Can I sue a drunk driver in Alabama?
If you were in a car accident caused by a drunk driver and are experiencing injuries or emotional trauma or distress, you don’t have to go at it alone. Suing a drunk driver in Alabama is an option for anyone suffering because of someone else’s carelessness. Here’s what you need to know about suing a drunk driver.
What is a Drunk Driver?
First, a drunk driver, or an “alcohol-impaired driver”, is someone who drives an automobile after drinking alcohol. While the amount of alcohol a person has to drink for it to be illegal varies from state to state, one thing’s for sure: Drinking and driving is never a safe choice.
Every day in the United States, 28 people die in crashes caused by drunk drivers. In 2019, drunk driving took the lives of more than ten thousand people. That number doesn’t even include the countless injuries caused by drunk driver car accidents!
What is Considered a Drunk Driver in Alabama?
To be considered a drunk driver in Alabama, a driver has to have a blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, of 0.08% or higher.
Wondering what a 0.08% BAC translates to in terms of alcoholic beverages? One standard alcoholic beverage contains roughly 14 grams of pure alcohol. That’s the amount of alcohol found in one 12-ounce beer, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor.
Four to five drinks is generally an amount you can assume will raise BAC levels to an illegal level for driving. However, because metabolism varies person-to-person, it could take less than that. It’s best to avoid drinking and driving entirely!
What Evidence Do You Need to Win a Court Case
If you’re suing a drunk driver in Alabama, there are a few different pieces of evidence that will be essential to winning.
Some of that evidence will be from observations and documentation made by the arresting officer at the drunk driving incident or crash scene. It’s important to obtain a copy of the police report, which will have information, such as:
- The defendant’s driving behavior at the time of the crash (swerving, weaving, slowing, stopping, etc.)
- Observations as to how the defendant presented themselves at the scene (speech pattern, scent, overall appearance, etc.)
- Data from their field sobriety tests
- Information collected from any blood alcohol testing that was performed
- The officer’s opinion about what happened at the scene
Plus, you will need to provide any of the following as it applies to your situation and injuries:
- Proof of lost wages
- Proof of any lost or damaged property
- Medical expenses caused by the accident
- Proof of emotional damages, or pain and suffering
What to Know Before Filing a Lawsuit
If you were injured or caused pain and suffering by a drunk driver, it’s time to take legal action. In the State of Alabama, you can pursue filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver. Suing a drunk driver in Alabama can lead to compensation for your lost wages, medical expenses, property loss or damage, and emotional damages.
Contact Petro Accident & Injury Attorney’s and Let Us Fight For You
Mark Petro, of Petro Accident & Injury Attorneys, is the go-to guy for drunk driving accident injury victims. If you’ve been injured and are suing a drunk driver in Alabama, Mark will help you get the compensation you deserve. Be smart, and call Mark for a free consultation. Let us fight for you!
Request a FREE copy of Mark’s book, The Truth About Injury Claims here.
