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In some instances, no matter how closely you follow the rules of the road, the negligence of other motorists around you could result in your suffering injuries in an auto collision. This is certainly the case when a driver gets behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
When you are hurt in a drunk driving accident in Melbourne due to the recklessness of another person, let our trusted car accident attorneys help you understand your legal options, navigate the claims process, and advocate on behalf of your best interests. We have many years of experience representing clients in and out of the courtroom and are not afraid to fight tenaciously for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Unfortunately, drunk driver accidents tend to be worse than regular car accidents. This is because alcohol impairment causes a driver to have significantly reduced perception-reaction time. In some instances, a drunk driver may be involved in an accident where they do not even hit the brakes, or they run right into another motorist without even realizing they were going to hit someone. Because of this, drunk driving auto crashes in Melbourne can result in catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, paralysis, amputations, burns, and, sadly, death.
The stereotype is that these accidents occur after one or two in the morning when the bars close down and people that have been out drinking all night are on their way home. While this is a common occurrence and avoiding driving between midnight and 4 am is an excellent way to decrease the risk of being involved in one of these wrecks, drunk driving incidents occur at all times of the day. It just depends on where that person was when they had too much to drink and decided to operate a vehicle. Staying alert to surroundings and practicing safe defensive driving can help avoid a crash or lessen the risk for one.
The compensation sought after any accident resulting in injury is referred to as damages. For drunk driving car wrecks in Melbourne, an injured motorist can seek damages for both their economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages are meant to reimburse the injured party for the financial impact of the wreck. This can include past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, or loss of earning capacity. Economic damages can also cover the cost of having to be re-educated if the person is unable to make a living doing what they were doing before.
Non-economic damages provide compensation for the impacts of an accident that are not financial in nature. This includes pain and suffering, inconvenience, disfigurement, scarring, and emotional trauma. Non-economic damages also relate to how much an event has impacted the person’s ability to participate in their usual activities, hobbies, exercises, or play with their kids or grandkids.
Instead of having the purpose of reimbursing an injured party or helping return their life to normal after an accident, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious behavior. These damages are not commonly awarded and are not an option in every car accident or personal injury claim. However, because people are not permitted to operate motor vehicles when under the influence of drugs or alcohol due to its illegality and known danger when a drunk driver is involved in an accident, the other motorist can seek punitive damages.
Drunk driving accidents in Melbourne have the potential to impact every part of a motorist’s life. When you sustain harm in one of these wrecks, let our team of dedicated attorneys help you understand and protect your legal rights, pursue the compensation you need to get back on your feet and hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions. Reach out to us today at Norden Leacox Accident & Injury Law to schedule a free consultation to learn more about the process.
