Drunk Driving Car Accident Lawyer in Morristown TN

man drinking beer while driving

Have you suffered injuries in a car crash caused by a drunk driver in Morristown, Tennessee? You deserve to seek justice and financial relief for your injuries and losses from the drunk driver who hit you.

Our Morristown drunk driving car accident attorneys want to guide you through the claims process and fight to hold the other driver responsible for their careless or reckless behavior. Since 1960, The Terry Law Firm has maintained a family tradition of providing attentive legal representation for accident victims in Morristown and throughout East Tennessee. We pride ourselves on having a reputation for offering client service like a small-town firm but with big-city know-how.

If you were injured in a car accident with a drunk driver, turn to The Terry Law Firm for help pursuing accountability and justice. Call us at (423) 403-3595 or contact our firm today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable drunk driving accident lawyer in Morristown.

How Our Lawyers Help People Hurt by Drunk Drivers in Morristown

At The Terry Law Firm, our drunk driving accident attorneys understand how life-altering injuries can have devastating consequences for crash victims. Our legal team helps individuals hurt by drunk drivers pursue maximum compensation by handling their cases so they can focus on healing from their injuries.

Let us help you pursue maximum compensation in your case by:

  • Securing evidence from the crash, including accident scene photos and videos, police accident reports, arrest records, surveillance and traffic camera videos, and eyewitness testimony, for example
  • Evaluating your legal options, including filing insurance claims or pursuing a lawsuit against the drunk driver who hit you
  • Documenting the injuries and disabilities you’ve suffered and calculating your ongoing and future estimated losses
  • Vigorously pursuing compensation for you through a settlement with the drunk driver’s insurance company or by taking your case to trial when necessary to seek compensation and justice for you

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

According to the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, there were 6,114 confirmed alcohol-related traffic accidents statewide in one recent year, with 70 accidents in Hamblen County and 60 in Jefferson County.

The agency reports that approximately 1 in 3 fatal traffic crashes in the state involve an intoxicated driver, and around half of all DUI crashes result in injuries or fatalities. Drivers age 20 to 34 account for about 45 percent of DUI drivers, followed by drivers age 35 to 49, accounting for about 30 percent of DUI motorists. Men account for three-quarters of DUI drivers involved in traffic accidents.

Common Types of Drunk Driving Accident Injuries in Morristown, TN

Because drunk drivers often speed and fail to brake or swerve to avoid collisions, drunk driving accidents can cause severe injuries due to the greater forces involved. Some examples of  personal injuries that a DUI accident victim may suffer in a collision include:

  • Severe lacerations and degloving injuries
  • Burns, including from post-crash vehicle fires
  • Broken bones
  • Ligament sprains and tears
  • Muscle or tendon strains and tears
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Head and facial injuries, including hearing or vision damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Traumatic amputation or limb loss
  • Emotional and mental injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Consequences of Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

Severe injuries from a drunk driving crash can have long-lasting consequences for a victim’s physical, emotional, and financial health. The long-term impact of drunk driving accident injuries can include:

  • Physical pain and distress – Drunk driving accidents can severely injure crash victims, who may experience physical pain and distress due to injuries and subsequent medical treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation.
  • Permanent disabilities – Severe injuries can also lead to permanent disabilities, especially when drunk driving accident victims suffer nerve damage, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or limb loss, for example.
  • Emotional or mental trauma – A violent car crash can cause an accident victim to experience significant emotional and mental trauma that may last for months or years. Crash victims may also experience emotional distress due to temporary or permanent disabilities or visible scarring and disfigurement that interfere with daily life.
  • Financial burdens – Injuries from a drunk driving accident can put a significant financial strain on a crash victim with medical expenses and lost income. Permanent disabilities may also require an accident victim to pay for long-term care and support, which can burden the family’s finances.

Liability of Drunk Drivers in Tennessee

Recovering compensation for injuries and losses sustained in a drunk driving accident requires proof that the drunk driver is liable for the crash.

It is a crime in Tennessee to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, so a driver intoxicated during a crash will likely be found negligent and responsible for the accident. Furthermore, a drunk driver might be liable under a theory of negligence per se, which means that a driver who breaks the law by driving drunk and causes an accident is automatically responsible for the harm they cause.

If the drunk driver is convicted of DUI, their conviction could be evidence of their liability for the crash. However, even if charges are not filed or the driver is acquitted, you can still present evidence of the driver’s intoxication to prove their liability. The standard for proving liability in civil court is much lower than the standard for proving guilt in criminal court.

What Compensation Can I Get from a Morristown Drunk Driving Accident Injury Claim?

A legal claim for injuries you’ve suffered in a Morristown drunk driving accident might provide you with compensation for the financial and personal losses you incur due to the crash, including for:

  • Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation of your injuries, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescription drug costs, purchases of medical and mobility equipment, and physical and occupational therapy
  • Long-term care expenses incurred for permanent disabilities, including home health services, personal assistance, housekeeping and home maintenance services, and installation of disability accommodations like wheelchair ramps and chair lifts
  • Lost income that you incur due to missed time from work or reduced earnings while on part-time or modified duty as you recover from your injuries
  • Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you cannot return to your job or perform other work
  • Physical pain and emotional distress
  • Lost quality of life caused by permanent disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement

Talk to Our Experienced Morristown Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys Today

If you were hurt by a drunk driver, you deserve to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us at (423) 403-3595 or contact us online for a free no-obligation consultation to learn more about how our Morristown drunk driving accident lawyers can help you seek the justice and financial relief you need.

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. 

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 
  3. 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.