Victims of Drunk Driving in Arizona

According to the CDC, alcohol-related crashes in the U.S. cost approximately 51 billion dollars every year and the Office for Victims of Crimes estimates that 30 percent of Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lifetime. Drunk drivers and those that enable drunk drivers should be held responsible for their actions.

Who can be held responsible?

The Driver: Driving while drunk goes beyond ordinary negligence. It is a crime. Alcohol is usually considered an aggravating factor in car accidents. In the criminal courts, an aggravating factor is a reason why someone who has pled or been found guilty receives a harsher sentence. In a civil case, it may support an award of punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to reform or deter the defendant from repeating the reckless behavior that caused your damages and/or injury.

The Alcohol Supplier: If a bar or restaurant supplies alcohol to someone who is obviously drunk or underage, they may be responsible for the damages and losses suffered by you and your family. These claims are often referred to as dram shop claims. In reviewing claims involving drunken driving, it is important to understand that there may be more than one entity responsible for a client’s damages and more than one source of recovery.

Help through the Criminal Courts

In addition to civil charges, drunk drivers are generally subject to criminal charges. As such, you may be entitled to recover some of your damages through victim assistance and compensation programs. The criminal court may order the drunken driver to pay restitution. An attorney experienced in representing victims of crimes can help you navigate the criminal process and maximize your right to restitution.

Drunk driving accidents cause tremendous amounts of suffering and there are several organizations that are working to not only reduce alcohol-related accidents but eliminate drunk driving accidents. These organizations also offer programs and information for people whose lives have been affected by drunk drivers. If you would like more information about resources for victims of drunk driving accidents, you can contact the following organizations: Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, Impaired Driving (Drugs & Alcohol) Safety Program, Remove Intoxicated Drivers-USA, and Witness Justice.