Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of accidents and roadway deaths every year. These drivers pose a serious threat to others on the road. If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you will likely be able to recover compensation, including punitive damages.
If you require a drunk driving accident lawyer in Union City, the team at the Morelli Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation, and we will walk you through how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Do I Need a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney?
While you can technically represent yourself when attempting to recover compensation after an accident, it is typically better to leave it to the experts. Not only are you likely to recover more money by hiring a lawyer, but you can also avoid all the stress involved in pursuing a legal case, which can let you focus on healing.
One of the first things your attorney will do is investigate your accident. They will focus on determining liability and gathering evidence to support your claim. Next, they will evaluate your damages and calculate how much your claim is worth. After that, your attorney will discuss your options with you and file the necessary paperwork for whichever path you choose to pursue.
If you are suing the at-fault party, your lawyer will go through the steps of the pretrial process as they prepare to represent you in court. Throughout the process, your lawyer will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement deal with opposing counsel. If reaching a settlement agreement is possible, it can help you get your money quickly and avoid an unpredictable courtroom battle.
Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Get Paid on a Contingency Fee Basis
While most lawyers charge their clients based on how many hours they spend working on their cases, personal injury lawyers do things differently. Instead of focusing on the process, personal injury lawyers are concerned with the result. These lawyers get paid on a contingency fee basis, which means that they only get paid if you are able to collect compensation.
Furthermore, the fee your attorney will get is directly tied to how much money you recover. They get paid a predetermined percentage of the payout they receive from the liable party. With this system, you can feel assured that your attorney will do everything in their power to get you as much money as possible and increase their own payday.
An additional benefit of this system is that it makes it possible for every drunk driving accident victim to afford legal representation. Since your drunk driving accident lawyer in Union City gets paid from the compensation you receive, you will never have to pay them a penny out of pocket.
Union City Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
Getting Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident
After an injury sustained in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you will likely be eligible for several types of damages. Which damages apply to your case will depend on the specifics of your accident and the injuries you sustained. All compensatory damages can be divided between economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are the damages you suffer that directly affect your financial situation. Any money that you must spend or that you are unable to collect due to your accident is a form of economic damage. Additionally, these damages include both losses you are facing now and those you will face in the future. Common economic damages include:
- Lost income
- Lowered earning capacity
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
Non-Economic Damages
Any other losses you suffered due to your accident are considered non-economic damages. Because these damages are losses that can not be monetized, the amount of money you will be able to recover can vary significantly. Non-economic damages are often profound and can result in substantial compensation. Common non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disability
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
Drunk Driving Is a Criminal Offense
When a drunk driver causes an accident, they will likely face both criminal charges and one or more civil lawsuits. Your lawyer may recommend that you wait until the criminal case has concluded before filing your lawsuit because a guilty verdict can be used as evidence in your personal injury lawsuit.
Alternatively, if the driver is found not guilty of a criminal offense, it shouldn’t harm your case in any way, because the burden of proof is much higher in a criminal case than in a civil lawsuit.
Punitive Damages
While punitive damages only apply in a relatively small percentage of car accident cases, they are awarded in a high number of drunk driving cases. That is because punitive damages are meant to punish the liable party when the actions they took were criminally negligent or performed with the deliberate intent of causing harm.
File Your Personal Injury Lawsuit Before Time Runs Out
It is critical that you are aware of the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Union City. Failure to file on time will likely mean that you lose your chance to recover compensation for your injury. New Jersey gives accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases.
However, you should know that there are special circumstances that could apply to your case, which would further limit the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit. The best way to ensure that all deadlines are met is to hire a Union City DUI accident attorney as soon as possible after your crash.
Doing so will also put them in the best position to gather evidence and build a strong case.
Contact a Union City Drunk Driving Accident Attorney Today
When you get hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver, the Morelli Law Firm can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our team of Union City drunk driving accident attorneys has a proven track record of securing significant payouts for our clients. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form today for a free case evaluation.