Terrebonne Parish Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Terrebonne Parish Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Being injured in any motor vehicle accident can be traumatic and stressful, and it can be additionally frustrating when the accident occurred because the other driver was impaired. If you were injured by a drunk driver, you likely have grounds for a personal injury claim against them. An experienced Terrebonne Parish drunk driving accident lawyer can help you determine whether you can file a claim and recover losses like pain and suffering, lost income, and medical bills.

Navigating a Car Accident Claim With Hammond Law Firm, LLC

When someone operates their vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they endanger everyone on the roadway. You may have suffered minor or catastrophic injuries from the crash. In either case, you could recover compensation. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy to secure this financial recovery when you are physically and mentally recovering from a crash.

At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we can manage your claim, the investigation, and the negotiation or litigation. We want to help you get the financial compensation you are owed. We have helped individuals and their families who have been hurt by drunk drivers. With over 40 years of combined legal experience, our firm can give you the greatest chance at recovering maximum compensation.

Drunk Driving in Terrebonne Parish

In 2024, there were 14 fatal crashes in Terrebonne Parish, three of which were alcohol-related, making alcohol a contributing factor in 21.43% of all fatal accidents in the parish. Out of the 707 suspected injured crashes, 7.21% were alcohol-related, and 2.75% of property damage-only accidents involved alcohol. Suspected injury and property damage alcohol-related accidents increased from 2023 to 2024, while fatal alcohol-related accidents remained the same.

How Do I Prove Negligence in My Accident Claim?

To recover damages from a drunk driver after an accident, you must prove specific elements in a civil claim:

1. Duty of care: The driver owed you a duty of reasonable care to exercise caution.
2. Breach of duty: The driver breached that duty of care by breaking traffic laws and driving impaired.
3. Causation: Their breach of duty was the cause of the accident, and you would not have been injured if they were sober.
4. Damages: You suffered economic and noneconomic damages as a result of the accident and your injury.

When a driver is found to be driving under the influence, they can face criminal charges. Your civil case for damages is separate from this criminal case. While it can support your case if the driver is convicted of driving under the influence, it is not required to recover compensation. In a civil claim, you must prove that your injuries occurred because of the driver’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct.

Financial Damages in a Drunk Driving Accident

Like other accidents, a civil claim against an at-fault driver can recover the entire value of your economic and noneconomic damages. There may also be additional damages in the form of punitive damages. These are called exemplary damages in Louisiana and may be awarded by the court if an impaired driver shows gross negligence for the lives and safety of others. An attorney can help you determine if you can file for these damages.

Contact Hammond Law Firm, LLC

You need compassionate and reliable legal support after a drunk driving accident. Contact the experienced team at Hammond Law Firm, LLC today.