You did everything right. You buckled your seat belt and drove defensively through Decatur. But the other driver got behind the wheel intoxicated. Now you’re dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, and trauma. Drunk driving crashes are completely preventable, yet they continue killing thousands across Alabama every year.
At Ryan & Rouse, we fight for drunk driving victims with determination that reflects how preventable these tragedies are. We pursue maximum compensation, including punitive damages designed to punish drunk drivers. If you need a Decatur drunk driving accident lawyer, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Ryan & Rouse for Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk driving crashes justify pursuing maximum compensation, including punitive damages that regular accidents don’t warrant.
Supreme Court Victory Proves We Fight Big Defendants
Taylor Rouse’s 9-0 Supreme Court victory in Thacker v. Tennessee Valley Authority shows we take cases against powerful defendants and win. This federal win demonstrates our ability to handle the most complex cases and succeed against seemingly insurmountable odds.
We Pursue Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Cases
Alabama law allows punitive damages when defendants act with willful misconduct. Choosing to drive drunk qualifies, meaning we pursue compensation beyond actual damages. Punitive damages punish drunk drivers and deter similar behavior.
Experience With DUI Criminal Cases
Our DUI accident lawyers understand how criminal DUI prosecutions work and use that knowledge to strengthen civil cases. Criminal convictions for drunk driving prove fault in injury lawsuits.
Proven Track Record of Results
Our results include an $8 million jury verdict and multiple confidential multi-million dollar settlements. We know what drunk driving cases are worth and fight for full compensation.
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case
We handle drunk driving accident cases on contingency with no upfront costs. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Do Drunk Driving Crashes Differ From Other Accidents?
Alcohol impairs every ability needed to drive safely. Reaction times slow, vision blurs, depth perception fails, and judgment deteriorates. Drivers take risks they’d never take sober, like speeding, running red lights, or driving the wrong way. Alabama law prohibits driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, but commercial drivers face stricter limits of .04 percent BAC.
According to federal statistics, drunk driving kills about 34 people daily in the United States, one person every 42 minutes. Alabama sees dozens of alcohol-related traffic fatalities annually on roads throughout North Alabama, where impaired drivers leave bars and restaurants.
Common Signs of Drunk Driving We See
Understanding how intoxicated drivers behave on roads helps prove impairment when crashes occur.
Common indicators of drunk driving include:
- Weaving between lanes or drifting off the road
- Driving significantly below or above speed limits
- Stopping inappropriately at intersections without traffic controls
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Making wide turns or turning illegally
- Nearly hitting objects, curbs, or other vehicles
- Driving at night without headlights
- Responding slowly to traffic signals
Police officers look for these behaviors when conducting DUI patrols. Witnesses who see impaired driving should call 911 before crashes occur. When collisions happen, these observed behaviors help prove the other driver was intoxicated and at fault.
How Do We Prove the Other Driver Was Intoxicated?
Building a strong drunk driving case requires gathering evidence proving impairment caused the crash. Police reports typically indicate when officers suspect drunk driving. Blood alcohol test results, field sobriety tests, and breathalyzer readings provide objective evidence of intoxication.
Criminal DUI charges filed against the drunk driver help prove fault in civil cases. A conviction establishes that the driver violated laws and acted negligently. Our DUI accident lawyers obtain bar and restaurant receipts showing alcohol consumption before driving. We interview bartenders, servers and patrons who saw the driver drinking. We examine cell phone records and social media posts. Witness statements from people who saw erratic behavior and surveillance footage from nearby businesses capture the collision and the drunk driver’s behavior immediately after impact.
Alabama’s Dram Shop Laws
Alabama Code § 6-5-71 allows holding bars, restaurants and other alcohol sellers liable when they over-serve customers who then cause drunk driving crashes. Establishments that sell alcohol to visibly intoxicated people can face liability if those customers cause injuries after leaving.
Pursuing claims against bars and restaurants provides additional sources of compensation when drunk drivers lack adequate insurance coverage. Commercial establishments typically carry higher insurance limits than individual drivers.
What Compensation Could I Recover After a Drunk Driving Crash?
Drunk driving crashes often warrant higher compensation than regular accidents because of the willful nature of the defendant’s conduct.
Economic damages include:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Surgery, physical therapy and ongoing medical care
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Lost income during recovery periods
- Reduced future earning capacity if injuries cause permanent disabilities
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Rental car expenses
Non-economic damages compensate for:
- Physical pain and suffering from injuries and treatment
- Emotional distress and PTSD following traumatic crashes
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment when injuries prevent activities
- Impact on relationships with family and friends
Punitive damages are available in drunk driving cases because choosing to drive intoxicated shows willful misconduct and wanton disregard for others’ safety. These damages punish drunk drivers and deter others from similar conduct. Alabama juries have awarded substantial punitive damages in drunk driving cases, sometimes exceeding compensatory damages by multiple times.
How Much Time Do You Have to File a Drunk Driving Accident Claim in Alabama?
Alabama gives you two years from the accident date to file a drunk driving accident lawsuit. Evidence preservation is especially important in drunk driving cases. Blood alcohol test results, police body camera footage, bar surveillance videos and witness memories fade over time. The drunk driver’s criminal case may resolve before your civil case goes to trial, making it important to obtain criminal case records while they’re available. Contact Ryan & Rouse immediately after your accident so we can preserve evidence.
Steps to Take After a Drunk Driving Crash
Call 911 and tell responding officers you suspect the other driver is drunk. Officers will conduct field sobriety tests and potentially arrest the driver for DUI. Get medical treatment right away, even if injuries seem minor, because adrenaline masks pain.
Take photos of the accident scene, both vehicles, road conditions and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the crash or the drunk driver’s behavior before impact. Tell responding officers about any unusual driving behavior you observed before the crash like weaving, speeding, or running red lights. Request a copy of the police report once it’s available.
Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies before talking to us. Drunk drivers’ insurers will try to minimize their insured’s intoxication or blame you for not avoiding the collision. Then call us for a free personal injury consultation.
Contact Our Decatur Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys
Drunk driving crashes cause serious injuries and financial burdens you shouldn’t have to bear. At Ryan & Rouse, our DUI accident lawyer uses Supreme Court experience and proven trial skills to hold drunk drivers and insurers accountable. Our track record includes major verdicts and settlements for injured clients, and we always pursue maximum compensation, including punitive damages.
Call (256) 801-1000 or contact us online for free personal injury consultations. Our experienced Decatur drunk driving accident lawyers handle cases on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.