Drunk driving is a serious problem in Arizona. Every year, hundreds of drivers in Arizona get behind the wheel while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. At Sargon Law Group, we are passionate about pursuing justice for those injured or killed in driving under the influence (DUI) accidents. We can help injured victims and surviving family members recover financial compensation and move forward. Call (623) 225-5635 for a free consultation today.
How Our Avondale Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers Can Help
Hiring an Arizona drunk driving accident lawyer immediately after a collision involving a drunk driver can come with several benefits. For example, it can give you greater power when going up against the at-fault party’s insurance company. An insurer will take your claim more seriously with a drunk driving accident lawyer in your corner. A drunk driving accident attorney can take many actions toward achieving a just resolution on your behalf, including:
- Returning to the scene of the accident to investigate.
- Collecting evidence that proves that the other driver was intoxicated.
- Speaking to eyewitnesses and collecting signed statements.
- Hiring qualified experts to testify on your behalf.
- Taking over insurance claim negotiations for you.
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary, for fair compensation.
Statistics from the Arizona Department of Transportation for 2020 state that 4,506 car accidents were alcohol-related, resulting in 2,863 injuries and 181 deaths. These accidents could have been prevented had the drunk drivers made more responsible decisions. If you are a victim or survivor of a DUI accident in Arizona, an attorney can help you hold the drunk driver accountable.
Arizona Drunk Driving Accident Laws
In Arizona, a driver is legally too drunk to drive if he or she has a blood alcohol content (BAC) level at or above 0.08 percent. This limit is cut in half, however, for commercial drivers (0.04 percent). Furthermore, any detectable amount of alcohol in the system of an underage driver who is 21 or under can result in a DUI charge.
If an intoxicated driver causes a car accident, he or she can be held civilly responsible for the victim’s injuries and losses. This means that the drunk driver’s car insurance company will have to pay for the victim’s medical bills and property repairs. It is up to the victim, however, to prove that the driver was driving under the influence and caused the wreck.
Proving a DUI accident case in Arizona requires clear and convincing evidence against the party allegedly at fault for the crash. Evidence may come in the form of a BAC test, police report, arrest records, eyewitness statements or expert testimony. It is the plaintiff’s burden to prove his or her claim as more likely to be true than not true. An Avondale car accident attorney can help with this burden of proof.
Arizona Dram Shop Laws and Social Host Liability
In Arizona, it is possible to hold a third party, or someone other than the drunk driver, responsible for a DUI accident in some circumstances. There is a dram shop law that states that an alcohol vendor can be held legally and financially responsible for the injuries caused by an intoxicated person if the vendor furnished that person with alcohol while he or she was obviously intoxicated.
In addition, a social host at a house or party can be held responsible for a drunk driving accident if they knowingly give someone under the legal drinking age alcohol. Discuss the possibility of dram shop or social host liability with a Phoenix personal injury attorney so that you understand the full extent of your legal rights after a drunk driving accident.
Injured by a Drunk Driver in Avondale, Arizona? We Can Help
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a drunk driving accident in Avondale, contact Sargon Law Group to schedule a free consultation with our Avondale personal injury attorneys. You may have the right to bring a claim against the drunk driver and/or another party in pursuit of justice and financial compensation. We are committed to helping clients recover the results that they deserve. Our team of Phoenix car accident attorneys work hard to hold reckless and irresponsible drivers accountable for their actions, including drunk drivers.
Find out if you have grounds for a legal claim during a free consultation today. We make home and hospital visits when necessary. Call (623) 225-5635 or contact us online to learn more.