Every year, thousands of motor vehicle accidents in Alabama involve impaired drivers. When a drunk or drugged driver causes an accident, anyone hurt in the collision has the right to hold that driver accountable for their recklessness. If an intoxicated driver has injured you in Alabama, an experienced DUI accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Attorney David Bence is a fierce advocate for people injured in Phenix City and the surrounding Alabama communities. To learn more about how we can help, contact Bence Law Firm, LLC for a free consultation.
ALABAMA DUI CAR ACCIDENT LAW
In Alabama, a driver is generally considered to be driving under the influence if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. Drivers under the age of 21 may not have a BAC of 0.02 or greater. A conviction for DUI can result in life-altering penalties, including jail time, fines, and the loss of driving privileges.
When an intoxicated driver causes an accident that harms another, they could also face felony criminal charges. They can be charged with first-degree assault, a Class B felony that can carry a sentence of two to 20 years in prison.
If a person dies in a DUI car accident, the intoxicated driver may be charged with criminally negligent homicide, a Class C felony that carries a sentence of anywhere from 366 days to 10 years in prison.
DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT STATISTICS IN ALABAMA
According to the most current statistics from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), more than 5,500 accidents in a recent year involved drivers suspected of being impaired by alcohol or drugs. These collisions resulted in 210 fatalities. ALDOT numbers show that 3.3 percent of accidents involving a driver suspected of alcohol or drug impairment resulted in a fatality.
Most DUI accidents occur between 5 p.m. and 6 a.m., peaking during the early morning hours. Nearly half of all impaired-driver accidents in Alabama occur on Saturday and Sunday.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A DRUNK DRIVER
If you are involved in a crash with an intoxicated driver, take the following steps to protect your rights and interests:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan to show that you take your injuries and your recovery seriously.
- Keep records of your accident-related bills, invoices, receipts, and pay stubs.
- Avoid talking about the accident with family or friends or on social media.
- Contact an Alabama DUI accident lawyer to go over your legal options.
GET HELP FROM AN ALABAMA DUI ACCIDENT LAWYER
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by a drunk driver in Alabama, you deserve justice. Let Attorney David Bence and Bence Law Firm, LLC fight for you. Call or contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.