Driving drunk is illegal, reckless, and irresponsible, and everybody knows it. Yet people still get behind the wheel while they are impaired and injure other people.
People hurt in drunk driving car accidents in Reno can sue the driver, and sometimes others, seeking compensation for their injuries. Surviving family members can seek financial recovery from the driver and other parties with responsibility for their loved one’s death. Contact the dedicated car crash attorneys at Shook & Stone to find out how you can hold a drunk driver accountable for their actions.
Seeking Justice in Civil Court
When a drunk driver gets into an accident that causes injuries or death, they usually face criminal charges. The penalties can be substantial and include fines, community service, a suspended license, and even jail time. These measures punish the driver, but when you suffer losses in a drunk driving accident, they do nothing to help you and your family.
When a Shook & Stone attorney brings a suit in civil court, they seek financial compensation for the driver’s actions and their impact. You could receive a comprehensive damage award that includes:
- Property damage
- Diminished earning capacity
- Income lost due to the accident
- Anticipated future accident-related healthcare costs
- Costs of renovating a home to accommodate a walker or wheelchair
- Mental health care to deal with the effects of trauma and adapting to disability, if necessary
- Incidental expenses like mileage, parking for medical appointments, and hiring someone to do the chores the injured person cannot do because of the injury
- All medical expenses, including rehabilitation, occupational and physical therapy, prosthetics and other durable medical equipment, and at-home care if necessary
You are also entitled to seek reimbursement for your physical pain, mental suffering, disability, disfigurement, lost enjoyment of life, and the accident’s other subjective impacts. However, you must prove your damages. You and your family should document your economic losses through receipts, invoices, health insurance statements, employment records, and tax returns. Non-economic damages are more challenging to prove, but the Reno drunk driving car wreck attorneys at Shook & Stone are adept at compiling testimony, photographs, video, and other evidence demonstrating the impact the injuries had on your quality of life.
Punitive Damages Are Available in Drunk Driving Accidents
Nevada Revised Statutes § 42.010 allows someone injured in a drunk driving auto accident in Reno to seek punitive damages. Punitive damages are additional money the court requires a wrongdoer to pay when their actions were especially outrageous. In a drunk driving collision case, punitive damages are an extra financial penalty for the driver. You receive the additional money—or, when an accident is fatal, the deceased victim’s family gets the punitive damages.
The law in this state limits punitive damages in many cases, tying them to the value of the compensatory damages the injured person received. However, when a drunk driver causes injuries or death, the law does not put a limit on punitive damages. A skilled Shook & Stone attorney could persuade a jury that this additional award is appropriate in a specific case.
Seek Legal Advice as Quickly as Possible
The law in Nevada allows an injured person two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. If you speak with a lawyer at Shook & Stone soon after your accident, you allow them plenty of time to build a robust case for compensation.
Seeking legal representation immediately has several other benefits. Importantly, once you retain legal counsel, the insurance company and other people representing the driver cannot contact you directly—they must go through your attorney. This is important because insurance company representatives often take advantage of injured people by tricking them into claiming some responsibility for the accident or pressuring them to accept a quick settlement for much less than they deserve.
When you hire an attorney soon after a drunk driving accident, they can help in various other ways. They could arrange a hospital lien if you are having trouble paying medical bills, and they can recommend specialists and other services you might need during your recovery. Our committed team of legal professionals at Shook & Stone can be a source of support throughout the entire process.
Make a Drunk Driver Pay With the Help of a Reno Car Crash Attorney
Nobody has to drive drunk. Drinking when you plan to drive and getting behind the wheel after you have been drinking are willful acts. When someone gets hurt, the drunk driver must pay.
Our seasoned attorneys at Shook & Stone have significant experience representing the victims of drunk driving accidents in Reno, and their survivors. Call today to discuss your situation with a caring attorney.
