Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers in Anoka
Holding Negligent Drivers Accountable
In 2017, there were 24,862 impaired driving incidents in Minnesota. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29 people die every day in the United States because someone chose to drive while alcohol impaired. The impact of a drunk driving accident on victims and their families is significant — physically, financially, and emotionally.
How Drunk Driving Accidents affect Victims
Any amount of alcohol in a person’s system can negatively affect their ability to drive. It only takes a second to make a critical mistake while driving, whether alcohol is involved or not. Add alcohol to the mix, and the chances of mistakes only increase. The consequences for the person driving under the influence can be costly, of course. They may face thousands of dollars in fines, attorney fees, and other expenses if convicted. They may face jail time, the suspension of their driving license, and the stain of a criminal record.
As bad as that can be for the person who drove under the influence, the consequences for the victim of a crash may not only be life-changing — they can be life-ending.
A drunk driving accident can prove emotionally and physically devastating for the victim. Injuries to legs and knees, the neck, the chest, the spinal cord, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the form of closed head and penetrating head injuries are common in car crashes. Survivors of these injuries can suffer consequences affecting their health, ability to work, and even social interactions. TBI may result in seizures, long-term or permanent impairment of physical and cognitive abilities, paralysis, and behavioral and emotional issues.
We typically think of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affecting veterans. PTSD is not uncommon in victims of violent car crashes, too.
The main symptoms of PTSD include:
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Avoiding people, places, and situations that remind them of the crash experience
- Irritability, flares of anger, sleeping disorders, and trouble concentrating
Action Against Drunk Drivers
By taking legal action against a drunk driver, you are sending a powerful message and joining in the fight against drunk driving. Regardless of the severity of your injuries, you have a right to seek justice and to be made whole by the person who caused the crash. This may mean filing a civil suit is your best path to recover damages for your losses.
Bolt Law Firm understands that it may be difficult at a time like this to think about courtrooms and compensation. But if you or your family have suffered at the hands of a drunk driver, it is important to stand up for your rights and help keep the roads safer for all drivers.
Contact your trusted advocates at Bolt Law Firm to schedule an initial consultation with a skilled lawyer.