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Drunk driving crashes can leave victims facing devastating injuries. Whether you were hit by a drunk driver while heading home on Yancey Road or while commuting to work on I-221, you could seek compensation from the liable driver.
If you were in a car wreck involving a drunk driver, our Marion DWI accident lawyers can protect your legal rights. At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we can help you file a lawsuit, negotiate a settlement, and seek the financial recovery you deserve.
Your Legal Options for Seeking Compensation After a DWI Accident
When a drunk driver is responsible for your wreck, you could seek compensation. You may be able to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the negligent driver.
- Filing an insurance claim: In many cases, we can seek compensation by filing an insurance claim and negotiating an out-of-court settlement. This can present the fastest option for seeking the recovery you deserve.
- Filing a lawsuit: On the other hand, we may file a lawsuit and take your case to trial. Even if we start by filing a lawsuit, we could receive a settlement offer and resolve your case before a trial process begins.
We can tell you more about the best options for your recovery after an initial investigation of your case.
Types of Damages You Can Claim in a North Carolina Wreck
Compensation for your DWI wreck can help you recover both financial and non-financial losses, such as for your loss of earnings, medical expenses, and even your pain and suffering. You could receive compensation for both your current and anticipated losses.
Economic Damages
By reviewing receipts, invoices, and bills relating to your injury, we can estimate the economic damages you may be entitled to, such as:
- Bills for hospitalization and medical care
- The cost of towing a vehicle from the scene of a wreck
- Damage to property
- The cost of replacing and repairing a vehicle
- Transportation costs for medical appointments
- Medical devices and prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earnings
- Other negative impacts to your career, such as loss of promotion opportunities
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to economic damages, you may also receive non-economic damages. This refers to impacts on your life, relationships, and well-being such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Mobility impairments
- Reduced quality of life
Keep in mind that depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation other than what is listed here.
Additionally, non-economic damages in personal injury cases involving automobile wrecks are not capped under G.S. § 90-21.19.
How Long Do I Have to File a DWI Accident Claim in North Carolina?
State law in North Carolina dictates several filing deadlines for different types of lawsuits.
According to North Carolina statute G.S. § 1-52, residents have up to three years from the date of the car wreck to file a personal injury suit. To file a wrongful death action arising from the wreck, you have two years from the date of the decedent’s death, per North Carolina statute G.S. § 1-53.
If you work with our attorneys, you won’t have to take on the hassle of meeting these deadlines on your own.
What Can a Marion DWI Accident Lawyer Do for Me?
There are several things our attorneys can do for you when it comes to filing a DWI accident claim, including:
- Identify all factors contributing to your crash
- Analyze all the evidence, including medical records and crash reports
- Interview witnesses who were at the scene
- Determine which defendants may be at fault
- Work with your insurance adjuster to help negotiate your claim
- Hire expert witnesses to provide testimony on your behalf
- Present all relevant evidence at trial to obtain a court award
- File your case with the civil court if a fair settlement isn’t offered
Additionally, our fees for personal injury cases are contingency-fee based. This means you don’t get charged upfront—instead, you only owe lawyer’s fees if we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions in Marion DWI Accident Cases
Our attorneys are prepared to answer all of your questions. Consider our answers to these common questions in North Carolina DWI crashes:
What is a DWI Crash?
A DWI crash occurs when a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Having a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.08% can lead to a DWI charge if the driver is over 21 years old.
In North Carolina, intoxication under age 21 is treated as a “zero tolerance” offense. This means that if a driver is under 21, any evidence of intoxication can be grounds for a DWI charge.
How Common is Alcohol-Impaired Driving in North Carolina?
If you were in a wreck with an intoxicated driver in Marion, you’re not alone.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) gives a picture of just how dangerous North Carolina roads can be, as well as an idea of the impact of injuries caused by DWIs. In 2019 alone, there were 11,492 crashes related to alcohol use in North Carolina.
How Much Does Auto Insurance Cover?
According to the NCDOT, drivers must carry a specific amount of insurance coverage, including:
- A minimum of $30,000 for bodily injury liability
- A minimum of $60,000 in coverage for all personal injuries in one crash
- A minimum of $25,000 in property damage per crash
- A minimum of $750,000 for commercial vehicles
If the liable driver’s insurance coverage isn’t enough to cover your losses, we may advise filing a lawsuit to seek compensation from the driver personally.
How Much Compensation Could I Receive?
Damages you may be eligible to receive depend on several factors such as the severity of your injuries and the damages you suffered. Every car wreck is unique, and our attorneys will investigate the unique circumstances of your case to tell you how much could be available.
Our DWI Accident Lawyers Can Get Started on Your Marion Case Today
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC offers free legal consultations. During this call, you can get more information about our services and ask any questions you might have about your legal situation.
Contact Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC today at (828) 286-3866 for your free case review.
