Utah Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer

Alcohol is one of the top causes of catastrophic roadway accidents and deaths. Someone who drives drunk and injures someone is responsible for that accident and any harm they might cause. Intoxicated driving is an explicit violation of the law.

If you are involved in a car accident, you can sustain serious injuries. The drunk driver who hit you must be held responsible for their negligence. Hiring the best Utah drunk driving accident lawyer is crucial in apprehending the liable party.

Our Utah drunk driving accident lawyers at Parker & McConkie helped numerous clients hold drunk drivers accountable for the accidents they stirred. Drunk driving accident victims can receive a personal injury claim for their damages. With the help of a Utah drunk driving accident attorney, you can maximize the compensation you can receive.

If you have been injured by a drunk driver in Utah, contact Parker & McConkie today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Utah drunk driving accident lawyers.

How Working with an Experienced Utah Drunk Driving Lawyer Can Help You

Our Utah drunk driving attorney can help you in several aspects of your intoxicated driving accident case. There are reported instances when drunk drivers escape accountability because the plaintiff doesn’t have a legal representative. Auto accidents can get complicated if not handled by an experienced attorney. Here’s how you can benefit from hiring our Utah drunk driving accident attorney:

• Case investigation. Our Utah personal injury attorney can help you uncover the facts surrounding your case. We will carefully assess every perspective of your auto accident and gather facts to hold the liable party accountable.

• Claims negotiation. Victims of DUI accidents have the right to demand compensation from the responsible driver. The law requires the drunk driver who caused the collision to pay for the victim’s essential expenditures.

• Evidence protection. It’s crucial to recover solid shreds of evidence to build a strong personal injury lawsuit. We can help you find compelling evidence to help maximize your claim.

• Case representation. A DUI accident resolves out of court in most cases. However, there are instances when the drunk driver refuses to accept liability. We can represent you on your behalf to defend your case in this situation.

How Dangerous Are Utah Drunk Driving Accidents

A DUI collision is a serious accident that can cause grave damage. Understanding the statistics behind DUI accidents in Utah will help drivers and pedestrians understand the prevalence of this accident.

In 2015, Utah reported 10,265 individual fatalities caused by drunk driving accidents. In addition, intoxicated driving is responsible for almost 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. Furthermore, the country reported nearly 111 million drunk driving reports each year.

Utah Drunk Driving Laws

The state of Utah enacted several laws covering the legal process of DUI-related accidents. Here are several legal statutes covering DUI accidents in Utah.

• UT Code § 41-6a-501. This section of the law provides the legal context of a DUI accident. According to the written rules, this subpart of Utah’s vehicle code defines a DUI accident.

• UT Code § 41-6a-502. This particular section of the state’s vehicle code states that a driver with a BAC level of 0.5% or higher may not operate a vehicle. The scope of this law is not limited to alcoholic beverages but also includes illegal drugs.

• UT Code § 41-6a-509. This section of Utah’s vehicle code mandates the suspension or revocation of a driver’s license when they are indicted for DUI. The law will suspend the vehicle operator’s license for up to 120 days, depending on their DUI charges.

• UT Code § 41-6a-517. This subpart of the state’s Traffic code provides a different standard for DUI. Other than a 0.5% blood alcohol content, an authority can arrest a driver if they reasonably believe they are drunk driving.

Utah also has a zero-tolerance policy for intoxicated minors who are caught driving. Generally, an adult can be convicted of DUI with a 0.5% or higher BAC. However, in cases of a juvenile DUI, having any measurable amount is a violation of the law.

Utah’s “Dram Shop” Laws

A drunk driver may not be fully liable for the injuries sustained by the victim. An injured client can hold the alcohol shop owner accountable for the accident in certain circumstances. The dram shop law has been passed in several states in the United States.

In Utah, UT Code § 32B-15-201 constitutes the state’s dram shop law. According to state law, a victim can hold the alcohol vendor accountable if they sold alcohol to an underage individual or a person with evident signs of intoxication. Furthermore, an alcohol vendor can also be held liable if they sell alcohol to someone with known drinking problems.

Drunk Driving Accidents Have Serious Consequences for Accident Victims

After a DUI accident, you must seek immediate medical care. Motor vehicle crashes often bring catastrophic physical injuries. You can further worsen your condition by refusing emergency medical attention. The best advice in this situation is not to reject an emergency medical service even if you don’t have evident signs of physical injuries.

• Traumatic brain injury. Head injuries are often dismissed as a simple headache or dizziness. However, there are instances when these signs align with TBI. It’s vital to solicit a medical opinion from a professional to diagnose a TBI properly.

• Broken bones. Fractures have varying degrees of severity. A break in your bone can range from a hairline fracture or a complete fracture. Though bones may heal, it might take you an extended amount of time to fully recover from a broken bone.

• Crush injuries. A crush injury is caused by the entrapment of a body part from a collision. The medical team must remove you from the entrapment to prevent further damage.

• Burns. In some cases, a car collision may incite a fire. This could cause a victim to suffer from burns and asphyxiation.

Compensation Available to Utah Drunk Driving Accident Victims

Like every personal injury case, injured clients may receive monetary compensation from their defendants. However, they will need to prove that the driver caused the accident due to their neglect. Suppose a victim could hold the negligent party responsible for the accident. In that case, here’s what a victim can receive.

• Economic damages. A drunk driving accident victim is entitled to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and property damages. Economic damage affects the victim’s financial resources. The responsible party is bound by the law to compensate the victim’s financial losses.

• Non-economic damages. DUI victims often suffer from emotional trauma or mental health issues after the accident. They may also lose their family member because of this. In this case, a victim can demand non-economic damages from the defendant. These damages do not affect the victim’s finances.

• Punitive damages. Punitive damage is more of a punishment than compensation. The court may appoint these damages to the defendant if they believe that the defendant’s action was reckless.

Types of Utah Drunk Driving Crashes

Various types of drunk driving crashes exist depending on the events’ nature. The severity of the victim’s injuries may depend on what kind of car crash they encountered.

• Rear-end collision. This type of crash occurs when a drunk driver follows the car in front of them too closely. This type of crash is caused by a delayed response and the inability to navigate the road safely.

• Head-on collision. This type is more severe than a rear-end collision. Often, these crashes produce the most severe injuries. A head-on crash typically occurs because another driver changed lanes or swerved without a signal.

• T-bone collision. This collision happens when a car collides with the side of another vehicle. This crash is called a T-bone collision because both cars form the letter T. This type of crash is commonly caused by not stopping at the red light of an intersection. Car occupants who sit on the collision side suffer the most severe injuries.

• Side sweep collision. This type of crash happens when both cars driving side by side collide with each other. Though this does not cause as many injuries as the previous types, side sweep crashes can cause property damages.

Steps to Take After Your Utah Drunk Driving Accident

Accidents caused by an irresponsible driver often result devastatingly. Victims of DUI who sustained a serious injury must hold the at-fault driver responsible for their damages. If you are in this situation, it’s vital to know the steps you must take to minimize your compensation.

• Seek medical attention. Calling emergency medical services after an accident will minimize the risk of your injuries. It’s a rule of thumb to let the emergency medical team assess you even if you don’t see or feel any signs of injuries.
• Call the authorities. A police officer will need to write police reports documenting the accounts of the accident. You can use this as proof later when your accident lawyer builds your case.
• Preserve evidence. After the accident, evidence is all over the place. Your party needs to take as many photos or videos of the accident scene. If possible, you can also ask for witness accounts to improve your chances of winning the case.
• Take legal action. You need to find an experienced attorney as soon as possible. If you plan on taking your case to civil courts, you will need to build a solid legal case. Hiring the right lawyer will make things much easier for you.

Why Choose Parker & McConkie to Handle Your Utah Drunk Driving Case

Parker & McConkie is a personal injury law firm serving Utah residents for 40+ years. We have a track record of successful settlement negotiation and case representation. In our most recent auto accident case, we were able to help our plaintiff recover $1.6 million in a settlement.

Moreover, our team of esteemed lawyers is recognized by multiple awarding bodies. Here are some of the recognitions our reputable lawyers received:

• Atty. James W. McConkie, II, received Top Rated Medical Malpractice Attorney in Salt Lake City, UT by SuperLawyers from 2017 to 2013 and 2021. Atty. Bradley H. Parker also received the same recognition in 2009-2010 and 2020-2021.

• Our lawyers are recognized by The National Trial Lawyers Top 100.

Our personal injury law firm functions on a contingency fee basis. We provide free legal consultation for all our clients. In this initial consultation, we educate our clients about their cases and elaborate on the best ways to tackle their DUI.

Contact an Experienced Utah Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Consultation

Drunk driving accidents are more common than most people imagine. If you are involved in this situation, you need to seek the help of experienced Utah personal injury attorneys. Our Utah DUI accident lawyer at Parker & McConkie provides free case evaluation for your personal injury case.

You can speak with our Utah drunk driving lawyer by calling our law firm at (801) 845-0440. Alternatively, you can also reach us by filling out the online contact form on our website’s contact page.