St. Patrick’s Day Drunk Driving Accidents: Can a Drunk Driver’s Conviction Help Your Claim?
Published in Car Accidents on February 23, 2024
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Driving under the influence of alcohol is not only illegal, but dangerous behavior as the consumption of alcohol can significantly impair a driver’s coordination, vision, and judgment, leading to dangerous situations. Drunk driving is an issue that becomes even more prevalent on certain holidays that often involve heavy drinking, like St. Patrick’s Day. If an individual is involved in a car accident caused by a drunk driver, a conviction for drunk driving can significantly support your claim. The burden of proof in criminal proceedings is much stricter compared to civil cases. Therefore, a criminal conviction of the driver for drunk driving can help uphold the claims of victims of the accident who are seeking compensation for damages caused by the drunk driver’s negligence.
While a drunk driver conviction can help your claim, it is important to remember that you still need to furnish adequate evidence to substantiate your claim against the driver responsible for the accident. That is why it is crucial you partner with a trusted law firm like Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers. Our legal team is dedicated to helping victims of drunk driving accidents understand their rights as it relates to pursuing the compensation they are owed. Speak with one of our drunk driving accident lawyers today for a free case assessment at (617) 391-9001 or fill out a contact form.
How Does a Drunk Driver’s Conviction Affect Your Claim?
Navigating the complexities of legal standards can be daunting, especially when comparing criminal and civil cases.
Criminal Convictions
In criminal law, such as drunk driving cases, the prosecution is tasked with proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This means the evidence must be so convincing that there’s no logical reason to question the defendant’s guilt. If even one juror believes there’s a reasonable doubt, a conviction cannot proceed.
Personal Injury Cases
On the other hand, civil lawsuits like personal injury claims operate under a different threshold. If you were injured in an accident and are seeking financial compensation for your losses, the requirement is to prove that over 50% of the liability for your accident lies with the other party.
This distinction between these two types of legal cases is crucial when considering the impact of a drunk driving conviction on a personal injury claim. A criminal conviction suggests a high level of proof was met, which may support your claim. However, it is important to remember that success in a drunk driving claim requires your lawyer to prove not just that the other driver was impaired by alcohol but also that their impairment directly resulted in your accident. This approach ensures that all facets of your claim are thoroughly supported, reinforcing the need for a careful and detailed presentation of evidence that can be provided by a trusted lawyer.
Can You Recover Compensation for Your Drunk Driving Accident Claim?
After you were injured in a drunk driving accident, you should never have to pay for any subsequent losses you may incur due to the drunk driver’s reckless actions. When filing your claim, you may be eligible to collect damages for your injuries and losses.
The damages you can collect after a drunk driving accident are as follows:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
To begin the process of filing your drunk driving accident claim, contact a trusted lawyer as soon as possible.
Learn How a Drunk Driving Conviction Can Help Your Claim
At Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to navigate the complexities of drunk driving accident cases for our clients. Attorney Dylan Hixson has extensive experience handling various types of personal injury cases, including those involving drunk driving accidents, and is a member of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys, the Boston Bar Association, and National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.
For a no-cost consultation of your drunk driving accident claim, call (617) 391-9001 or fill out a contact form today.