What to Know About Drunk Driving Accidents
Unfortunately, drunk drivers are an ongoing concern in our society. It’s not difficult to imagine the kind of damage and injuries that a single drunk driver can wreak on a number of innocent victims.
We are Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo have extensive experience, knowledge, and resources to pursue cases against intoxicated drivers who cause bodily injury, property damage, or even death to people who were innocent victims of the drunk driver’s irresponsibility.
Most personal injury actions at civil law contemplate only compensatory damages. That means that your monetary recovery is for the purpose of making you whole after an accident; it’s a measure to try to ensure that you can get back your life back on track to where it was before the accident. However, when a Defendant does something particularly egregious, they may also be liable for punitive damages. As the name suggests, punitive damages aren’t damages to try to make you whole; they go above and beyond that. They exist to punish a Defendant for his reckless and grossly negligent behavior that caused you harm. The attorneys at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo have had success in pursuing these kinds of damages against particularly reckless drunk drivers.
In addition, if you suspect that the driver who caused your accident was drunk driving, make sure you call the authorities and immediately voice your concern to them. Don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. You want full documentation of the accident and an investigation of the Defendant, thus preserving evidence for any claim you pursue later. Remember: it’s your health, wellbeing, and life, so don’t hesitate to demand that the police investigate and gather the necessary information.
Can I pursue a Dram Shop action against the establishment that served the Defendant alcohol?
In addition, a drunk driving incident may open up the possibility of the victims pursuing a Dram Shop case against the establishment which served the drunk driver his alcohol. A Dram Shop case exists where an establishment that sells alcohol, such as bars and restaurants, serves alcohol to a patron past the point of visible intoxication and that patron then drives drunk and causes damages and injuries to a victim or victims.
Dram Shop cases are very involved and require dedication, expertise, and attention to detail. If you feel as though you may have a Dram Shop claim, contact us as soon as possible for a free consultation.
Remember that the statute of limitations for personal injury actions, including Dram Shop claims and drunk driving claims, is two years from the date of the accident. If you or a family member has been injured or killed by a drunk or careless driver, contact the law firm of Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo to discuss your options.
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