Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Minnesota, and it also causes numerous injuries and deaths on the roads every year. While the criminal justice system will handle part of the communal punishment for anyone who causes injuries or death as a result of drunk driving (driver’s license loss, jail time, fines), oftentimes it takes more for the victims to feel that justice has been served. They can work to get their own sense of justice through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. In today’s blog, we dive into the basics of getting compensation if you are injured by a drunk driver in Minnesota.
Who Can I Sue After A Drunk Driving Crash?
It’s worth noting that the drunk driver may not be the only one that you can hold accountable for the crash in the court of law. Besides the intoxicated driver, you may want to talk with an attorney to see if any of these other parties may be held partially responsible for your injuries:
The Bar or Restaurant – Dram shop laws hold establishments responsible if their staff continue to serve an obviously intoxicated individual. If someone is clearly under the influence of alcohol and the staff keeps serving them, the business may be held liable in the event that the individual gets behind the wheel and causes an accident.
The Host – If you went to a Christmas party or similar gathering at a friend’s house and were overserved, you may be able to hold the host accountable for the accident. This tends to be more common in cases of underage drinking where a host knew or had reason to know that underage guests were consuming alcohol on their property. If the accident was caused by an adult who simply kept reaching into the cooler too frequently, it’s less likely that a homeowner will be charged, but it’s worth talking about your options with an attorney.
The Venue – We’ve also seen cases when an event organizer or a venue has been held liable for injuries in the wake of a drunk driving accident. Similar to the first point, a wedding venue or an event company can be held liable in the event that they knowingly over-serve a guest who ends up causing a drunk driving accident.
Getting Compensation After A Drunk Driving Car Crash
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a drunk driver, whether they were in the same vehicle or not, the first thing you need to do is contact a personal injury firm like the team at Hey Workers. We’ll begin by reviewing the facts of the case and taking a closer look at the doctor’s report and your injuries. From there, we’ll work tirelessly to develop an accurate injury demand that takes into account your current and future medical bills and needs. Some of the aspects that we may seek compensation for include:
- Current medical bills
- Expected future medical expenses
- Wrongful death
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional stress
Finally, it’s also worth noting that you may be able to pursue punitive damages in the wake of a drunk driving accident. Punitive damages are only allowed in cases where one party showed willful, wanton or malicious action that led to the injury of others. In many instances, a case can be made that the decision to drive drunk involved a willful indifference to the health and safety of everyone else on the road. Punitive damages are designed to punish an individual for their careless and reckless behavior and are oftentimes based on a variety of factors, including the specifics of the case and the defendant’s ability to satisfy a punitive judgment.
Being injured in a drunk driving accident will be a life-changing experience, and while we can’t help with every aspect of the fallout, we do want to ensure that you are taken care of financially after a drunk driving accident. For more information about your options, or for help with a different type of injury case, reach out to the team at Hey Workers today at (844) 439-9675.
