Drunk Driving Accidents
If you’ve been injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, you’re likely experiencing a mix of emotions: anger, frustration, pain, and confusion. You want justice as you heal, and you need someone on your side who understands your situation. The auto accident attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton understand your circumstance and will fight for your rights as a driver and citizen, helping you to focus on healing.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), of the 989 traffic fatalities in the State of Tennessee in 2009, 303 were related to alcohol-impaired driving. In Mississippi, out of 700 traffic fatalities, 234 were as a result of drunk drivers. These figures are staggering, especially in light of the fact that these deaths could easily have been avoided had the responsible party simply obeyed the law or designated someone that was sober to drive.
Both Mississippi and Tennessee law provide that if an individual negligently operates a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and he/she is involved in a traffic accident with injuries, the responsible party can be held liable criminally, as well as civilly. In other words, the person is not only charged with a crime, he/she is also accountable to pay the injured party damages for the harm caused.
In addition, the law allows for the awarding of punitive damages against the drunk driver responsible for causing the injury. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter this type of conduct in the community as a whole.
The attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton believe that an individual who intentionally operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs should be held accountable for the damages–physical, emotional, economic, and sometimes even punitive–that result from their actions; or, in some cases, their inactions. We have worked hard to build a solid reputation for helping our clients obtain the compensation–and the justice–they deserve, both through jury verdicts in a courtroom and settlements at the negotiation table.
If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident near Southaven, Mississippi, contact the experienced auto accident attorneys at Stroud, Flechas & Dalton today for help with your case, so you can focus on healing and moving on with your life.