Many car accidents are true accidents. Nobody did anything intentionally wrong, but vehicles still managed to collide. DUI crashes are much different. In these “accidents,” someone made the conscious decision to drink alcohol and get behind the wheel while in an impaired state, choosing to put other motorists in danger.
If you were injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Our lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury law. Since our opening, our personal injury attorneys have recovered tens of millions of dollars. Let our New Orleans, LA, team fight for the justice and accountability you deserve. Call us today at (504) 294-3804 for a free consultation with a New Orleans DUI accident lawyer.
How Can Our DUI Accident Lawyers Help You?
DUI accidents can lead to severe injuries because drunk drivers may have difficulty controlling their speed or could fall asleep behind the wheel. They could be suffering from serious injuries, making it difficult to manage everyday life, let alone a complex legal system.
An experienced New Orleans, Louisiana, lawyer from Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can manage your legal claim while you focus on your recovery, taking care of every detail, including:
- Explaining your legal rights during a free and confidential consultation
- Exploring all options for financial recovery
- Investigating the factors that contributed to the accident
- Gathering compelling evidence regarding fault and the value of your damages
- Negotiating for fair compensation
- Handling communications with insurance companies
- Monitoring case deadlines
- Managing claim paperwork
Call us now to meet with a New Orleans personal injury attorney for a free case assessment.
What Is Drunk Driving in New Orleans?
Louisiana law characterizes drunk driving as operating a vehicle while any of the following:
- Under the influence of alcohol
- Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more
- Under the influence of a controlled substance
- Under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance or other drug
Drunk drivers can be criminally prosecuted and face civil penalties due to their actions.
DUI Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 13,524 people died in drunk driving crashes in the United States in 2022. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports that 261 of these people were in Louisiana. It also found that 31% of motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana in 2022 were alcohol-related.
Effects of Alcohol on Driving
According to the NHTSA, the adverse effects of alcohol on the central nervous system increase as the driver takes in more alcohol. Alcohol is absorbed directly through the stomach and small intestine, then passes into the bloodstream until the liver metabolizes it. While having a higher BAC is associated with a significant increase in crash likeliness, even small amounts of alcohol can impair a person’s driving ability.
Some of the effects of alcohol on driving can include:
- Loss of judgment
- Difficulty tracking a moving target
- Reduced coordination
- Difficulty performing two tasks at once
- Reduced muscle control
- Decreased alertness
- Reduced inhibitions
- Difficulty steering
- Problems maintaining speed or lane position
- Delayed reaction time
- Short-term memory loss
- Reduced information processing ability
- Impaired perception
- Slowed thinking
Alcohol significantly impairs a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely, even at low levels.
What Financial Compensation Can I Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident in New Orleans?
Drunk driving accident victims have a right to seek compensation for all their alcohol-related losses, including:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Permanent disabilities and impairments
- Costs to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
While punitive damages are not typically awarded to personal injury victims, these damages can be awarded by a court when it seeks to punish a defendant for egregious behavior that has caused injuries, including when a driver is drunk.
How Much Is My New Orleans Drunk Driving Accident Case Worth?
Various factors can affect the potential value of your personal injury case. The nature and severity of your injury will be a prominent factor in determining your case value. Available insurance and your role in causing the accident can also affect your case value. The best way to learn the potential value of your case is to hire an experienced car accident lawyer.
Is the Drunk Driver Automatically At Fault?
No. You have to show the driver’s intoxication was the direct cause of the accident. If you contributed to the accident, your damages can be reduced by your degree of fault under Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence system. Evidence such as police reports, traffic citations, witness statements, and videos of the drunk driver’s behavior after a crash can help prove fault.
What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s personal injury statute of limitations was changed in 2024 to increase the time to file a personal injury lawsuit from a mere one year to two years after an accident. If you don’t file your legal case within this timeline, you can miss out on your opportunity to recover any compensation for your injuries.
Call Our Car Accident Law Firm in New Orleans Today
If you were injured in a drunk driving crash in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call for a free case review with a New Orleans DUI accident lawyer.
We’re standing by to provide you with top-rated legal services. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our car accident attorneys in New Orleans. Our firm is located near you. We have an office in New Orleans at 318 Harrison Avenue Suite 107, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70124, United States. Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 30.00534145822141, -90.11207245767254.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in New Orleans, LA
Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
318 Harrison Avenue, Suite 107, New Orleans, LA, 70124
(504) 294-3804
