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How much money can accident victims get from a drunk driver in Oak Hills Place?

Oak Hills Place, LA – Drunk drivers can face several serious consequences if they cause a crash. Aside from the obvious consequences of criminal charges such as fines, jail time, and a license suspension, drunk drivers will also have to deal with civil lawsuits from accident victims. These cases can potentially make the drivers pay out very large amounts, even if they were not convicted in criminal court.  

Attorneys near me are available to provide specific guidance to their clients throughout the course of a lawsuit. It is also best to speak with a lawyer to get a specific estimate about the value of a lawsuit, as it can be difficult to estimate damages without knowing more about an accident.  

Civil liability for drunk drivers

Any motor vehicle accident will result in liability being attached to the driver who is at fault. In most civil cases related to drunk driving accidents, evidence of the driver’s intoxication or other reckless behaviors will be introduced to show negligence. The plaintiff does not need to prove that the driver was drunk at the time of the collision, but they have to prove some kind of deviation from the proper standard of care on the roads, which can be done through evidence of intoxication or other means. 

Damages in civil lawsuits

There are a few different types of compensation that are awarded to accident victims who successfully win their case or negotiate a settlement. Economic damages are based on the summary of all of the plaintiff’s losses, such as the costs of medical treatment, property repairs, lost income and wages, and other costs that are directly related to the collision. Non-economic damages for pain and suffering are available as well. These types of damages can be more difficult to predict, as the plaintiff needs to argue that things like physical pain, mental trauma, and quality of life problems caused by the drunk driver should all be compensated at a certain amount. These amounts tend to increase more with serious or life changing injuries. Louisiana law also allows punitive damages to be awarded against drunk drivers. This means that additional compensation can be awarded to the victim as a way of punishing the defendant, and these are not tied to any specific losses. 

In cases involving fatalities, disabilities, or other serious injuries, these amounts may add up to hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. 

Louisiana accident attorneys

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf is a law firm that works to help accident victims in Oak Hills Place and other parts of Louisiana. Anyone who needs advice from a local licensed attorney can contact the firm to schedule a meeting.

Firm contact info:

Miller, Hampton, and Hilgendorf

3960 Government St., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

225-343-2205

www.mlhlaw.com

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