The aftermath of drunk driving car accidents in Bartlett can wreak havoc on the lives of the injured party or parties involved. If you were recently injured by an intoxicated driver, knowing what rights you have under the state’s personal injury laws is key to determining whether you may be able to pursue compensation.
While a drunk driving crash could result in only minor injuries, these types of crashes are known for the catastrophic and even deadly outcomes they can inflict on the parties involved. A seasoned auto collision attorney at Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could speak with you about the accident, help determine whether you may be entitled to monetary damages, and work tirelessly to get you every penny you deserve.
After a drunk driving auto accident in Bartlett, there are three forms of financial compensation that the injured party may be entitled to. The first are economic damages. These include costs that could be incurred from the accident, such as:
The second form of recovery that could be available to the claimant in a drunk driving collision is non-economic damages. This type of compensation can vary widely from case to case, as it is designed to pay for injuries such as emotional distress, pain, and suffering.
The third and final type of compensation that could be awarded following a drunk driving accident is punitive damages. While punitive damages are not commonly awarded in such cases, the court may deem it appropriate to do so where the actions of the defendant or the injuries sustained by the plaintiff were so severe as to justify additional compensation above and beyond the prior two types discussed.
One vital factor in the outcome of any case filed after a drunk driving crash in Bartlett is the determination of liability. In other words, it is important to not only confirm that the intoxicated driver was responsible for the crash and the resulting injuries but also whether any other individuals or entities involved bear a measure of legal responsibility. If one or more parties were responsible for the crash, in addition to the drunk driver, this could leave the claimant with multiple avenues through which to pursue compensation for damages.
Moreover, if the claimant contributed to the accident, even by a seemingly minor degree, this could impact the compensation they are entitled to under the law. Tennessee state law allows claimants who were partially responsible for the accident that caused their injuries to be as much as 49 percent to blame and still be eligible to pursue financial recovery. However, the percentage by which an injured party is responsible for their own injuries would reduce their claimable compensation by the same amount.
The statute of limitations is the cutoff date by which a person can file a personal injury claim and still pursue a monetary award. According to Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-104, someone who is injured after a drunk driving collision in Bartlett has just 12 months to file a claim to pursue compensation.
There are limited exceptions to this deadline. Barring these exceptions that might prolong the filing deadline—such as when the responsible party had criminal charges filed against them following the accident—waiting to submit a claim until too close to or past the deadline could mean losing any right to pursue financial recovery in the future.
Drunk driving car accidents in Bartlett may leave you with serious physical and emotional injuries. A dedicated legal professional could help guide you through this difficult time.
An experienced lawyer from Reaves Law Firm, PLLC could implement aggressive strategies and a wealth of experience to pursue any and all compensation you might be entitled to. Call today to set up a consultation with one of our well-practiced attorneys.
