Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Holding Drunk Drivers Accountable - (719) 602-5888
Drunk driving is the largest contributing factor in avoidable traffic fatalities in the state of Colorado. Drivers who get behind the wheel of a car after drinking place other drivers and passengers on the road at serious risk. While drunk drivers can face criminal penalties and lose their license as a consequence of drinking and driving, victims of these accidents have the right to bring civil claims against these drivers for their gross negligence. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience, our Colorado Springs drunk driving accident attorneys can help victims pursue full and fair compensation for their injuries.
Contact us online today to learn of your rights as a DUI accident victim.
Statistics on Alcohol-Related Driving Accidents
One of the major causes of car accidents is drunk driving. The most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released in December 2020 indicate that more than 10,000 people are killed annually in the United States because of drunk drivers, which makes up roughly 30 percent of total traffic fatalities. A large number of these alcohol-related traffic fatalities were caused by drivers under the legal drinking age. Many people die and even more Colorado residents are injured every year because of willful acts of negligence like drinking and driving.
Other drunk driving statistics indicate that:
- A large majority of DUI-caused fatalities were by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 percent or higher.
- Approximately 87 percent of the higher-BAC drivers that cause fatalities are repeat offenders.
- According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1,001,329 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2018 alone. This equates to one arrest for every 227 licensed drivers in the United States.
- El Paso County has the second-highest annual motor vehicle accident rate in Colorado.
How much is my DUI accident claim worth?
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car accident with a drunk driver, you may be wondering how much your claim is worth. In addition to the money that the at-fault driver's insurance company can provide, you may be entitled to additional compensation.
Factors our Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers can consider when estimating the value of your claim include:
- The severity of the accident
- The at-fault drivers record (ex: prior DUI offenses)
- The damage to your vehicle
- The wages you lost from missing work
- The loss of potential earnings if you are disabled
- The emotional trauma following the accident
- The extent of your injuries and cost of treatment (past and future)
- Reduced quality of life
In Colorado, drivers are required to carry at least the minimum auto insurance coverage. According to the Colorado Division of Insurance, all drivers are required to carry at least $25,000 per person for bodily injury, at least $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and a minimum of $15,000 per accident for property damage. The drunk driver will likely be 100 percent at fault for the accident, which means that you as the victim can recover up to the amount that their policy includes.
What is unique about drunk driving accidents is that they are often much more severe than other traffic collisions and are caused by an act of willful disregard for the safety of others. Drunk driving is not an accident - it is a choice. Because of this, our car accident lawyers may be able to file an additional claim for compensation such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life (for debilitating injuries) and psychological trauma such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Contact a Colorado Springs Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a serious DUI accident, or you tragically lost a loved one because of a drunk driver, please do not hesitate to contact our personal injury attorneys. At Clawson & Clawson, LLP, our job is to advocate on behalf of accident victims so they can recover the compensation they both need and deserve.
To learn more about how our firm could help or to schedule your free initial consultation, call today at (719) 602-5888.