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There are, on average, 28 victims of fatal drunk driving collisions every day. If you have been injured or have lost a loved one because of a drunk driver, know that you have options.
A Chattanooga drunk driving attorney can advocate for your best interest, lifting your chances of recovering your damages.
Having the right representation by your side can make all the difference. Ali Awad, the CEO lawyer, is ready to counter insurers’ lowball offers and tough negotiation strategies.
With over 20 years of experience and a 99.5% success rate, calling our office could be the difference in your case.
We want you to receive compensation for your medical care, missed work income, out-of-pocket expenses, and more. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm has many resources to help you through such a difficult time.
We will be here for you, from start to finish, as your true ally, fighting for your successful financial recovery. Contact us today by calling (423) 777-8888 to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation case review. We’re ready to help you get started.
What Can a Chattanooga Drunk Driving Attorney Do to Help You?
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm has vast experience with car accident cases, including drunk driving accidents. We have over 20 years of combined experience advocating for people like you.
Our firm has built a reputation for doing everything in our power to protect our clients’ best interests. Handling the details of a personal injury case can be extremely daunting, so we act as a professional voice to not only guide you but also act on your behalf in court or negotiations.
The most common way to resolve a personal injury case is through negotiations with insurers. You can rest assured we have had a fair share of practice in this department!
Our Chattanooga drunk driving accident lawyers are prepared to fight for every penny of compensation that we can on your behalf.
Not many people are comfortable with negotiating settlements with insurers, especially when they are unsure of how to prove fault or document their damages. These are prime reasons for you to partner with a legal professional.
Your chances of recovering what you feel are fair and just are much higher when you have seasoned legal representation at your side.
We Can Help You Seek to Prove a Driver Was Under the Influence
We understand that one of the prime factors of a DUI case is actually proving the driver was under the influence. Thankfully, investigative procedures, eyewitnesses, and new tech like dashcams are extremely helpful in this process.
We also understand that sometimes this process goes way further than claims negotiations, meaning a lawsuit may need to be filed. This becomes the case when the opposing side (usually an insurance company) refuses to settle fairly.
Our team then buckles up for a main event in the courtroom.
We have what it takes to put together a comprehensive legal case with the best chances of proving negligence on the other party and help you move on from this chapter of your life. Our experience trying — and frequently winning — cases in front of juries positions us to assist you through all aspects of your case, from claim to trial and beyond.
The Full-Service Treatment
In addition to the legal representation and case management we provide, we are also able to assist you in getting back to a normal life after your crash. We can come to you to consult with you on your case, and we offer the following value-add services in the wake of your accident:
- Connecting you with a rental car provider
- Finding a quality repair shop for your vehicle
- Getting you paid for loss of use of your vehicle
- Locating a doctor who will not charge you out-of-pocket
- Providing access to pre-settlement loans
- Working to ensure you receive the highest possible settlement
Possible Damages Available in a DUI Accident Injury Case
Because impaired drivers can tend to cause more serious accidents, the outcomes can be catastrophic for injury victims. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm seeks to recover all available losses — or “damages” — on your behalf, including the following:
- Medical bills, including diagnostics, treatment, surgery, hospital stays, and more
- Lost wages, meaning the income you lose while you recover, as well as any permanent reduction in earnings potential
- Out-of-pocket costs for transportation, medical supplies, and other necessities
- Vehicle repair or replacement potentially includes rental vehicle costs
- Pain and suffering damages caused by the mental anguish inflicted
- Funeral and burial expenses for fatal DUI events involving a wrongful death
- Punitive damages for egregious cases that go to trial
Remember to always seek medical treatment immediately after your accident, even if you don’t feel hurt. Reporting your crash to the police and then having your injuries diagnosed are the first steps towards recovering your damages.
Drunk Driving Can Shatter the Peaceful Scene in Chattanooga
Conveniently nicknamed the “Scenic City,” Chattanooga is home to some beautiful history and landscapes. In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and along the Tennessee River, Chattanooga is an increasingly popular city to visit.
As a technological trendsetter, in 2010, Chattanooga launched the first one-gigabit-per-second internet service in the world. This helped revolutionize modern technology and paved the way for many more inspired technological advances.
You’ll find Coca-Cola’s first bottling plant and the oldest continuously run hotel (Red House Hotel) here in Chattanooga as well.
As a historically rich community, you’ll find ghost tours and all of the exciting stories you could have imagined or asked for. Here in Chattanooga, you are ultimately mixing the beauty of American scenery with the finesse of big-city adventures.
Unfortunately, the ability to enjoy all of these sights and sounds can be instantly marred by the bad decisions of others. According to crash data from the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security, Hamilton County had the fourth-highest number of recorded alcohol-related collisions in the state: 4,479 accidents total.
Any time someone chooses to get behind the wheel after drinking or consuming an intoxicating substance, they put others at serious risk.
Driving Under the Influence Means More Than Just Alcohol!
While the term ‘drunk’ is commonly used when discussing DUIs, it can also refer to more than just using alcohol. Driving under the influence includes situations involving any substance that inhibits the driver’s motor functions and/or decision-making.
A person can be considered ‘under the influence’ after having consumed illegal drugs, over-the-counter medicines, or a drug they were prescribed by a doctor. Certain medications automatically cause an increased risk of collisions, which is why their labels will feature clear warnings not to get behind the wheel of a vehicle!
Any time a DUI is suspected by an officer and a breathalyzer test comes up negative, they can request a warrant for a blood test to be administered and then analyzed for the presence of drugs.
Implied Consent and Breathalyzer Tests
The state’s implied consent law deems that all drivers on the road have consented to a breathalyzer test. In the event a police officer has probable cause to ask you to submit one, you are expected by law to comply.
If a person denies a lawful request for a Blood Alcohol (breathalyzer) Test, then they will have their license suspended for one year. The fact that you deny the test can also be used against you in a court setting.
A driver with their license suspended for this reason can apply for a limited license to commute to places like school, work, or even court-mandated treatment, but the punishment is similar to that of a first-time offender minus the jail time and fine.
Tennessee is one of the states that allows a person to deny the administration of a blood test, with the exception of tests ordered via warrant. However, know that officers can obtain a warrant quickly, so always note on your report if you feel there are signs of intoxication.
Observe for Signs of Intoxication at the Accident Scene
Any time you have been involved in an accident with another driver, observe them closely. Their behavior could prompt a breathalyzer reading, field sobriety test, and/or blood test by any responding officer.
Always call for a police respondent any time you have been involved in a collision, especially if the other driver may have been intoxicated. Remain calm at the scene of the crash or at a location close by.
Do not engage in hostile or combative conversations with the other driver(s). Also, do not admit fault or apologize for driving behaviors, as these statements could later be used to deny fault alleged against the other driver.
While waiting for the police to arrive, use all of your senses to closely observe and analyze the other driver’s behaviors. Signs of alcohol or drug intoxication include:
- Slurred speech
- Poor balance
- Irrational behavior
- Sudden mood swings
- Inappropriate laughing or outbursts
- Odor of alcohol
- Slowed reaction times
- Drowsiness
- Loss of motor functions (leading to poor driving)
- Speeding
- Swerving or an inability to maintain a lane
- Aggressive driving
- Driving more than ten mph under the speed limit
- The odor of other drugs, including marijuana
- Dilated pupils
- Teeth clenching or grinding
- Flop sweat
- Flushed face, cheeks, or neck
- Open admissions made by the DUI suspect
DUI Laws In Tennessee
The extent of punishment for a DUI greatly depends on whether this is the perpetrator’s first offense. Every time a person commits another offense of driving under the influence, the punishment gets harsher.
- First-time offenders can expect a minimum of 48 hours in jail, but that can be extended up to 11 months and 29 days. Alongside jail time, the offender will face license revocation for one year, required participation in an alcohol and drug treatment program, restitution, a fine of up to $1,500, fees from any tow services, attorney, court, and the integration of an Ignition Interlock Device. This is a costly offense, with the average expense at almost $5,000, even for first-time offenders.
- Secondary offenders face all of the same costs, from expenses like the Interlock Device and treatment program, but the fine for second-time offenders is up to $3,500, and these offenders may face the seizure of their vehicle. On top of this, jail time is extended to a minimum of 45 days but can reach 11 months and 29 days.
- Third-time offenders face heftier fines of up to $10,000 and a longer stay in the slammer at a minimum of 120 days. If a person reaches a fourth DUI, it becomes a class-E felony, which bumps jail time up to a minimum of one year (365 days).
None of these punishments include child endangerment or vehicular assault/homicide, both of which immediately bump the charge up to a felony.
Fees for the Reinstatement of a Suspended Driver’s License
Aside from the other expenses of a DUI, getting your license reinstated after the revocation period can be another liability. The basic reinstatement fee is $100, with other fees tacked on, such as those to validate your new license, a $50 financial responsibility fee, and a possible $75 failure to surrender license fee.
This process will easily cost the offender over $200 and sometimes more.
Talk To a Chattanooga Drunk Driving Law Firm Today
It is our mission to help you! We endeavor to provide outstanding service to every client we serve, and we’ve built a track record to prove it. We pride ourselves on being there for clients who may not typically have access to legal resources.
Many injury victims desperately need a safe place to turn for guidance, and we understand how scary this situation is. Contact us by phone at (423) 777-8888, online via our contact page, or check us out on social media!
We’ve built a community online with over 1 million Instagram followers, some of whom are previous clients that we have worked for. Search @ceolawyer to learn more about us as a family and a firm.