Durham Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
Trust Your Drunk Driving Case to the Lawyers at Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A. Throughout North Carolina
Due to impaired judgement and slower reaction times, it is no surprise that drunk drivers get into far more accidents than sober drivers. Drunk driving accidents can be life-altering events for the innocent victims who are injured by the careless drivers who chose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, don’t wait to contact our Durham drunk driving accident attorneys at (919) 336-1932. We can help you seek the compensation you both need and deserve.
North Carolina Drunk Driving Laws
Drunk driving falls under the category of Driving While Impaired (DWI) laws in North Carolina. This covers both drunk driving and driving while under the influence of drugs. The effects of drugs and alcohol vary depending on drug type and amount of alcohol, but the safest course is to not drive AT ALL while intoxicated in any way.
What is the Legal Alcohol Limit in NC?
North Carolina blood alcohol concentration tolerance:
- 0.08% if 21 years old or older
- 0% if under 21 years of age
- 0.04% if commercial driver (CDL)
- 0.04% if driving with a prior DWI
The effects of driving while intoxicated can be multi-faceted and include:
- Slowed Reaction Times: Slowed reflexes, decreasing a driver’s ability to react to changing situations.
- Impaired Judgement: A hindered ability to make rational decisions or safe driving choices.
- Impaired Cognitive Function: Attention span, understanding of surroundings and comprehension are impaired.
- Impaired Vision: Slowed eye function, eye movement and perception are blurred and impaired.
- Tracking: Judgement of the vehicle’s place on the road, location of other vehicles, road signs and lanes become impaired.
Understanding the full effects of driving while under the influence is one way to help victims, and all drivers, comprehend the numerous negative effects “just one drink” can have on driving capabilities. There is no justification for drunk driving.
Can You Sue for Punitive Damages?
When an accident is caused by a drunk driver, it may be possible to pursue additional damages against the drunk driver which are known as punitive damages. These are a form of additional damages against the defendant for instances when there was a willful disregard of the rights and safety of others. Repeat offense drunk drivers will often commit subsequent offenses. When a driver indicates a willful pattern of repeated drunk driving offenses, this can constitute strong evidence in a case for punitive damages.
Victims of Drunk Driving Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), alcohol-impaired crashes accounted for 28% of all traffic-related deaths throughout the U.S. in 2016.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that each day about 30 people are killed in drunk-driving accidents. In 2018 alone, there were a total of 10,511 deaths caused by drunk driving.
While many drunk driving accidents result in death, this is not the case for all accidents. Some accidents result in victims requiring extensive medical treatment or even lifelong care in order to continue living their lives following an accident. If you have been the victim of a drunk driver, you deserve justice! Let our drunk driving accident lawyers fight for your right to recovery!
Involved in a Drunk Driving Accident? We Can Help.
Dedicated legal counsel is a key in drunk driving accidents. It provides relief from the inevitable complexities of the legal process, so accident victims can work on rebuilding the normalcy of their lives. If you’ve been in a drunk driving accident, let us stand by your side and advocate for your rights. There is no excuse for drunk driving, You deserve as complete and fair compensation as allowed by North Carolina law.
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