These are the things people in Nashville need to know about drunk driving accidents

Nashville, TN – All drivers have the risk of being injured by someone who is intoxicated. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents are fairly common, and victims can sustain serious problems such as vehicle damage, health issues, or even fatalities. Those who are interested in learning more about what they can do after a crash can review some basic facts about drunk driving collisions, civil lawsuits, and criminal charges.

Attorneys near me are available to provide guidance to anyone who has sustained injuries due to an intoxicated driver. 

Drunk drivers injure people every day

Data related to traffic collisions has consistently shown that drunk drivers are responsible for causing many accidents in Nashville and other cities around the country. Things like the widespread availability of alcohol, poor planning, and substance abuse issues cause people to drive when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even though it is illegal, many drunk drivers are never caught by police and some of them will cause harm before they can be stopped. 

Driving after consuming drugs or alcohol can result in criminal charges

Every state in the country, including Tennessee, has some kind of laws against driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Penalties in the state can include monetary fines, jail time, substance abuse treatment, and paying restitution to any accident victims. Factors such as a high blood alcohol concentration, causing an accident, and prior convictions for DUI can all make the criminal penalties more severe. However, the decision to file and pursue criminal charges is at the discretion of a local prosecutor. 

Lawsuits are helpful for accident victims

Even if restitution is ordered in a criminal case against the drunk driver, civil lawsuits are often the only way for people who have been harmed by drunk drivers or in other types of motor vehicle collisions to receive the compensation they need. Nashville accident lawyers handle issues related to negligence lawsuits against drivers and negotiating settlements with insurance companies every day. The attorney’s job is to advocate on the client’s behalf and work for as much compensation as necessary to cover all of their losses. 

A person can be sued regardless of the outcome of the criminal case

Nashville DUI accident lawyers have the ability to file a civil personal injury lawsuit against drivers who cause accidents, even if the person has never been convicted of any crime. In a civil case there is a lower burden of proof, and it is only necessary to show that the driver engaged in some kind of careless behavior that led to the plaintiff’s injuries.

Additional help from a local attorney in Tennessee

USAttorneys.com is a site that helps people who need various kinds of legal advice. There are listings for lawyers all over the country divided by their location and area of practice.