Phoenix Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Fighting For Drunk Driving Accident Victims in Arizona

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 9,967 people died in crashes involving an intoxicated driver in 2014, making up nearly one-third of all traffic-related fatalities that year. Making the decision to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming an alcoholic beverage, even if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is below the legal limit of 0.08 percent, can result in a catastrophic collision and serious injury, or in the most extreme cases, even death. If you or someone you love was involved in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to file a lawsuit in order to seek the compensation you need.

At MayesTelles PLLC, our Phoenix car accident attorneys have dedicated their careers to providing our clients with the experienced legal representation they need to seek the compensation they deserve to cover their medical bills and other damages they may have incurred. Drivers who choose to operate a vehicle while intoxicated put their lives, the lives of their passengers, and the lives of everyone else on the road at risk, and when their choice leads to a serious crash, their victims deserve the chance to fight for their rights through the legal system. Contact us today to speak with a member of our firm and begin planning your next steps.

Discuss your case with our experienced Phoenix drunk driving accident attorney today by giving us a call at (602) 428-7104.

Steps To Take After A Drunk Driving Accident

Being involved in a car accident of any kind is an incredibly stressful experience, especially when someone has suffered an injury. While keeping calm may be a difficult task, it is important to follow these steps in order to begin building your case:

• Make sure you are okay: The first thing you need to do in the event of a crash is check to make sure that you and any passengers in your car are okay. Even if everyone appears to be fine, you should still go to a doctor for a full checkup, because your injuries may not be immediately obvious. If someone is clearly injured, your first action should be to call 911 and get help right away.
• Gather information: Getting information from the other driver or drivers in the crash should be your next step. This includes their contact information, driver’s license information, and insurance information.
• Speak with the police: The officers responding to the crash will need to create a police report that includes statements from all drivers involved, as well as any witnesses. This information will play a key role in proving liability to your insurance company.
• Medical records: You need to get yourself checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. You may have an injury that is not immediately apparent on first inspection, and having proof that your injuries were directly caused by the accident will help prove your case to your insurance company.

What Compensation is Available After A Drunk Driving Crash

After a serious drunk driving collision, many people are unsure what types of compensation they can pursue or how those losses are calculated. Medical expenses are often the most immediate concern, but the financial impact usually extends far beyond the first hospital visit. In Phoenix, injury claims arising from drunk driving crashes typically seek to address both the costs you have already incurred and the losses you are likely to face in the future because of the crash.

Damages in these cases may include emergency treatment, follow-up appointments, surgeries, rehabilitation, and medication, as well as the income you lose if you are unable to work while you recover. For more serious injuries, there may also be claims for diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to the same type of work or schedule you had before. We also look at how the crash has affected your day-to-day life, including pain, emotional distress, and the ways your relationships and activities have changed since the collision caused by the drunk driver.

In some Arizona drunk driving cases, the facts may also support a claim for punitive damages, which are designed to punish particularly reckless conduct and discourage similar behavior in the future. Whether punitive damages are appropriate depends on the specific evidence in your case and how the court views the driver’s decisions leading up to the crash. Our attorneys draw on our background as former prosecutors to present the facts in a clear, compelling way that highlights the choices the impaired driver made and the impact those choices have had on you and your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After A Drunk Driving Crash In Arizona?

Arizona law sets a deadline, known as the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a drunk driving crash. In many cases, this period is measured in years, but waiting can make it harder to gather evidence and locate witnesses. Talking with a lawyer as soon as you are able helps ensure important time limits are identified and met.

Does The Other Driver Need To Be Convicted Of DUI For Me To Bring An Injury Claim?

No, a criminal DUI conviction is not required for you to pursue a civil injury claim. The criminal case focuses on whether the state can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while a civil case uses a different standard and is aimed at compensating you for your losses. Evidence from the criminal investigation can still be very helpful, even if the driver is not convicted.

What If I Was A Passenger In The Vehicle Driven By The Impaired Driver?

Passengers who are injured in a drunk driving crash may still be able to pursue compensation for their injuries. Your claim may involve the impaired driver’s insurance, another vehicle’s insurance, or, in some situations, your own policy. A lawyer can review the available coverage and help you understand which options may apply in your situation.

Contact Our Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in Phoenix Today

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a crash caused by a drunk driver, you may be able to pursue legal options to seek the compensation you need to cover any damages or medical bills you may have incurred. Our Phoenix car accident lawyers at MayesTelles PLLC have years of experience handling these types of cases and are prepared to use their knowledge to fight for your rights in court and at the negotiating table in order to seek the compensation you deserve. Send us information about your case through our online form to start out with a free case evaluation, or call us at (602) 428-7104.

When you involve our team early, we can move quickly to secure evidence that may disappear, such as surveillance footage, vehicle data, and witness contact information. We also understand how the criminal DUI case in Phoenix Municipal Court or Maricopa County Superior Court may affect the timing and strategy of your civil claim. By coordinating with the criminal process while focusing on your financial recovery, we aim to put you in a strong position to seek compensation for medical care, lost income, and the long-term effects of the drunk driving crash.

Contact us today to get started with our Phoenix drunk driving accident lawyer.