Metairie Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
Fighting for People Who Have Suffered Life-Altering Injuries Caused by Drunk Drivers
When someone chooses to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they put everyone around them in danger. Drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of severe injury crashes in Metairie and across Louisiana, often leaving victims facing long recoveries, financial stress, and lasting emotional trauma. These accidents are preventable, and the responsibility lies with the impaired driver who caused the harm.
Metairie car accident lawyer Donald D’Aunoy Jr. represents victims in DUI-related crashes, helping them seek the financial recovery they need to move forward.
Why Drunk Driving Accidents Are Often More Severe
Crashes involving impaired drivers are often more destructive than typical vehicle accidents. Alcohol and drug impairment affects judgment, reaction time, and coordination, which means drunk and high drivers are far more likely to make dangerous errors on the road.
These deadly mistakes significantly increase impact force and injury severity. Common patterns seen in drunk driving collisions include:
- High speeds with little or no braking: Impaired drivers often fail to recognize hazards until the moment of impact, resulting in harder collisions.
- Running red lights or stop signs: This creates a high likelihood of T-bone collisions, which are among the most dangerous types of crashes for drivers and passengers in the struck vehicle.
- Drifting across lanes or veering into oncoming traffic: This can lead to head-on collisions, which have some of the highest fatality rates of any car crashes.
- Overcorrecting or swerving suddenly: Even small steering errors can result in loss of control at highway speeds. These are more dangerous in some vehicles, like trucks with high centers of gravity, often leading to rollover crashes.
Because of these factors, drunk driving crashes frequently cause more serious injuries, greater vehicle damage, and longer injury recovery periods compared to accidents where the at-fault driver was sober.
Liability in Drunk Driving Injury Claims
Driving under the influence is a clear violation of Louisiana law. However, the criminal case against the impaired driver is separate from your civil injury claim. Even if the driver is arrested or convicted, you still need to bring a civil claim to pursue financial compensation. Although a guilty verdict in the criminal case can help your personal injury claim, it doesn’t guarantee you will win.
Evidence in your DUI accident claim may include:
- Police reports and arrest records
- Field sobriety and BAC test results
- Eyewitness statements
- Traffic camera, dashcam, or surveillance footage
- Accident reconstruction findings
Lawyer Don can gather and preserve this evidence to build a strong case for recovery.
Were You Injured in a Drunk Driving Accident? Call Lawyer Don Today
If you need legal assistance, the first step is talking to an experienced accident injury attorney about your situation. Call or contact us today for more information. We're available 24/7.
When Punitive Damages May Be Available
In addition to the typical damages available in a personal injury claim, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering, some drunk driving injury cases may also qualify for punitive damages.
These are not awarded to reimburse losses. Instead, punitive damages are meant to punish the impaired driver and discourage similar conduct in the future.
Punitive damages are not available in every case. Louisiana law allows them only when the driver’s behavior demonstrates a wanton or reckless disregard for the safety of others, such as:
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration well above the legal limit
- Causing a crash after prior DUI convictions or warnings
- Fleeing the scene or attempting to evade law enforcement
- Driving under the influence with minors in the vehicle
- Showing blatant disregard for traffic laws or obvious signs of impairment
Proving that punitive damages are warranted requires clear evidence of the driver’s impairment and conduct. This often involves reviewing police records, chemical test results, prior convictions, witness accounts, and investigative reports.
A lawyer experienced in drunk driving injury cases can evaluate whether punitive damages are appropriate and build the documentation necessary to pursue them.
Why Choose Lawyer Don?
Extensive Experience
Years of representing injury victims in high-value accident claims.
Local Knowledge
Familiarity with Metairie roads, accident patterns, and court procedures.
Aggressive Advocacy
Willingness to take on companies and their insurers.
Direct Client Attention
Every client is given direct email and phone access to Lawyer Don, and he will be available throughout your case.
No Upfront Costs
Representation is provided on a contingency fee basis, so clients pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accidents
What should I do if I suspect the other driver was intoxicated?
If you believe the other driver may be under the influence, avoid confronting them and focus on your safety. Contact law enforcement immediately and report any observations that led you to suspect impairment, such as slurred speech, the smell of alcohol, erratic driving, or difficulty maintaining balance.
If it is safe to do so, document the scene and gather contact information from witnesses. Police officers can investigate potential impairment and determine whether additional testing is appropriate.
Can I still file a claim if the drunk driver was never convicted?
Yes. A criminal conviction is not required to pursue compensation after a drunk driving accident. Criminal DUI charges and civil injury claims are separate legal matters that involve different standards of proof.
Even if prosecutors decide not to pursue charges or a conviction is not obtained, you may still have a valid personal injury claim. Evidence showing that the driver's impairment contributed to the crash may support your case.
Does a DUI arrest automatically mean the driver is at fault?
Not necessarily. While a DUI arrest can be important evidence, liability is still determined by examining how the accident occurred and whether the driver's actions caused the collision.
In many cases, evidence of impairment strengthens an injury claim. However, insurance companies and courts may still evaluate other factors, including road conditions, driver actions, and the sequence of events leading up to the crash.
What if the drunk driver was uninsured?
You may still have options for recovering compensation if the impaired driver lacks insurance coverage. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, it may provide benefits for medical expenses, lost income, and other accident-related losses.
Identifying available insurance coverage can be more complicated when an uninsured driver is involved. An attorney can review the available policies and determine what sources of recovery may exist.
Can I sue a bar or restaurant for a drunk driving accident in Louisiana?
In most cases, Louisiana law limits the liability of bars, restaurants, and other businesses that serve alcohol. Generally, responsibility for a drunk driving accident rests with the person who chose to consume alcohol and get behind the wheel.
However, every case is unique, and liability issues can become more complex depending on the circumstances involved. An attorney can evaluate the facts and determine whether any additional parties may potentially share responsibility.
Can prescription medications lead to a drunk driving accident claim?
Yes. Impairment-related accidents are not limited to alcohol or illegal drugs. Certain prescription medications and even some over-the-counter medications can affect reaction time, judgment, coordination, and the ability to operate a vehicle safely.
If a driver's impairment from prescription medication contributed to an accident, they may still be held responsible for the injuries and damages they caused. The key issue is whether the driver's ability to operate the vehicle safely was impaired.
Can passengers injured by a drunk driver recover compensation?
In many cases, yes. Passengers injured in drunk driving accidents may have the right to pursue compensation regardless of which driver caused the crash. This includes passengers riding with the impaired driver as well as passengers in another vehicle involved in the collision.
An attorney can help identify the insurance coverage and legal options available in a particular case.
What if a drunk driver hit me and fled the scene?
You should report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible and provide any information you can about the fleeing vehicle. Details such as the vehicle's color, make, model, direction of travel, and license plate information may help investigators locate the driver.
Even if the driver is never identified, compensation may still be available. If your auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist coverage, it may provide benefits for medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related losses.
Can I recover compensation if the drunk driver died in the crash?
Potentially, yes. The death of the at-fault driver does not automatically prevent an injured victim from pursuing compensation. In many cases, applicable insurance coverage remains available even if the impaired driver dies in the crash.
Depending on the circumstances, a claim may also involve the driver's estate. An attorney can help determine what sources of compensation may be available after a fatal drunk driving accident.
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Visit Our Metairie Office
Clients traveling from Interstate 10 can take the Bonnabel Boulevard exit and head north toward Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The office is located near the Veterans Memorial Boulevard and Oaklawn Drive intersection.
Metairie Office
1000 Veterans Memorial Blvd. #203
Metairie, LA 70005
(504) 508-6414
Contact Lawyer Don After an Injury Caused by a Drunk Driver in Metairie
You did not choose this situation, and you should not have to shoulder the financial burden alone. Metairie injury attorney Donald D’Aunoy Jr. helps victims take action after drunk driving accidents, providing clear guidance and dedicated representation throughout the claims process. Call (504) 508-6414 to schedule a consultation and discuss your options after a drunk driving accident in Metairie.
