs fully. This occurs more often than you might think. Thankfully, if the liable party is uninsured or underinsured, filing a personal injury lawsuit is another way to ensure you can get justice and the fair compensation you deserve.
Connect With a Respected Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Mesquite for Help Today
The injuries you suffered in the drunk driving accident may have a dramatic effect on your life for years to come. While you may be able to recuperate from your physical injuries, the emotional trauma is something you may need to cope with for the foreseeable future. The at-fault party should be expected to compensate you fairly so you can begin to pick up the pieces of your life.
Getting help from a dedicated drunk driving accident attorney in Mesquite from H&P Law could be one of the best decisions you can make for your case. Put our commitment and resources to work for you during some of the most difficult times in your life. Fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation as soon as today.
