Get Skilled Legal Guidance After An Accident Caused By A Drunk Driver
Last updated on March 6, 2025
The aftermath of a car accident with a drunk driver can leave you bewildered and feeling like you do not know where to turn, especially when the medical bills are piling up.
At Clary | Suba | Neale, our dedicated lawyers have been helping car wreck victims in the Baton Rouge area recover their losses for decades. When you hire us, you get all 75 years of our combined legal experience in your corner – and we do not get paid unless we recover compensation on your behalf. You can focus on healing and trust us to handle the rest.
Do You Need To File A Personal Injury Claim After A Drunk Driving Wreck?
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) is illegal, so the driver who caused your accident may be facing significant criminal charges. But no matter what happens in their criminal case, that does not compensate you for your injuries and other losses. For that kind of justice, you need to pursue a civil claim.
Compensation Can You Receive
Louisiana law allows drunk driving victims to recover two types of compensatory damages, special and general.
Special damages are your out-of-pocket losses and are easily quantifiable, such as accident-related medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle and property damage and reasonably anticipated future expenses related to your injuries.
General damages are compensation for injuries where an exact dollar value is debatable. This can include your pain and suffering, loss of services and reduced quality of life.
The law also permits punitive damages in some cases. Punitive damages are not tied to your losses. Rather, they are designed to punish wrong-doers for their actions.
Immediate Steps To Take After A Drunk Driving Accident
The first step is to contact the authorities. You or someone else may need medical care, which should be your first priority. Additionally, the police may need to come to the scene to write a police report, conduct field sobriety tests or breath tests, and arrest the driver who caused the crash. Access to these reports is helpful if you sue for compensation, so get the case number from the police.
Another important step is to take pictures. Start with identifying pictures, like photos of the other person’s driver’s license, insurance information and license plate. Take pictures of the accident scene to help show why the crash occurred. Finally, take pictures of any injuries you have or damage to your vehicle.
How We Can Help You Recover Damages
Our experienced team can help you work to recover damages; some of the services we provide include:
● Gathering crucial evidence, such as police reports or BAC results
● Handling all insurance communications
● Documenting your medical expenses and injuries
● Identifying all possible sources of compensation
● Managing deadlines and paperwork
● Fighting for maximum compensation
For instance, people often know that they need compensation for immediate costs, like lost wages and medical bills. But the long-term costs – rehabilitation, in-home case, future medical needs, reduced earning capacity – could be even more significant. We help you seek all possible compensation.
Common Questions After A Drunk Driving Accident
Here are a few of the questions we see most often:
What if the drunk driver is uninsured?
It’s helpful to have uninsured motorist coverage as part of your own insurance policy, but you can also sue the driver directly.
How will my medical bills get paid?
You can seek financial compensation from the at-fault driver to cover these costs.
What if the criminal case is still pending?
The criminal case can help support your personal injury claim, but a criminal conviction isn’t required for you to seek compensation.
How long do I have to file a claim?
The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Louisiana is two years.
What compensation can I expect?
Potential areas of compensation include medical bills, long-term medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment in life and emotional distress.
If you have further questions, we would be happy to answer them at your free initial consultation.
Call For Your Free Case Consultation With An Attorney
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations that controls how long you have to file a claim is just one year from the date of the crash, so you need to act quickly to secure strong legal representation.
At Clary | Suba | Neale, our lawyers will personally address your questions and concerns at your free initial consultation. Call 225-228-3694 or use our online form to schedule your appointment.
