Drunk driving car accidents in Merrillville and across the country present a serious threat. Driving while intoxicated is among the most common causes of serious vehicle collisions and often leads to fatal results. If you have survived one of these incidents, you deserve justice.
At The Law Offices of David W. Holub, we understand the impact drunk driving accidents can have. They may cause serious injuries that prevent you from working, and they often have lasting emotional effects on you and your loved ones. Our skilled car accident attorneys could hold the impaired driver accountable for your harm.
Injuries in a Drunk Driving Car Accident
Injuries are often more severe in Merrillville drunk driving car crashes because alcohol-impaired drivers tend not to brake, swerve, or slow down before impact. Without taking evasive action, drunk drivers can collide with other vehicles at high speeds, potentially leading to lasting physical and emotional consequences. Common injuries include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Facial fractures
- Burns
- Whiplash
- Lacerations
You often need extensive treatment and long-term care for such injuries, making full compensation essential. Our attorneys could answer your questions about how to seek damages for your condition.
What Is the Legal Limit for Alcohol?
Indiana enforces strict legal limits for the amount of alcohol in the bloodstream while driving. Drivers must maintain a blood alcohol concentration below 0.08 percent at all times they are behind the wheel. This limit is even lower for drivers with commercial licenses, who must stay below 0.04 percent even when they are not operating a large vehicle.
It is important to remember that these legal limits apply to criminal charges, and you can still pursue a personal injury claim even if the authorities did not arrest the other driver. If you are able to show a jury that the defendant received a criminal conviction, this evidence could strengthen your civil case; however, you may still obtain the compensation you deserve using other evidence. Our Merrillville-based legal team could help you collect such evidence to build your auto accident case against an alcohol-impaired driver.
Evidence of Impairment
Proving the at-fault driver’s impairment is an important part of building your case after a drunk driving vehicle collision in Merrillville. You can collect several types of evidence to establish the other driver’s condition at the time of the accident. Police reports may note whether the driver failed field sobriety tests, and they often include officers’ observations of signs of impairment, such as:
- Slurred speech
- Smell of alcohol
- Bloodshot eyes
- Unsteady movements
Dashcam or bodycam footage may show the driver’s behavior at the scene. Witness statements may also support your case, especially if someone saw the driver consuming alcohol or driving erratically beforehand. The strongest evidence usually involves the results of a blood, breath, or urine test. If your attorney shows the defendant was over the legal limit at the time of the crash, it could be enough to get the outcome you deserve.
Call a Merrillville Attorney for Help With Your Impaired Driver Car Crash Case
The results of drunk driving car accidents in Merrillville are tragic, particularly because they are usually preventable. If you or a loved one has been hurt due to a crash with an impaired driver, it may be time to explore your legal options. Contact us at The Law Offices of David W. Holub today for a consultation.