DUI Accident Lawyer in Sevierville
Did you or a loved one sustain injuries in a motor vehicle crash caused by an intoxicated driver? Tennessee law allows accident victims to pursue compensation for the harm they suffer after an accident due to someone else’s recklessness. Hiring a Sevierville DUI accident lawyer from The Terry Law Firm is the first step toward pursuing the justice and accountability you deserve.
We are a small-town firm with the big-city know-how to successfully represent Tennesseans just like you. Since 1960, our DUI accident attorneys have helped injured people recover the money they need to rebuild their lives. We provide personalized legal services designed to meet your needs and goals. You can count on us to prepare a case strategy that demands full and fair results for you.
Learn more about how we can help you in a free consultation. Contact us online or call The Terry Law Firm today to speak with an experienced drunk driving accident lawyer.
What is Considered Drunk Driving in Sevierville?
Tennessee law defines drunk driving as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above a certain level. While most drivers are subject to the legal limit of 0.08, other groups of drivers, such as those under the age of 21 and motorists with commercial driver’s licenses, are subject to much stricter BAC limits.
A person may be charged with drunk driving if a breath, urine, or blood test shows they have a BAC of at least:
- 0.08 for drivers 21 and older
- 0.04 for commercially licensed drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle
- 0.02 for drivers under the age of 21
Common Types of Injuries from Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk drivers cause serious motor vehicle accidents because intoxication hinders their judgment and perception, leading to dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, running red lights, and drifting in and out of lanes of traffic. Intoxication also impairs reaction time and makes it difficult for drunk drivers to brake or swerve in time to avoid a collision.
Drunk driving accidents can lead to physical injuries such as:
- Lacerations and scarring
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Ligament sprains
- Tendon and muscle strains
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
Suing for Damage After a DUI Accident in Sevierville, TN
You could face severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and other personal and financial losses if a drunk driver hits you. However, you can pursue compensation for these losses by filing a DUI accident insurance claim or lawsuit against the drunk driver. Compensation can include money for:
- Medical and rehabilitation expenses, including hospital bills, surgeries, prescriptions, physical therapy, and more
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earnings and job benefits if a permanent disability prevents you from working
- Pain and suffering
- Visible scarring or disfigurement that impacts your quality of life
If your case goes to trial, you could also receive punitive damages, which may be awarded in a DUI accident lawsuit if the drunk driver engaged in egregious behavior, such as driving while intoxicated despite previous DUI convictions. Punitive damages do not compensate you for a particular loss but to punish the drunk driver for their especially reckless actions.
What Happens if the Drunk Driver is Acquitted or Never Charged?
You may still have the right to recover compensation for a drunk driving accident if the driver is not charged with DUI, has their charges dismissed, or is acquitted at trial. A drunk driving injury case is a civil matter and has a lower standard of proof than a criminal DUI case. A prosecutor in a DUI criminal trial must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver operated their vehicle under the influence of alcohol. However, in a DUI injury case, you only need to prove that it was more likely than not that the other driver was under the influence of alcohol and caused the crash.
Furthermore, acquittal or dismissal of criminal charges does not absolve a drunk driver of liability in a civil case. In other words, someone can be found not guilty of DUI while still being found civilly liable for an accident victim’s injuries. A drunk driving injury lawyer from The Terry Law Firm can thoroughly investigate your case and recover evidence to prove the other driver’s fault for the accident and your injuries.
I’m the Victim of a DUI Accident – What Do I Do?
The aftermath of a DUI accident can be confusing and overwhelming. However, you can protect your well-being while laying the groundwork for a strong DUI accident case by taking the following steps:
- Call the police or 911 right after the accident. Do not attempt to confront the other driver if you believe they are intoxicated.
- Take photos or videos of the accident scene. Include any skid marks on the road, vehicle damage, your injuries, or any physical evidence, like open containers of alcohol in the other driver’s car.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor will ensure you receive proper treatment to give you a chance for the best possible recovery. Your injuries will also be added to your medical record, linking them to the crash. This strengthens your case for compensation.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and instructions. Do everything the doctor says to maximize your recovery. Otherwise, the insurance company could argue you made your injuries worse by not following the doctor’s orders.
- Request copies of the police accident report and medical records. This information is critical to build a drunk driving accident claim.
- Keep any bills, invoices, and receipts of expenses you incur due to the crash. A record of your financial losses will help an attorney place an accurate value on your claim.
Finally, consult a DUI accident lawyer from The Terry Law Firm as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner our firm can begin investigating your case and preparing a persuasive legal claim to recover maximum compensation.
Contact Our Experienced Sevierville Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Today
Compensation is possible if you or a loved one suffered injuries in a crash with an impaired driver. Contact us online or call The Terry Law Firm today to discuss your case with one of our Sevierville drunk driving accident lawyers. The first consultation is free, so you have nothing to lose.
Car Accidents
How Do I Pay for My Car Accident Injuries?
If you have been involved in a car wreck case, there are generally three (3) avenues for payment of medical expenses.
- The first and most common method of payment is for persons who have been injured to pay for their medical care with their own health insurance. This does not create any problems and, in fact, most of the time this is what we recommend at The Terry Law Firm.
- Persons involved in car wreck cases can use something referred to as “med pay” to pay for some of their medical bills associated with their car wreck case. “Med pay” coverage is coverage afforded by your automobile insurance to pay for injuries sustained in the car wreck.
- Occasionally, persons will be on the job working when they are injured in a car wreck. In these circumstances, sometimes it is best to use workers’ compensation to pay for your injuries sustained in a car wreck.
If one of these methods is not available to you, contact The Terry Law Firm at our Morristown, Greeneville, or Sevierville office.
Will My Insurance Rates Go Up If I Use Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Under Tennessee law, insurance carriers cannot raise your insurance as a result of a person utilizing their uninsured motorist coverage. Tennessee law states explicitly that if you are in an accident that is no fault of your own, your insurance carrier cannot raise your insurance rates due to your use of uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage that you purchased.
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