Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious safety issue and is one of the leading causes of car accidents on the road in Colorado. Drivers who operate a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs must be held accountable for any harm that they cause while behind the wheel. With over seventy years of combined experience, the Grand Junction drunk driving accident lawyers at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group aggressively advocate for their clients injured by drunk drivers and will fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, nearly one in three fatal car accidents in Colorado in 2017 was caused by a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Under Colorado law, a person can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or a blood level of 5 nanograms or more of delta-9 THC per millimeter. In addition, a driver can be charged with Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) if their BAC is 0.05-0.07%.
Drunk Driving Accidents Cause Serious Injuries and Death
When a drunk driver causes an accident, the victims are often left with serious, life-altering injuries. Because of the diminished reaction time and lack of coordination, accidents involving driving under the influence are often much more violent than the typical crash involving a driver trying to avoid impact as much as possible. Head on collisions and rollover accidents happen far more often when drunk driving is involved, and the ramifications for victims can be permanent.
Some of the most common injuries caused by drunk drivers in Colorado include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injury
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Bulging and herniated spinal discs
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputated limbs
- Severe lacerations and burns
- Internal organ damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis; and
- Death
Given the permanent and life-altering seriousness of these injuries, it is critically important that you hire an experienced Grand Junction drunk driving accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to represent your claims. Accepting an offer from an insurance company for far less than what you are owed and fighting for a full and fair settlement with an attorney like those at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group can mean the difference between having the resources necessary for your recovery or a lifetime of physical and financial burden.
Compensation for Drunk Driving Accidents
If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident, compensation for your injuries includes damages for economic and noneconomic harm. Economic damages include costs for current and future medical bills, lost wages, lost future income and benefits, and property damage. Non-Economic costs include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life. An experienced Grand Junction DUI attorney like those at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group can review the facts of your claim and ensure that you get full and fair compensation for your injuries.
It is important to note that Colorado operates under a modified comparative fault rule for car accidents, including those with drivers who are under the influence. Under this rule, the court determines the degree of fault for every party involved in the accident and reduces their overall award by that amount. In addition, Colorado law dictates that you can only recover from a party deemed more at fault than you. Given the high stakes of modified comparative fault, it is imperative that you seek the legal guidance of an experienced Grand Junction drunk driving accident lawyer to handle your claim.
Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys
At the Cimarron Ridge Legal Group, we are dedicated to the wellbeing of our clients and work tirelessly in their representation. Oftentimes after a drunk driving accident, the insurance companies will offer a quick settlement for far less than what our clients are owed just to try and make the claim go away. We fight to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and keep the insurers at bay while you focus on your recovery.
Contact Our Office Now
If you have been injured by a drunk driver, the clock is already ticking on your claim. Call the office or contact us today at Cimarron Ridge Legal Group to schedule a free consultation of your case with one of our skilled drunk driving accident attorneys in Grand Junction. We will hold drunk drivers accountable for their actions and refuse to let insurance companies take advantage of you with settlement offers far less than what you deserve. Talk to us today.