Why Choose Our Drunk Driving Lawyer in Lafayette?
Our drunk driving attorneys at Anderson Blanda & Saltzman have represented more than 10,000 plaintiffs, helping them to get justice, and we’ve been recognized for our efforts by being named among The Best Lawyers in America and among the nation’s Top 100 Trial Attorneys.
We will bring our experience and compassion to your case as you cope with the aftermath of a DUI accident. Give us a call today at (337) 233-3366 to speak with a Lafayette auto accident lawyer who can work with you to get the money you deserve in these tragic situations.
Drunk driving is one of the most dangerous things a motorist could do on the road. In fact, a shocking 29% of all motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana involved alcohol in 2023, according to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. The Commission also reported that 221 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in 2023.
When a drunk or drugged driver causes you harm or causes the death of your loved one, you have a right to take legal action to get compensation for your losses. Anderson Blanda & Saltzman will help you to pursue your case.
Who is Responsible for a Drunk Driving Accident in Lafayette?
In Louisiana, fault laws allow victims of car crashes to pursue claims against drivers who hurt them. This is true after any auto accident, unlike in some states that follow no-fault rules and limit the circumstances when a car accident lawsuit can be filed.
Louisiana law allows a crash victim to hold another driver accountable if the crash resulted from both negligence and intentional wrongdoing. Louisiana Civil Code Article 2316 is the statute that makes negligence legally actionable, stating that “every person is responsible for the damage he occasions not merely by his act, but by his negligence, his imprudence, or his want of skill.”
When a drunk driver causes a crash, usually that driver’s actions are considered negligent. You can prove negligence by showing a hypothetical reasonable driver would have been more careful. The legal doctrine of negligence per se also allows you to prove negligence by showing a violation of a safety rule.
In Louisiana, drunk driving is illegal. Louisiana prohibits operating a vehicle while impaired in Section 98 under Driving Offenses.
According to the relevant law, ” The crime of operating a vehicle while impaired is the operating of any motor vehicle, aircraft, watercraft, vessel, or other means of conveyance when… the operator is impaired by alcoholic beverages; the operator’s blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent.. [or] the operator is impaired by any other drug, combination of drugs, or combination of alcohol and drugs.”
If you can show the other driver was drunk, this is typically sufficient to demonstrate that they were unreasonably negligent and in violation of their general duty to keep you safe while sharing the road. As a result, if you can prove their impairment caused the accident, you can recover compensation from the impaired driver for your losses.
How a Lafayette Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Can Help You
A Lafayette DUI accident attorney can offer invaluable assistance in drunk driving accident cases.
When handling impaired driver cases, our attorneys often retain an expert (usually a toxicologist) to assess the positive test results of the impaired driver and give their opinion on the effect of the intoxicating substance on the driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. This helps us build the strongest case possible in pursuit of recovering damages for you.
We can also assist in gathering evidence including:
- Police report from the crash scene
- Witness testimony from those who saw the crash
- Photos and videos from the collision scene
- Medical records to show the extent of your loss
Beyond just gathering evidence, our legal team will also negotiate a settlement on your behalf with the insurer who represents the drunk driver or will fight in court to get you full and fair compensation.
Many DUI accident cases settle, especially if insurers are willing to accept fault because they know the driver was drunk and they worry about the damages the court could award because of it. However, you don’t want to accept a settlement that leaves money on the table. You should have a skilled attorney negotiating on your behalf to advise you whether to accept a settlement or go to court to fight for more money.
Common Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving accidents often cause more serious injuries because the impaired driver doesn’t react normally to avert the accident or lessen its impact. The driver might not swerve, for example, or might not slam on the brakes or slow down in the moments leading up to the crash.
While many types of injuries can occur in DUI accident cases, here are some of the most common types of harm crash victims endure in these serious accidents:
- Broken bones
- Cuts or lacerations
- Head trauma
- Concussion/brain injury
- Spine injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Internal organ injuries
Whatever the damage, if you or someone you love is hurt or killed, you should be entitled to collect compensation for payment of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Call The Lafayette Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys at Anderson Blanda & Saltzman Today
At Anderson Blanda & Saltzman, our Lafayette drunk driving lawyers are skilled negotiators but are also experienced trial lawyers ready to fight for you and prove your case. Our mission is to help you get justice and we don’t collect legal fees unless we win your case.
To learn more about how we can help you, give us a call today at (337) 233-3366 to schedule a free consultation with a Lafayette personal injury attorney. From day one, we’ll work hard to get you the money you deserve after a drunk driver changes your life.